The Manitowoc Public School Board will decide which two of the district's six elementary schools it will close, and will restructure the district's two middle schools. PC: Fox 11 Online
MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The city of Manitowoc is looking at buying a property from the school district for $1.
On Monday, the Manitowoc Common Council Committee of the Whole will meet to discuss and determine whether to move forward with a potential offer to purchase the Madison School property from the Manitowoc School District for $1.
If supported, the offer would then be formally presented to the MPSD Board of Education.
In December, the school district decided to close Jackson and Madison Elementary Schools as part of a major restructuring plan.
The restructuring will save the district a one-time amount of $6.6 million from current building projects for the two schools, plus about $2 million per year from staff cuts. The district also planned to lay off 12 teachers and 32 support staff as part of the restructuring.
The Madison School site was originally owned by the city of Manitowoc and was gifted to the school district in the early 1950s for the purpose of constructing the school. In addition, the city currently owns property adjacent to the Madison School site, creating a unique opportunity for coordinated planning and redevelopment.
Both the city and the school district believe that working together in the best interest of taxpayers will position the community for thoughtful, strategic development. The property is currently zoned for residential and conservancy uses, and future decisions will prioritize maximizing community benefit while preserving the land’s natural character.
“Madison School has meant a great deal to this neighborhood and to our community for generations. Many families, including my own friends and neighbors, have deep connections to this place. As we look to the future, it’s important that we honor that history while making responsible decisions for the taxpayers we serve. Over the past several years, the city has been working hard to thoughtfully and successfully redevelop properties across Manitowoc, and this site represents another exciting opportunity in a truly beautiful location. By working closely with MPSD, we can ensure the Madison property is utilized in a way that strengthens the surrounding neighborhood and benefits the entire community,” said Manitowoc mayor Justin Nickels.
If the Common Council votes to advance the offer, the Board of Education will receive it at a special meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 28. In accordance with Board policy, the proposal would then be referred to the Board’s Finance and Facilities Committee for review on Tuesday, May 5, with a recommendation to follow for consideration by the full board.
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