GBAPS
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Home to the 2025 NFL draft, Green Bay’s preparations began in November of last year.
The big question is – Should kids have off of school?
Green Bay Area School District Director of Communications Lori Blakeslee says yes.
“This really is a once in a lifetime opportunity for our community… I think as close knit as this community is and its how we get behind our local team, that this is really a great opportunity for our staff to be able to volunteer during the draft, its an opportunity for students and families to be able to participate and I think overall this has been positive for us to have those three days off, ” Blakeslee says.
According to Wisconsin State Law, public schools must begin classes after September 1st.
Green Bay and Ashwaubenon districts submitted a waiver to the Department of Public Instruction back in November 2023 to start early.
The driving factor for starting school early this year is the location of two elementary schools. Beaumont Elementary and Jackson Elementary are both walking distance to Lambeau Field, which is going to cause some traffic during the draft.
The school district sensed safety concerns keeping schools open during the draft.
“The staff doesn’t really have an option of being five to ten minutes late, right? Students are in the building waiting for them, so it’s important that staff can be into work on time,” Blakeslee mentions.
Kansas City schools went virtual, and Detroit’s did not close. However, taking the lead from previous draft cities is not always full-proof.
“Looking at other previous cities that have held the draft, thinking about how Green Bay is sort of a small town, right and its a lot of people coming into our community, ” Blakeslee says.
Giving students off during the draft also frees up resources for the community.
Blakeslee says, “we are being contacted about our facilities and since we don’t have school how they can use those for either parking or having closer resources at some of those schools nearby.”
Green Bay Area Public School District canceled school for April 23rd, 24th, and 25th and Ashwaubenon School District canceled for April 24th and 25th.
For the Green Bay Area School Districts calendar for the 2024-2025 academic school year, follow this link.
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