GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – After their first two boundary change proposals were met with lackluster public support, the Green Bay Area Public School District (GBAPS) presented “Scenario C” of their plan.
Tasked with overcoming declining enrollment and tightening budgets, officials are recommending some elementary schools close or consolidate. At a boundary adjustment advisory committee Tuesday, consultants laid out the plans.
“Consolidation of Kennedy, Keller and MacArthur and construction of a new west side elementary school on the Kennedy site,” Woolpert Consultant Justin Rich said.
That proposal is for a 700-student school. But the committee favored an alternative plan with different boundaries.
“Rather than constructing a school for 700 students, it would be a school slightly smaller for 600 students,” Rich said.
Scenario C also looks to consolidate Elmore Elementary into Chappell and Lincoln Elementary Schools, as well as have Doty Elementary consolidate into Langlade.
“The consolidation would result in the utilization for Webster increasing to 78%, then the utilization for Langlade will be dependent on any addition that’s required in order to accommodate the new students,” Rich said. “We know that there would be more students than there’s currently space for.”
There is also an alternative proposal to close Langlade Elementary. Additionally, there would be boundary changes to various other schools. The committee gave their thoughts for district leadership to consider.
The two previously introduced scenarios would have closed Chappell, Elmore, MacArthur, Doty, Howe and Webster Elementary Schools. It also included conversions for what grade levels would attend certain schools.
The public will have a chance to weigh in on the changes next week. The item could then go in front of the school board in June.
None of the changes would go into effect for the 2024-25 school year. District leaders say it’s unlikely they’d be implemented for the following academic year.
The district is also expecting a fall referendum to play a part in some of these changes.
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