Residents gather for a Wausau School Board meeting on possible restructuring. MWC photo by Mike Leischner
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — The Wausau School Board held a meeting Monday to officially receive a proposal to restructure the district, including the potential closure of five elementary schools and moving to a one high school, two campus format for secondary schools.
Superintendent Keith Hilts told the media before Monday’s meeting that the plan has been in the works for months, and was made with careful consideration for the public input that’s been gathered during that time. “All of the feedback is there in one way or another,” said Hilts. “If an idea had some merit we certainly looked at it. If it was counter to where we were going, we certainly considered that to make sure that it helps us to distill and vet our own idea.”
The district also isn’t done taking feedback as well. Monday’s proposal is still in the early stages, especially with regard to the changes at the elementary levels. “We want to continue to work with our child care partners, our 4K educators, and our charter schools to make sure that when we select schools to be reallocated, that they are the right schools.
“We still have some work to do on the elementary end,” added Hilts.
Not everyone was pleased with Monday’s presentation. Several of the nine people who provided public input made it clear that they don’t support the plan or would like to see the district delay action to keep the incoming Freshman and Sophomore classes from having to make another adjustment in the middle of their high school careers.
Board members decided to take no action on the measure, citing a need for more information on issues such as transportation and staffing. Both of those issues will take time to iron out, meaning further action on the matter is on hold for now. Hilts did promise the board members updates on those issues as appropriate, possibly as often as every two weeks.
Monday’s meeting lasted a whopping four hours and 25 minutes between public comment, presentation, and discussion by board members. Dozens of people took in the meeting in person at the Wausau West auditorium. Nearly 300 people were also tuned in to the live stream on YouTube for all or part of the meeting.
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