Green Bay School District introduces third plan to change school boundaries

GREEN BAY — The Green Bay School District is introducing new scenarios for closing schools and adjusting boundaries as the district looks to consolidate. The community Boundary Adjustment Advisory Committee plans to review the new plans Tuesday evening after it rejected two previous options recommended by the district and its consultant, Woolpert.

The district said in a media release that there is no concrete timeline for when the boundary adjustments would take effect, especially with some changes contingent on a successful capital referendum campaign. The district did say no changes would happen next school year, aside for those associated with schools closing this spring.

Here's what's in the plans:

What changes are in the new boundary plans?

One option would build a new west side elementary school on Kennedy Elementary's property. That new building would house students from Keller, Kennedy and MacArthur elementary schools. This recommendation has stayed consistent since it was first introduced in June 2023.

Elmore Elementary would close, splitting its students between Lincoln and Chappell elementary schools. In this scenario, Chappell would remain open. Under the previous plans, it was recommended to close.

Beaumont Elementary's boundaries are still being recommended to extend east to the edge of the Fox River, taking over much of Tank Elementary's attendance area south of Mason Street. Tank is closing after this school year and consolidating with Lincoln.

If the Green Bay School Board approves the extension of Beaumont's boundary east, Tank students who move to Lincoln in the 2024-25 school year can remain there if they want. They would not have to move to Beaumont.

The district wants to consolidate Doty and Langlade elementary schools, but the advisory committee will ultimately decide which to close.

A portion of the Nicolet Elementary attendance boundary is now being recommended to move to Sullivan Elementary, and Martin Elementary's boundary would move to north to Deckner Avenue.

One of the plans also includes moving the Webster Elementary boundary south to state Highway 172.

Alternate options include building a smaller elementary school on Kennedy's site and splitting MacArthur students between the new elementary school and King Elementary. There is also an option to split Elmore students between Chappell, Fort Howard and Lincoln elementary schools in the case a capital referendum fails.

Where can the community learn more about the proposed boundary changes?

Tuesday's committee meeting is open to the public, though there is not a community feedback opportunity. It is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. at the district office, 200 S. Broadway.

On May 7, two public presentations are planned at the Neville Public Museum, 210 Museum Place, at 12:15 and 6 p.m. for the community to hear more about the proposed changes.

The district also plans to have a community feedback survey available on its website starting May 7.

Danielle DuClos is a Report for America corps member who covers K-12 education for the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Contact her at dduclos@gannett.com. Follow on Twitter @danielle_duclos. You can directly support her work with a tax-deductible donation at GreenBayPressGazette.com/RFA or by check made out to The GroundTruth Project with subject line Report for America Green Bay Press Gazette Campaign. Address: The GroundTruth Project, Lockbox Services, 9450 SW Gemini Drive, PMB 46837, Beaverton, Oregon 97008-7105.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Green Bay School District introduces third plan for boundary changes