Green Bay School District recommends closing Howe Elementary, making Washington Middle K-8

Danielle DuClos, Green Bay Press-Gazette
·3 min read
Howe Elementary School pictured on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020, in Green Bay, Wis.
Howe Elementary School pictured on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020, in Green Bay, Wis.

GREEN BAY — The Green Bay School District is proposing to close Howe Elementary and convert Washington Middle to a 4K-8 school.

Over the last year, the district voted to close and consolidate three schools based on recommendations from a facilities consulting firm and community task force. The two groups suggested closing 11 schools in addition to the downtown district office at 200 S. Broadway.

Washington Middle was originally recommended to close, despite receiving over $5.6 million in capital investments since 2010, according to the district's fixed assets. The recommendation to close Washington, with a student population that is 52% Hispanic, was met with strong opposition from the Latino community and calls to consider it as a 4K-8 site.

Howe Elementary, which is 33% Black and 22% Hispanic, was not among the original closure recommendations. About 93% of Howe's students are considered economically disadvantaged, according to 2022-23 enrollment data from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

The school has an ideal capacity of 525 students with a September enrollment count of 372. Washington Middle has 711 students as of September. According to the district's facilities consultant, ATS&R, combining Howe and Washington would exceed Washington's ideal capacity of 980 students.

Howe is also a community school which acts as a neighborhood hub that supports students, families and neighbors by providing access to academic, emotional, health and social services, according to the school's website. It's had about $320,000 invested in maintenance and improvements since 2010.

Washington Middle School located at 314 S Baird St. in Green Bay, Wis.
Washington Middle School located at 314 S Baird St. in Green Bay, Wis.

Boundary Adjustment Advisory Committee to meet Feb. 28 to review two scenarios

At its Feb. 28 meeting, the district's Boundary Adjustment Advisory Committee will review two boundary scenarios. One scenario would make Franklin Middle School a 4K-8 or Franklin a 4K-6 and West High a 7-12 school.

The other option would transform Langlade Elementary, McAuliffe Elementary and Washington Middle into 4K-8 schools. Making Washington a 4K-8 would mean that Howe Elementary would close, according to the proposal.

The district's consultant, Woolpert, won't be recommending scenarios that close Washington Middle School, according to a district press release.

"It was not possible to come up with a reasonable boundary solution that did not result in overcrowding at Edison Middle School," the release said.

After the meeting, the consultant will make revisions based on the committee's feedback, according to the district. Then the district will present those revised options to the public for review from March 12-15.

The Boundary Committee will present its final recommendations to the board in June.

Howe Elementary
Howe Elementary

District cites bridge work for recommending Howe Elementary close.

The district recommends closing Howe because the Wisconsin Department of Transportation will potentially reconstruct the Mason Street Bridge that runs over the school in 2032.

The district says this raises "some potential safety concerns," according to its release.

The district also says that Howe and Washington both serve the Navarino Neighborhood.

More: Why is Green Bay closing schools?

How to tune into the boundary committee meetings.

The Boundary Committee will meet virtually at 6 p.m. Feb. 28 to discuss the scenarios. The meeting will be livestreamed on the district's YouTube page @gbapsstream5809.

The tentative schedule for future meetings is:

  • March 12-14 in person

  • April 2 virtually

  • April 30-May 12 in person

  • May 14 in person

  • May 21 virtual

  • June 10 in person final presentation of recommendations to the board

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 recommends closing Howe Elementary