Wausau restructuring talks include combining high schools, closing elementary schools
WAUSAU − Restructuring is back at the forefront of the Wausau School District and parents, staff and the community have mixed emotions about what could mean school closures, extra bussing time and bigger class sizes.
“I’m kind of torn right now. Change is hard, but I also think it could potentially be good,” said Jennifer Nelson, of Wausau, the parent of two elementary-aged children. “I think there are so many factors, it’s hard to say.”
Talk of restructuring is not new to Wausau. School Board President James Bouché remembers it being discussed years ago when he taught for the district.
“We had talked about the athletic point of view of having one high school,” Bouché said. “The discussion has always been there in the community.”
Wausau District Superintendent Dr. Keith Hilts said the discussion restarted prior to 2020, but was curtailed by COVID-19 for two years. The conversation is back on the table with dwindling enrollment, financial challenges and equal access to academic programs as the driving forces behind the revitalized interest.
“Something has got to be done,” Bouché said. “Economics are not going to change. Demographics are not going to change.”
The district currently serves about 8,000 students. It encompasses three high schools, a virtual school, two middle schools, 13 elementary schools, three charter schools, a forest school and 4K classrooms spread among four elementary schools.
Enrollment has continued to decline since 2016. According to the 2022-2023 Demographic Report, enrollment in grades 4K-12 decreased since last year by 118 students for a total district enrollment of 7,873.
“Couples are not having as many children,” Bouché said. He said this trend is happening all over the state.
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction reported a 0.85% decline in September school enrollment this year versus last year. Kindergarten enrollment declined 1.87%.
Lower enrollment numbers mean less funding for schools. The district is given money per pupil.
School Board Vice President Lance Trollop said during the last 10 years the district has lost 1,000 students. Decreasing numbers and recent inflation has created a situation where funds are tight.
Equal access to programs is another factor behind the proposed changes. For example, Wausau East High School has an automotive lab, and Wausau West does not. In turn, Wausau West has an engineering and robotics program not found at Wausau East.
In May, the School Board created two subcommittees made up of community members, parents, staff and business leaders. One subcommittee focused on the elementary schools, and the other subcommittee focused on the high schools.
The subcommittees met throughout the summer and have spent the last couple months sharing their ideas with staff, parents, students and the community.
Two high schools serving different age groups is the plan with the best potential, according to the high school subcommittee. This plan has sophomores, juniors and seniors attending Wausau West High School, while eighth and ninth graders would move to Wausau East High School. Horace Mann and John Muir Middle Schools would serve fifth through seventh graders.
The elementary subcommittee presented two ideas, both involve closing elementary schools. The first idea is to close Lincoln, Rib Mountain and Hewitt-Texas. The second option would close an additional two schools − Grant and Franklin. Three of those schools would serve charter schools, alternative programs and possibly a child care center. Two of the schools would be sold.
“We aren’t Milwaukee. We aren’t Madison. People like small,” said Wausau resident Leah Kieffer. “That’s my concern. We like our small community schools, and I don’t want that to go away.”
Kieffer has two elementary students that attend Hewitt-Texas, a school that is on the list of possible closures. Kieffer said she likes the small class sizes and the school’s proximity to her home. She said if the restructure goes through, she will more than likely transfer her kids to a private school.
According to a chart presented during a Nov. 16 community meeting, combining Hewitt-Texas, a school that has a an average class size of 16, with Riverview, a school that has an average class size of 23.9, would result in an average class size of 21.9 students. The chart showed the largest average class size of 24.4 would be a result of combining Rib Mountain and South Mountain.
Wausau resident Tiffany Kruiet has two children in the Wausau School District. Her youngest is part of the Wausau Area Montessori Public Charter School. This school uses the Montessori method of education, which encompasses multi-age classrooms and intertwined subjects.
“It could be a good thing for the younger one, depending on what they decide,” Kruiet said. “It would be nice for the Montessori to get their own building.”
According to one of the scenarios the Montessori program could move into one of the closed schools.
Kruiet also has a child in middle school. She isn’t as excited for the changes that might affect him.
“I’m concerned about my older one going to two different schools, one high school and then having to switch to a different school,” Kruiet said.
The district has had two community meetings at the high schools and has been attending elementary PTO meetings in hopes of getting feedback from parents and the community regarding the proposed plans. The informational meetings drew about 100 people each, but over 700 have watched the recorded Nov. 16 meeting online, Hilts said.
Those in attendance have voiced concerns over transportation, athletics, the loss of community schools and traditions, and retaining staff.
“Transportation is always going to be a situation, a bump in the road. Sometimes a big bump,” Bouché said.
Parents expressed concern about traffic across the bridge and bus rides potentially extended to an hour.
Hilts said once there is a plan, transportation experts will go to work.
A drop in athletic opportunities also has some parents worried, but the athletic directors of both high schools said they are excited for the possibility to create an intramural sports program and offer extensive clubs and activities.
“Not only could we fill all our levels of our current sports that we offer, but now we could offer extended offerings off of that,” said Wausau East Activities Director Kurt Vanden Heuvel in the Future of the Wausau District video.
Trollop said the district also plans to retain all district staff as part of the restructure. He said the district is still hiring every year and that even with less positions, attrition would even it out.
According to Hilts the district has received “lots” of feedback from the community.
“What we have found is that when people first hear about this they are quite concerned and opposed,” Hilts said. “But once they hear the challenges we are facing they are at least neutral if not supportive.”
Restructuring is still in the exploring stage and community members are encouraged to voice their opinions.
“We want to make the best choice. We are, as board members, listening very carefully,” Bouché said. “Something has got to be done. Economics are not going to change. Demographics are not going to change. We want to give our students and families and staff options and opportunities to choose what is best for the students.”
The school board will make the final decision on a restructuring plan; the change does not have to go to a referendum. A decision from the school board could come as early as February, and a plan could be in place by the 2024-25 school year.
Information on the proposed plans can be found on the district website at www.wausauschools.org. If you would like to ask a question or provide feedback, a link is provided on the website.
Contact Wausau Daily Herald reporter Jennifer Poyer at jpoyer@gannett.com.
More:Public weighs in on Rib Mountain State Park plans, which include more skiing, cycling
This article originally appeared on Wausau Daily Herald: Wausau School District talks include closing, combining schools
