Manitowoc Public School District is seeking public input on a plan to close one of its six elementary schools to save costs and redirect funds towards repairing other school buildings. Superintendent James Feil emphasized that the decision on which school to close will consider factors like building condition, enrollment capacity, and community feedback. The district faces financial challenges due to insufficient state funding, declining enrollment, and the need for extensive maintenance on aging school facilities. The closure is part of a potential three-phase plan, starting with elementary schools, followed by middle schools potentially consolidating, and concluding with a future referendum for high school upgrades by 2040.
