The Manitowoc Public School District is considering a few grade alignment changes. Under the plan, the district’s elementary schools would become 5K-5th grade schools. Stangel Elementary School students and staff would all move to Riverview Early Learning Center, which would become a 4K-5th grade elementary school. McKinley Academy would move its alternative high school and other services into Stangel. The district would determine the future use of McKinley, the district’s oldest school, built in 1891. Manitowoc Lincoln High School would then become a 9-12 grade high school and Washington and Wilson Jr. High Schools would become 6-8 grade middle schools.
According to a news release, the plan aims to increase student learning opportunities, staff collaboration and district efficiency. The Manitowoc Public School District will hold a community listening session on May 15 at 7:00 p.m. in the Wilson Jr. High School auditorium to gather public input and answer questions. Superintendent Mark Holzman said. “I’m excited about all the benefits this move would provide. Our secondary students would have more choices for advanced classes and earlier connections to high school faculty and counseling staff.” Manitowoc Public Schools have seen declining enrollment. Potentially reducing the district’s building operations by one (McKinley) and making more efficient use of existing buildings would save funds. Lincoln High school has space to add 9th graders, which would increase its total enrollment to about 1,400. Lincoln has not had 9th graders since 1936.