MANITOWOC – Manitowoc is set to take back Madison Elementary after the Common Council approved acquiring the school property for $1.
Manitowoc Common Council approves Madison Elementary acquisition
During the council meeting May 18, members voted unanimously to approve the resolution “to authorize acquisition of Madison School.”
The vote ends a month-long process from the announcement in April that the city was interested in acquiring the school from the Manitowoc Public School District.
The acquisition deal, which was approved by the Manitowoc school board May 12, reverts the school property to the ownership of the city for $1.
Why the city wants the Madison school property
Mayor Justin Nickels said the city already holds some of the surrounding property and selling all of it as one parcel could be more enticing for developers. He said the elementary school has little value by itself and the building would likely be demolished.
The city originally owned the parcel of land and gifted it to the school district in the early 1950s for the purpose of constructing the school.
Madison and Jackson school closures are part of district reconfiguration
Madison and Jackson schools are set to be closed at the end of the current school year as part of a reconfiguration plan to help the district save about $2 million annually from staffing and operating costs.
The plan will bring several significant changes beginning in the 2026‑27 school year and aims to strengthen the district’s financial stability and adjust to long‑term enrollment declines.
Contact Alisa M. Schafer at aschafer@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Manitowoc gets Madison Elementary School property back for $1
Reporting by Alisa M. Schafer, Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter / Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter
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