MANITOWOC – The Madison Elementary School property at 701 N. Fourth St. may be the site for future redevelopment by the city of Manitowoc.
A news release from the Manitowoc Public School District April 17 announced the city council would be discussing a proposal for the city to purchase the property for $1.
“At MPSD, our focus is, and always will be, on educating children,” Superintendent Lee Thennes said. “We are not in the business of real estate development. The city of Manitowoc is well-positioned to lead this work in a way that supports thoughtful economic development and long-term community growth.”
Madison Elementary land was gifted to MPSD by the city
According to the release, 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.
The city also owns the property adjacent to the school site, creating a unique opportunity for coordinated planning and redevelopment, according to the release.
“As we look to the future, it’s important that we honor that history while making responsible decisions for the taxpayers we serve,” Mayor Justin Nickels said. “… By working closely with MPSD, we can ensure the Madison property is utilized in a way that strengthens the surrounding neighborhood and benefits the entire community.”
City council and school board meetings will determine next steps
The city council will meet April 20 as a Committee of the Whole to discuss the proposal and determine whether to move forward with a potential offer to purchase the property.
If the council supports the proposal, the offer would be formally presented to the MPSD Board of Education, which will meet for a special meeting April 28.
According to the board’s policy, the offer would then be referred to the school’s Finance and Facilities Committee for review on May 5, with a recommendation to follow for consideration by the full board.
The city and the school district have a long history of collaboration. Over the past two decades, the city has gifted properties, including the land now used for Steinbecker Field.
“These investments have enhanced student opportunities and community access,” the release states.
Madison, Jackson school closures part of broader district reconfiguration plan
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.
In addition to closing both Madison and Jackson elementary schools, the district will move students in grades K-4 at Riverview Elementary to Stangel Elementary and convert Riverview to an early learning center with full-day 4K.
The middle schools will undergo changes as well. Starting in September, Wilson Middle School will house grades 5-6 and Washington Middle School will house grades 7-8.
Alisa M. Schafer is a reporter for the Herald Times Reporter in Manitowoc County, part of the USA TODAY Network-Wisconsin. She can be reached by email at aschafer@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Manitowoc council to discuss buying Madison Elementary site
Reporting by Alisa M. Schafer, Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter / Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter
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