After the failed August 2022 referendum, the Menominee School Board of Education continues to struggle with how to address the building needs of Central Elementary School and the financial concerns caused by decreasing enrollment. Last Wednesday, the Menominee Area School Board met and reviewed a process and timeline that will be used to determine how and when the Central Elementary School may be consolidated with Blesch School. School Board President Derek Butler says, “the voters spoke their mind, and they voted down the referendum, but it still leaves us with that operational challenge to keep up and maintain and staff three buildings.”

Butler says, “we’ve been through a lot of challenges in the last year, but it’s still our responsibility to ensure we’re doing everything possible to make sure that the district is running as physically responsible as possible. Our administrative team is going to work through the process and bring back to the board if it’s feasible and if so, what would that plan look like, and were hoping that work will be complete by the May board meeting.”

The Consolidation Feasibility Study is planned to take place in March and April, with staff and community input session being planned for mid-April, after the district’s Spring Break, and recommendations and decisions by the Board of Education in May.