Mark Logan, PCSD Business Services director, discussed financial aspects of a potential referendum to those attending the listening session.
More than 70 people attended the Pulaski Community School District’s second listening session Wednesday at Pulaski High School to learn more about the state of the district and plans to meet student needs as enrollment continues to grow, particularly on the eastern side of the district.
Michael Voelker, board president, said the PCSD is lucky to be in a position of growth when enrollment is dropping in many other districts. A study by MD Roffers predicted a growth of 500 additional students in the district by 2035 as residential and business development continues spreading west from metro Green Bay.
Knowing that enrollment is increasing and schools on the eastern side of the district — notably Hillcrest, Lannoye and Sunnyside elementary schools — are already facing space challenges, district administrators and the Board of Education began taking steps to study district needs and possible solutions in 2021. Facility and demographic reports, done by Baird and Associates and MD Roffers, respectively, were presented to the board in November. They were fine-tuned in November, December and January. And they have been presented to the public on the district’s website, https://www.pulaskischools.org/business/facilities-projects, and during the listening sessions.
The next step is a community survey, which is planned for April that will be done by School Perceptions, which specializes in gathering public input that helps boards of education take into account feedback from local residents while plotting future plans.
At Wednesday’s listening session, Clinton Selle of Baird and Associates gave a project overview followed by Mark Logan, PCSD Business Services director, who noted that as of this week, the district had paid off previous referendum debt five years early. Participants then had the chance to talk face to face with PCSD Board of Education members who attended as well as district staff members on everything from the building proposals, repairs needed at current buildings, financial impact of building projects and more. Tours of PHS were also offered.
Residents who would like to attend the final listening session may do so at 6 p.m. March 1 at Sunnyside Elementary.