Winchester school to close

WINNECONNE - Winchester Elementary School will be closing next year after board members affirmed an earlier decision Monday night.

The school board agreed to reconsider the issue in light of strong parent outcry from Winchester. 

"I'm very upset," parent Paula Prasnicki said.  "It's just a waste, the school is going to sit there empty and they are not going to sell the land or anything."

A large crowd of both Winneconne and Winchester parents shared their views at Winneconne Middle School.  Board members listened with attention, but took a vote quickly with little discussion.

Administrators expect a $1.37 million deficit next year.  They say closing the school would save $342,000 annually.  But Winchester parents have doubts about those numbers. They say the removal of three teaching positions at Winneconne Elementary School is included in the sum, making the savings closer to $155,000.

"There's just no good cuts left," District Administrator Bob Lehman said.  "We don't desire to close a school but it seemed like the least harmful district wide, the least negative impact on students."

Winneconne parents pushed the board to stand by its decision.  They feel the closure will preserve programs for students district wide at the high school and middle school levels.

"It'll be interesting to see how people are going to look at Winchester now that there is not going to be a school there," Robert Nelson of Winchester said.  "If there's not going to be a school there is it going to be as inviting to families?"

Currently, 74 students attend Winchester Elementary.