Potential questions for a community-wide survey were the focus of a Neenah Joint School District Board of Education facilities study meeting on June 21 at the Shattuck Middle School Auditorium.
 
The Board considered an Administrative recommendation that prioritized safety and security upgrades at all buildings. The recommendation also suggested new schools for grades 7-8 and 5-6. The Board agreed to add questions about each of those items to a community survey that will be sent in the fall.
 
The survey will also seek solutions at the high school and elementary levels, though a more specific recommendation will be needed to create suitable questions. Those projects could also be completed in a phased approach. As for finding a community tax tolerance, the Board discussed testing a tolerance as high as $310 million. Some Board members indicated that how the questions are framed is critical and that it will be important to provide community members some background of why the facilities upgrades are needed within the survey.
 
The Administrative recommendations came from a recent meeting that included all central office and school administrators. The Board asked for administrators in attendance to speak about their preferences in order to provide additional background. Several administrators provided their thoughts and answered questions from the Board.
 
Also, Tullar Principal Diane Galow and Wilson Principal Ryan Hammerschmidt discussed reasons for administrative support for possibly creating three- or four-section K-4 elementary schools and closing others. Some of the reasons were an efficiency of staff resources and maintenance, as well as providing flexibility in building classes and dividing students who have challenges being together.  Additionally, it was stated that students, families and staff create the warm culture in a school, not the building itself. Galow noted that she was originally unsure about recommending new middle schools and neglecting the elementary level, but soon realized it will result in more space at the elementary level in a K-4 structure and the possibility of dedicated art and music rooms, calling it a “win-win” for both levels.
 
The Board also discussed the concept of prioritizing safety and security above everything else. There was agreement that it is a priority, but there was also discussion about all of the threats students face every day and a question whether solely adding secure entrances at every building was the best use of resources.
 
Representatives from School Perceptions will present an initial draft of the community survey for review at the next facilities meeting, which is scheduled for Tuesday, July 31 at 5 p.m. at 410 S. Commercial St. The meeting will take place in the Boardroom at District Office.