The Manitowoc Public School District is committed to its mission to educate, engage and inspire all learners to thrive in a global community. Our #1 priority is to provide our students with high-quality learning opportunities and staff to support them.
We also are committed to providing safe, modern facilities to assist student learning and achievement. However, due largely to state revenue limits that since 1993 have capped how much the district can spend in any given year, the MPSD has long had inadequate funding for annual maintenance of our schools and other facilities.
The last time we asked the community for major funding to renovate our facilities was in 1997 when voters approved a $25 million referendum to fund improvements to our elementary, middle and high schools.
In spring 2023, as part of the five-year operational referendum that voters approved, the MPSD increased its annual operating budget for capital improvement projects by $500,000, from $250,000 to $750,000, starting in the 2023-2024 school year.
- In fall 2023, the district hired Cooperative Educational Service Agency 10 (CESA 10) to conduct a district-wide assessment of all of its facilities.
- CESA 10’s team inspected every school and site, interviewed MPSD’s facilities manager, head custodians, school principals, and district office administrators overseeing business operations, safety/wellness, and curriculum and instruction including special education services.
- In April 2024 findings were documented with detailed charts and photographs in a 318-page final report that was delivered to the School Board.
See the final facilities assessment report
SHORT-TERM FACILITIES PLANNING
MPSD requested and gained voter approval in April 2025 to
borrow $25 million to take care of critical facilities maintenance, safety, security and building infrastructure needs over the next three to four years. Some smaller projects can begin in summer 2025, with larger projects in summer 2026. MPSD is incredibly grateful for the support of the our community and will keep everyone apprised of the work that is done. We also will not commit major funds into any buildings until the community and Board long-term planning provides clear direction on our future investments.
LONG-TERM FACILITIES PLANNING
A community Facilities Advisory Committee began meeting monthly in February 2025 to develop recommendations to the Board of Education before December for a long-term district master facilities plan. The Board sought community volunteers and 45 residents offered to serve. The group will review district facilities needs, enrollment, budgets, state funding and revenue limits, the district's building footprint and school boundaries.
At the same time, a separate staff Facilities Advisory Committee also is meeting and going through the same review and exercises. Michael Hacker of Cadence Consulting is facilitating both the community and staff meetings.
April 10, 2025 Community FAC Meeting
March 13, 2025 Community FAC Meeting
Presentation slides 3/13/25
February 13, 2025 Community FAC Meeting
MPSD Strengths, Challenges and Vision for Thriving District
Presentation slides 2/13/25