MARINETTE — The Marinette School Board last week received updates on the former Garfield Elementary School property and on Title IX. Three residents also spoke during public comment.
Garfield School
In a briefing for information only, it was learned that the formal name of the developer attempting to purchase the property is Alliance Construction and Design of Wrightstown, Wisconsin. The company has 15 years experience, the report states.
The most current conceptual plans have been forwarded to the city, but have not yet been reviewed by the Plan Commission, according to the report.
The School Board, in late July, voted 6-2 to accept an offer of $265,500 for the property. At the time, the name of the potential buyer was listed as Anything You Want LLC, “a developer from Wisconsin.”
It was stressed at that time that the sale was not final until all contingencies were met and all signatures were received.
The property was listed for $300,000. Cheryl Sporie, president of the Saint Thomas Aquinas Academy (STAA) Board of Trustees, attempted to purchase the property for full asking price in January. The offer was never considered because the potential buyers never signed a deed restriction stating the building could not be used for pre-K to 12th grade education.
At the Sept. 17 meeting, three residents spoke about the topic.
Dan Coakley said he’s been digging into the matter. “I think it’s very important - as a community, as parents, - to have competition in schools,” he said. “I think it makes everything better. It made America great.”
He said he doesn’t understand what the district fears by selling Garfield to a Catholic school. He said he used to live in the area of the school, 1615 Carney Blvd.
“I would love to have a Catholic school as a neighbor,” Coakley said. “Can you think of a better neighbor?”
He believes the board has been irresponsible, while not giving answers. “That’s a lot of power for a little group of people to have over an entire community,” he said.
Nick Lemire, a graduate of Marinette High School who now has two children in the district, talked about the district’s low test scores with a 94% graduation rate.
“It sounds like we’re pushing students through regardless of whether they actually learn the material,” Lemire said.
He then turned his focus to Garfield school and questioned why the property wasn’t sold to STAA.
“Is this district so weak that we can’t sell a building in disrepair to a school that has been here the whole time?” Lemire said. “Are you so weak that you seek to exclude the other team instead of letting them drive you to be better?"
He said district leaders are failing to inspire, engage or impact students. “This school needs vision and leaders rooted in truth. We look forward to taking our schools back,“ he said.
Amy Beattie stressed the importance of researching the details of the potential sale.
“I really hope that you guys dug deep into the company that bought the school and you know for sure, 100%, what is going in there,” she said. “Because if you don’t, it’s my family, my neighbors that will be affected."
Title IX
The board received a report from Superintendent Corry Lambie and Title IX Coordinator Polly Vanden Boogaard. The report states that Vanden Boogaard facilitated all four Title IX training at each of the district’s sites.
“Approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes were designated to have staff view the webinar (Renning, Lewis and Lacy Law Firm, with four offices in Wisconsin, including Green Bay) as well as pause to ask questions and seek clarity in the webinar,” the report reads.
During the training, there were approximately 10 total questions in regards to the district and Title IX, according to the report.
Since school has begun, building administrators have received zero phone calls from parents and/or community members on the topic, the report states.
Vanden Boogaard was at the Sept. 17 meeting to answer questions.
Board member Cindy Verschay asked if anybody is allowed in any bathroom or locker room at any time.
“No, we do not allow kids just to go in and out of bathrooms,” Vanden Boogaard said, adding that if a student requests another bathroom, they work with the student through a process to provide support for that student.
“So if I’m an adult in the building, I don’t have that right, do I,” Verschay said.
“No,” Vanden Boogaard replied.
Verschay asked what percentage of students this applies to and Vanden Boogaard said most likely less than 1%.
Board president Terri Florek asked where board members and others can go with Title IX questions.
Vanden Boogard said they can go to school principals and to her. She said there also is Title IX information on the district’s website, along with a way to email specific questions.
“Certainly, anyone of us is willing to answer questions,” she said.
When asked about athletics, Vanden Boogard said the district follows WIAA guidelines.
Board member Martin Shaw said Title IX information seems pretty vague.
“I think it’s vague for a reason - because every student is different,” Vanden Boogaard said. “To handle certain situations the same way isn’t going to work.”
She said a supportive measure may work for one student, but not for another.
“While we wish it was black and white, we know our students aren’t, so we respond accordingly based on the scenario going forward,” Vanden Boogaard said.
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