PRESCOTT – The Prescott School Board voted unanimously Dec. 17 to consolidate schools in Summer 2027, moving fourth and fifth grades to Prescott Middle School and eighth grade to Prescott High School.

With uncertainty about the state legislature’s willingness to change the public education funding model in the 2027-29 biennium and projected decreasing student enrollment numbers, the board said it makes sense to reduce the number of buildings housing students from four to three. It has not been decided yet if the district will sell the building at 125 N. Elm St., somehow keep the gym or lease it from anyone who buys it, or mothball the building. Administration recommended the consolidation take place in Summer 2027 instead of Summer 2026.

“It’s going to give us time, a whole year to plan the new schedules and programming changes,” Superintendent Jim Reif said. “It’s going to allow us to look at the maps. It’s going to allow us to work with the community for a smooth transition. It’s going to allow us to meet with the counselors and plan the schedules.”

Ashley Boe, the new director of business services, and Reif met with Baird (school finance company) about financial projections using different projection models. This year’s current student population is 1,172. Next year, it’s projected to decrease to 1,142, then to 1,122 the following year, then to 1,088 by 2030-31. Moving students from Prescott Intermediate School (125 N. Elm St.) would immediately reduce district operating costs by $110,000 annually, assuming no staff cuts are made and no money is used from Fund 46 (the long-term capital improvements fund). The projection model also takes into account a 3.8% increase in salaries, a 6.9% increase in benefits, a 3% increase in utility costs, and state aids based on property valuation growth.

If everything remains the same, Prescott is facing a $518,000 budget deficit next year, $1 million the year after, then $1.5 million. The Fund 10 (general fund) balance would fall below the 20% of operating costs required by the board, assuming no cuts are made or money is used out of Fund 46, which has a current $1.2 million balance.

If the board were to sell the MIS building outright, it would reduce the operating costs by $200,000 annually. Even if the building is sold, the district, along with most Wisconsin school districts, is facing a budget deficit in the coming years unless the state comes through in the 2027-29 biennial budget, if no cuts are made and no money is used from Fund 46. Birth rates are lower than in 1993-94 (which is what the state funding formula is based upon) and 82% of districts in Wisconsin are seeing decreased enrollment, Reif said.

“There are some places to cut that will not affect students directly,” said Reif, mentioning deferred maintenance and technology upgrades.

“I think the bad news here is, if I’m looking at this, that 2027-28’s not going to be good no matter what, unless we sell it and we really put $3 million in,” said Board Vice President Tanya Holub. “The other piece of this is just moving kids is only solving part of the problem. We still have to figure out other ways to do cuts unless we’re selling the whole building and getting closer to $3 million.”

After a work session Dec. 10, the school board asked district administration to study one particular consolidation plan that would keep fourth and fifth graders together while best utilizing the district’s newest building, said Reif. Fourth and fifth graders will be moved to Prescott Middle School (1220 St. Croix St.), which will house Grades 4-7, while eighth graders will move to the high school, which will become Grades 8-12.

Reif listed the pros of this plan as being:

• All buildings operate well within ideal capacity (Malone Elementary at 80%, PMS at 75% and PHS at 62%). This means ideal class sizes as defined by staff rather than maximum capacity.
• Best utilizes the space in the high school, the newest building.
• Keeps fourth and fifth grades together in an elementary-style model on the upper floor of PMS.
• Allows eighth graders to access a wider variety of elective courses at PHS.

On the flip side, the cons include:

• Social impact of housing eighth graders in the same building as 12^th graders is a key concern.
• May require more shared staff for elective courses at PMS.

Staff surveyed about this plan listed the following strengths and positives, compiled and summarized by Reif:

• Optimizes building capacity: Efficiently uses available space within existing buildings, helping the district operate within a three building budget model with no school over 80% capacity.
• Financial efficiency: Consolidating a building saves operational costs, providing short-term financial relief for the district.
• Enhanced fourth/fifth grade alignment: The plans keeps fourth and fifth grades together, preserving existing collaboration, vertical alignment and shared support staff (reading specialists, math interventionists).
• Improved high school transition for eighth graders: Moving eighth graders to the high school is seen as a “bridge” or as a “seamless transition” to prepare students for ninth grade academically and socially.
• Athletic advantages: Housing eighth graders at the high school provides early access facilities like the weight room and high school coaching staff, viewed as a “game changer” for sports programs.
• Potential for social/emotional growth: Several comments suggest the transition jump starts maturity in eighth grade students and provides leadership opportunities for the sixth and seventh graders at PMS.
• Logistics/transportation: It eliminates the need to transport eighth graders to the high school campus for specific classes.

While staff noted many positives, they also had their share of concerns, as summarized by Reif:

• Intervention and special education space concerns: The most significant concern expressed by staff. They worry about the location of various interventions and special ed services.
• Teacher workspaces/logistics: Plan needs to address how teachers will be positioned and how art and music can operate effectively without using carts in non-specialized rooms. Administration promised no one would be teaching in a closet or from a cart.
• Gym/athletic space coordination: Must plan carefully for shared gym space, lunch schedules and phy ed for four grades at PMS; retaining current intermediate school gym for use.
• Definitive planning needed: Staff asked for a faster, more definitive plan for housing students and positioning staff to reduce anxiety and allow for preparations.
• Social/emotional impact of mixing ages: Several comments mentioned the need to “highly consider” the social dynamics and potential negative impact of mixing eighth graders with seniors, which could impact academic performance.
• Clarity of resources: Board must identify where specific programs, such as PAES Lab, will be located.

Staff asked that administration and the board carefully examine the following impacts and requests with a move:

• The developmental and social impact of mixing eighth graders with grades 9-12, and fourth graders with seventh graders. Proximity within hallways needs a mitigation strategy.
• Ensure that every program, especially special ed ad science labs, has a dedicated, functional space rather than being shoved into the current high school blueprint.
• Acknowledge past moving difficulties and commit to substantial logistical support for teachers during the transition to ensure a smooth start to the school year. Some staff suggested paid moving days. “Some of them (staff) are tired of moving,” Reif said.
• General consensus is the board needs to make a decision soon to facilitate detailed planning and communication.
• Maintain clear, frequent and transparent communication with staff, students and families throughout the decision-making process and implementation.
• While being efficient, ensure that the needs of vulnerable students (special ed, Tier 3 learners) are prioritized and not hindered by physical limitations in new building configurations.
• Acknowledge that the operational savings may be short-term; this should be part of a sustainable, long-term financial strategy.

With this consolidation, the district still has the ability to safely absorb 300-350 more kids with three buildings in the event an unanticipated enrollment increase occurs. Ideal building capacity is 1,420 students, well above the current 1,172. It’s hard to argue to keep students in the MIS building, though gym space is a factor, Board President Mike Matzek said.

“It’s an absolute no brainer to go down to three buildings, whether we do it next year or the year after,” said Matzek.

In the coming weeks, Reif and Activities Director Matt Smith will analyze gym space and use hour by hour, season by season at all schools. Another item that needs consideration, Reif said, is whether or not to move the Gathering Place senior center, currently housed at Prescott Middle School, to another district building or suggest another community partner that might make more sense.

“They are sweet, wonderful people,” Reif said. “I love stopping by the Gathering Place and talking to them, but honestly, there are people going in and out of our doors that don’t go through controlled entrances. We’re not worried about any of them, but anytime the door opens, there is a very slight security risk.”

Other business

• The board approved the 2026-27 school year calendar. Highlights include a start date of Sept. 1, 2026; two weeks off at Christmas; Easter Monday off and an end date of June 2, 2027.
• The next school board meeting will be held Jan. 28 in order to accommodate the Wisconsin Association of School Boards annual convention.
• Cardinal Champion Jenna Rohl was recognized for her unwavering dedication to students, specifically those with the highest behavioral needs. “Jenna brings patience, humor and joy to work each day. Jenna is also being recognized for her commitment outside the classroom supporting families in need. Jenna’s service on the Prescott Food Pantry board, her leadership in the Backpack Food Program, and her efforts to support community food drives. Thank you for making a profound difference in the lives of our students and families.”