LETTER: Old building’s flaws obvious, new Saukville school needed

To Ozaukee Press:

It’s important that we make informed decisions about the future of Saukville Elementary School, but dismissing the referendum as an “impulse purchase,” as a recent letter to the editor did, disregards the years of planning and analysis that have brought us to this point.

A community-led group has spent over four years assessing the school’s condition and the district’s needs. The reality is that the current open-concept design creates challenges for both students and teachers—challenges that weren’t as widely recognized decades ago.

Overcrowding may not appear to be an issue based solely on enrollment numbers, but anyone who has spent time in the school during the day knows that space constraints, noise levels and lack of designated quiet areas for students in distress create a difficult learning environment.

Staff members do what they can with the space they have, but due to these limitations there isn’t enough room to pull students out for extra help. As a result, spaces like storage closets and copy rooms are used to meet with children individually, which is far from ideal.

Saukville Elementary was built in 1955. Beyond its outdated structure, the

building is located on a floodplain, meaning it cannot be fully insured. This puts the district at significant financial risk should any major damage occur.

In an era when school security is a critical concern, it’s our responsibility to ensure students have a safe, modern facility that meets today’s standards.

Rather than dwelling on past decisions, we should focus on the best path forward. This referendum is a long-term investment in our children and our community. Let’s take the time to consider the facts and prioritize what truly matters—providing a safe, supportive and effective learning environment for the next generation.

Kirsten Coenen

Port Washington