Board approves closure of Shapiro STEM Academy to align with referendum planning
February 12, 2026 | Oshkosh City, Winnebago County, Wisconsin
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The Oshkosh Area School District Board of Education on Feb. 11 approved a resolution to close Shapiro STEM Academy effective June 8, 2026, to align the site with the district’s referendum and phase‑2 construction timeline.
Motion and vote: A motion to approve the closure was made and seconded; the board conducted a roll‑call vote and recorded affirmative votes. The chair declared, "Resolution carries."
Why it matters: District staff said closing the building on the stated date would allow necessary preconstruction work — including abatement and planning with the maintenance and facilities teams — to begin on schedule. "We would need to have that building closed so we can begin the construction process, whether that's abatement, going through any of the maintenance facility pieces, planning in that process," said Mr. Yerke, a district staff member who addressed the board on the timeline.
Public access and property disposition: Board members asked about opportunities for the public to visit closing buildings and about property purchased during the school's charter period. One board member noted prior practice of offering an open invitation to the public to tour closing schools and asked whether usable materials would be reallocated rather than landfilled. Mr. Yerke said staff will investigate charter‑related restrictions and confirmed reuse would be part of the process.
Next steps: District staff will follow up on the property's charter status, inventory reusable materials for redistribution, and proceed with the referendum and construction planning timeline. The resolution sets a June 8, 2026 effective closure date.
The board also approved the consent resolution agenda earlier in the meeting.
Motion and vote: A motion to approve the closure was made and seconded; the board conducted a roll‑call vote and recorded affirmative votes. The chair declared, "Resolution carries."
Why it matters: District staff said closing the building on the stated date would allow necessary preconstruction work — including abatement and planning with the maintenance and facilities teams — to begin on schedule. "We would need to have that building closed so we can begin the construction process, whether that's abatement, going through any of the maintenance facility pieces, planning in that process," said Mr. Yerke, a district staff member who addressed the board on the timeline.
Public access and property disposition: Board members asked about opportunities for the public to visit closing buildings and about property purchased during the school's charter period. One board member noted prior practice of offering an open invitation to the public to tour closing schools and asked whether usable materials would be reallocated rather than landfilled. Mr. Yerke said staff will investigate charter‑related restrictions and confirmed reuse would be part of the process.
Next steps: District staff will follow up on the property's charter status, inventory reusable materials for redistribution, and proceed with the referendum and construction planning timeline. The resolution sets a June 8, 2026 effective closure date.
The board also approved the consent resolution agenda earlier in the meeting.
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