City of Wausau. MWC file graphic
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — The Wausau City Council has named the John Marshall Elementary School as a city historic landmark.
Alder Gary Gisselman was one of the more vocal supporters of the measure, saying the entire southeast side has built up around the school over the last 100 years, calling the building an important landmark. “The neighborhood grew up around it. If you have come into that neighborhood, you have grown up with that school.”
Alder Michael Martens echoed those comments, calling the building a “focal point” of the neighborhood. Alder Carol Lukens, whose district includes the school, added that she settled into the area because of its proximity to the school and so have many others.
“I can say that every single resident I have spoken with; they all want a neighborhood school. They all want John Marshall to remain in the neighborhood,” said Lukens. “The only reason that anyone is against it is [that] they are afraid that the School board will use [the designation] to close John Marshall.”
Alder Lisa Rasmussen was also critical of the Board of Education, saying she hopes that they don’t take some form of retaliatory action to the move. She noted that the recently-passed building referendum was a scaled-down version of a previous ask which would have made significant improvements in many more buildings district-wide. “It really would have preserved the structure of the district the way it was and made the things better that needed to be better.”
That referendum failed and was whittled down to only include safety and security improvements at all elementary schools while adding on to schools which at or near capacity. That version was approved in April. “They gutted the work at the elementary schools on purpose so they could start this conversation again. It has been a non-starter on at least four or five different points since I’ve been involved in the school district, and that’s been an awfully long time both as alumni and as a parent of a recent graduate.
“Does it tie their hands with what they can do with that building? No, not really. But if that decision goes forward, what happens next?” added Rasmussen.
RELATED: Wausau Historic Preservation Commission Holds Information Session on John Marshall School
Tuesday’s vote was 10-1 with Alder Doug Diny as the lone no. It also came despite one last plea from the district by Finance Director Bob Tess, who spoke during public comment. He noted that the district’s jurisdiction includes several other municipalities that will not have a say in the decision including the Towns of Texas, Stettin, Berlin, Wausau, and Rib Mountain which combined account for 42% of their population.
“[We are] 58% the City of Wausau. The ownership’s board would like the council to know that they would like the flexibility to determine the future of John Marshall school with help from their entire community,” said Tess.
The Council also noted that Tuesday’s action does not freeze the building in time. Improvements and changes can still be made, though only after a certificate of appropriateness is granted by the city.
RELATED: Wausau School Board Votes to Explore District-Wide Consolidation, Restructuring
This all comes one day after the Wausau School Board voted to move forward with the creation of plans for possible consolidation of elementary schools and restructuring of secondary schools. No specific plan is in place, but the board did suggest closing between two and five elementary schools and changing the structure of the secondary schools.
An open house will be held Wednesday at 5 PM at West High School to further discuss the possibility and provide an opportunity for resident feedback.
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