Watch Green Bay area’s 2025 year in review
From hosting the 2025 NFL Draft to major construction projects to a new leader taking charge of the Packers organization, the Green Bay area had a busy 2025.
- Several Green Bay area school districts, including Green Bay and Wrightstown, are searching for new superintendents.
- Multiple school boards will see new members, with significant turnover expected in Wrightstown following internal conflict.
- Some districts are considering asking voters for more money through referendums to cover operational costs and building projects.
Between new superintendents, financial questions and a new elementary school, the decisions Green Bay-area schools make in 2026 will likely have effects for years to come.
2025 was a big year for education news in Green Bay: Money was top of mind, and there were shakeups at both the local and federal levels. In 2026, area schools will see new leadership, both for superintendents and school boards; we’ll see how those leaders address the funding questions that’ll stick around through the new year.
Here are the education issues we’re watching in 2026. Let us know what you think we should be keeping an eye out for by emailing nscharf@usatodayco.com.
Superintendent searches
The Green Bay School District is planning to select a new superintendent by March and officially hire someone in April. After superintendent turnover, the district is hoping to find a longer-term leader to improve student outcomes across the board.
Green Bay isn’t the only school district in the market for a superintendent. Wrightstown is also looking for a district leader after three superintendents held the job across 2025. It plans to approve a contract in March.
Ongoing school funding debates
The 2025-27 state budget didn’t include any new general aid for K-12 public schools, which would have helped districts keep up with inflation. On top of that, while lawmakers initially promised districts would get 42% of what they spend on special education reimbursed this school year, the state Department of Public Instruction announced in November that reimbursement rates will end up at around 35%.
For some districts, that means receiving millions of dollars less than they expected. When we asked superintendents about their hopes for the upcoming year, many expressed their frustration over receiving what they say isn’t enough to meet their needs without tax rate increases.
… and funding’s effects on local schools
Some school districts are in the red this school year. Green Bay was facing a nearly $4 million deficit before DPI announced the reduction in special education reimbursement. West De Pere is also facing a deficit of $1.4 million, a slight decrease from last year’s deficit of $1.8 million.
Right now, both districts are relying on funds left over from previous years to tide them over. It’s not clear how they’ll address those deficits in the long run. The Oshkosh School District cut teacher positions when facing a $6 million deficit; Green Bay said it took on a deficit to avoid cutting staff, but neither Green Bay nor West De Pere has said what cost-saving measures they’re considering.
School board changes
There will be new faces on at least three school boards this year. As of Dec. 30, school board members in Green Bay, Ashwaubenon and Howard-Suamico have filed notices saying they won’t seek reelection. Those members are Lynn Gerlach in Green Bay, Brian VanDeKreeke in Ashwaubenon and Rachelle Paulsen in Howard-Suamico. The full list of candidates who are seeking a spot on area school boards won’t be available until after the 5 p.m. filing deadline on Jan. 6.
The busiest election will likely be in Wrightstown. After school board infighting saw four members lose their seats or resign last spring, five of seven board members are up for election this April.
Potential referendums
Speaking of elections, we’re also on referendum watch. The Howard-Suamico School Board will likely vote Jan. 12 to put two April referendum questions on the April ballot: a $7 million recurring operational referendum, which would support day-to-day costs in the schools, and a $147 million capital referendum, which would fund additions at several buildings.
After the state budget passed, Green Bay School District leaders said it was “certain” the district would have to go to referendum. At that point, they said the earliest they would do so would be November 2026.
Other districts, including De Pere and Pulaski, are starting to review their buildings’ needs and what updates they could make. Neither has mentioned going to referendum in 2026.
Openings and closings
Green Bay parents will see this chapter of school consolidations close in 2026. Three schools will close their doors for good: Elmore, Langlade and MacArthur Elementary schools. The district will work with the City of Green Bay to develop Elmore into affordable housing. Langlade will go to the Village of Allouez in a land swap, and MacArthur will be demolished and the property turned into a park.
But 2026 won’t just bring endings. Green Bay’s new Starr Elementary School, which is being built on the site of Kennedy Elementary, plans to open its doors for the 2026-27 school year. Students from Kennedy, Keller Elementary and some from MacArthur will attend.
Contact Green Bay education reporter Nadia Scharf at nscharf@usatodayco.com or on X at @nadiaascharf.