Discussions continue over overcrowding in La Crosse schools

Board voted against purchase
of building for administration

More discussion will take place before any action is taken on overcrowding in the La Crosse School District’s elementary schools. 

The school board unanimously voted against buying the old TCI building in La Crosse for administration, while moving some Northside Elementary School students into the Hogan building. 

“They declined the options so they could actually talk about the issue more in the context of a longer range facility plan,” La Crosse superintendent Randy Nelson said. “I certainly respect that. It’s not a new topic, we’ve been discussing long-range facilities for well over a year.”

Nelson says there are other options on the table, but a decision would need to be made before the start of next school year. Simply talking doesn’t solve the issue, and other elementary schools also face overcrowding issues, he added.

“We do see some options to move a few students out of Northside at this particular point,” Nelson said, “but I think that we want to have further discussion about which of those (steps) would be most prudent.”

Nelson added that Hamilton and Emerson schools have similar issues.