Transportation, sports among concerns over upcoming La Crosse school referendum on consolidation

The plan to combine the two La Crosse high schools into one south-side school is up for debate at public meetings again this week.

In a virtual session Wednesday night, Superintendent, Dr. Aaron Engel, was confident that north-side students now attending Logan High School would want to stay in La Crosse, instead of switching to Onalaska — if Logan and Central High merged at the former Trane headquarters.

“Generally speaking, students start with their friends in elementary school, at their local school in their neighborhood, ” Engel said. “They go to middle school together, they want to continue on in high school, as well.”

Many parents oppose the idea of a far south-side school, because it would mean extra travel time for students.

Engel says bus service would be offered to Logan students. He said a typical bus ride from north La Crosse could last 20 to 25 minutes.

The future of high school sports could also change a bit if the consolidation plan passes through a $194.7 million referendum.

Engel said football games would probably be played at Logan’s current home site, Swanson Field.

The goal is to “continue to bring folks to the north side, to see football games, track meets, soccer games on that field,” Engel said. “We would need some modest improvements there. We need to replace the bleachers, and expand the track to eight lanes to host full track competitions.”

The superintendent added that a combined high school would probably move to a higher division for sports, and into a conference with Eau Claire schools.

Another meeting on the referendum plan is set for 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Longfellow Middle School.