Fox Cities News

The public is invited to take a walk down memory lane during farewell tours of Merrill Elementary and Middle School and Washington Elementary School before the buildings close at the end of the 2023-24 school year.

Washington Elementary Farewell Tours:

- Sunday, April 28 from 1-3 p.m.

- Wednesday, May 1 from 6-8 p.m.

Merrill Elementary and Middle School Farewell Tours:

- Sunday, April 28 from 3-5 p.m.

- Wednesday, May 1 from 5-7 p.m.

Visitors are welcome to take a self-guided tour of the schools during the designated times. No advance registration is required and people are welcome to arrive anytime in the two-hour window. Attendees may enter through the main entrances; additionally, Door #23 at Merrill will be open for access from the back parking lot.

"Merrill and Washington schools have served our community well for decades, shaping thousands of young minds," said Bryan Davis, OASD superintendent.

"As we look ahead to an exciting new chapter, we invite all community members to join us for a farewell tour celebrating the rich legacies of these two schools. While saying farewell to the past is bittersweet, this transition presents an extraordinary opportunity to build upon our traditions in an innovative new learning environment at Menominee Elementary that will inspire students for years to come. We hope our students, families, alumni, and community members take this chance to celebrate the schools' histories before we embrace our exciting future."

Students from Merrill, Washington, and Webster Stanley Elementary Schools will join together at the brand new Menominee Elementary School opening in fall 2024 on the site of the former Webster Stanley building. The consolidation of the three schools into Menominee will complete Phase 1 of the district’s four-phased consolidation plan.

The Merrill building will be demolished in fall 2024 to create green space for the new Vel Phillips Middle School which opened in fall 2023 adjacent to the Merrill site. The district intends to sell Washington Elementary School.

During the April 10 OASD Board of Education Meeting, the school board will vote to approve selling the Washington Elementary School site to the City of Oshkosh for residential development. In its proposal, the City of Oshkosh, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity - Oshkosh, intends to demolish the school building and make room for 18 shovel-ready residential lots for new workforce/affordable family homes.

Recognizing the historical significance and strong community connections to the Merrill school building and grounds, the district will construct a memorial at the southwest corner of the site. This tribute will honor the legacies of James Merrill, the building's namesake, Henry Auler, the architect who designed the school, and Harold Schumerth, a beloved teacher and football coach.

The OASD will make bricks from Merrill Elementary and Middle School available for community members who want to keep a piece of the building.

"The entire community is invited to take advantage of the designated farewell tour times to celebrate and honor the incredible legacies of Merrill and Washington schools."