There are a lot of things going on as the Manitowoc Public School District starts the 2026-2027 school year.
SeehaferNews.com sat down with Superintendent Lee Thennes to discuss what the district wants to accomplish now that students have returned to the classroom.
He explained that the district’s strategic vision remains a focus, including retention, school discipline, community engagement, and fiscal responsibility.
For the students, the district wants to make sure they are effective communicators and ready to go off to college or wherever they choose.
One area that needs improvement is reading and math scores at a student’s grade level.
“That’s our ultimate goal because we know if they can do that, they can also then work on grade-level content that helps them, which we know in the 21st-century world of the economy, our kids are going to need all those skills,” he explained. “The skills they are building today for jobs they have no idea will exist.”
The biggest change this year for some students is the building they are in. Earlier this year, the MPSD school board voted to close Madison and Jackson Elementary Schools as part of the district’s right-sizing due to a decreasing student population.
Thennes says he’s very pleased with the transition of students and teachers.
One side effect of changing schools is that the bus drivers are picking up more kids this year.
“The routes are new, and the drop-off spots are different and all that,” he noted. “So we appreciate people’s patience as the bus company is working through all those logistics.”
Thennes says the teachers are settling into their classrooms and are ready to hit the ground running to welcome students back.
All this is coming on the back of a new school logo, as the district is now represented entirely as Ships.
For himself, Thennes says he wants to continue to build community relationships.
“Whether it be with our institutions of higher learning in our community, or the other governments, the county and the city,” he listed. “We’ve really had strong working relationships and I think if you look around the state, what you’ll see is that thriving communities work together to make their community the best is can possibly be.”
Thennes finished by saying that he hopes the community will come out to see their students at sports events or in the theater, since there is plenty to do.
The last day of school is June 3rd.
