Posted: Jan. 22, 2010

The first of five community forums on what Muskego-Norway elementary schools need in terms of buildings will be Tuesday.

The Muskego-Norway School Board is considering two preliminary options each containing different alternatives that change the potential price tag. Option one would cost roughly $50.3 million to $57.8 million. Option two would cost $62.3 million to $72.5 million.

Both options include closing Tess Corners and Muskego elementary schools, the two oldest buildings in the district, thereby consolidating the elementary schools from five to three. Included in the alternatives is demolishing Lakeview Elementary and rebuilding it near Lake Denoon Middle School. Lakeview also could be expanded in place as Mill Valley elementary could be.

One new school would be built on district land on North Cape Road under either option. The new school could be either an elementary school or a middle school. As many as two schools could eventually be built, depending on which alternatives are chosen within the two options. The combined Bay Lane Middle/Country Meadows Elementary would become either entirely a middle school or entirely an elementary school.

The School Board is asking for public input at the forums. The options and costs will be explained. A referendum would be needed for either option.

All the public forums will be at 6 p.m.

The Jan. 26 forum will be at Tess Corners Elementary, S6800 Durham Drive. Other forums will be

• Feb. 1 at Muskego Elementary, W17476 Janesville Road

• Feb. 3 at Lakeview Elementary, 26335 Freis Lane

• Feb. 18 at Bay Lane Middle/Country Meadows Elementary, W16399 Hilltop Drive

• Feb. 23 at Mill Valley Elementary, S6445 Hillendale Drive

The options come from more than two years of assessing the district's elementary school needs, with the administration working closely with a resident-based committee known as the Facilities Study Team.