In Northern Wisconsin, a vacant school building that once housed Mattoon Elementary is being eyed by a Christian community that wants to start a new private school.
The goal of Shepherd’s Watch is to open a school that serves low-income students by participating in the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (WPCP). But, the Antigo Public School District is standing in the way.
The Village of Mattoon approved the sale of the school to Shepherd’s Watch and was excited about having a local school again. However, the Antigo School District is trying to stop the sale of the property to a Choice or charter school. The dispute is now going to court.
To help defend Shepherd’s Watch, the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty (WILL), a pro bono law firm and WCRIS ally, is stepping up to help the hopeful new private school.
“In Mattoon, our client [Shepherd’s Watch] has a plan to improve the community but the local district would rather keep a vacant school building than sell to a Christian community group,” says WILL Executive Vice President CJ Szafir.
Currently, children are enduring nearly two-hour commutes on a bus twice daily to attend public school.
Shepherd’s Watch is hoping to rebuild the Mattoon community by bringing back a school to the area.
