GREEN BAY, Wisconsin – Monday was a day full of firsts for the Green Bay Area School District. It was the first day of school for more than 18,000 Green Bay students.
This year, students started school a week earlier than usual because the 2025 NFL Draft was held in Green Bay in April. Public schools in the district will be closed during the draft.
The school district also began the year with a new interim superintendent and a new literacy curriculum.
Matt Malcore strolls through the halls in his second year as principal of Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary.
Malcore said he and his staff are just as excited about the first day of school as the students are.
“It’s so cool to feel that energy, the excitement, the anticipation of the start of a new school year, the smiles, the big eyes, the wide eyes,” Malcore said.
It’s Vicki Bayer’s second year as interim superintendent of the Green Bay Area School District, and she said she’s proud to take on the role.
“I know the staff and students very well and care so much about them that it is an honor to step in again,” said Bayer.
Former Superintendent Claude Tiller resigned in February after making controversial comments on an Atlanta radio show on Feb. 6. Tiller’s resignation created tensions between the school board and the community.
Bayer said she hopes this new school year ushers in a spirit of unity. She said the district has captured that spirit with a new motto: “We are one.”
“When we went through a difficult time and realized how closely connected our district is to the community, I wanted to make sure that we embraced the community and that they knew how important they were to us and that we welcomed them to help us make this district the best it can be,” Bayer said.
A new literacy curriculum from preschool through 8th grade is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to improving the district. It’s part of Act 20, a state law that requires school districts to transition to reading science.
Bayer said Green Bay successfully piloted this educational program last year.
“The results have been amazing. We are very pleased with what we are seeing. That is why we are starting this year to familiarize all of our students with the new curriculum already at the elementary school level,” said Bayer.
Malcore said he is also looking forward to transitioning to this new curriculum for his students.
“It’s a welcome change. It’s a missing piece that we’ve been trying to fill in to get more phonics instruction and that foundational piece,” Malcore said.
Malcore said he also hopes the district’s new mission statement will help ensure a first-class education.
“We work together to create who we want to be as a learning community and celebrate all unique backgrounds, experiences and learning opportunities.”
