Green Bay Reporter

The Green Bay Area Public School District has announced that its new west side elementary school will be named Starr Elementary School, in honor of Bart and Cherry Starr.

Bart Starr, a former Green Bay Packers quarterback and head coach, led the team to five NFL championships and two Super Bowl victories. He was recognized for his leadership and character. Alongside his wife, Cherry, he co-founded Rawhide Youth Services to assist at-risk youth and established the Starr Children’s Fund for childhood cancer research. The couple also supported the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation Golf Classic for 44 years. According to a news release, the new school will bear their name in recognition of their contributions to the community and youth causes.

The decision to name the school Starr Elementary followed a committee's review process that included former school board members, teachers, parents, and students compiling a list of potential names. The community response has been overwhelmingly positive. The new school will consolidate Kennedy, Keller, and part of MacArthur Elementary Schools. It is being constructed with support from the November 2024 referendum. Kennedy and MacArthur will close at the end of the 2025-26 school year, while Keller closed at the end of 2023-24.

On February 11, 2025, the district presented the final design for the new elementary school after incorporating feedback from staff, families, and community members. Adjustments included additional parking to ease congestion during drop-off and pick-up times, widening drive lanes for smoother exits, and enhancing safety with laminated glass windows and solar shades.

The Green Bay Area Public School District is located in Northeast Wisconsin and is the fourth-largest public school district in the state. It serves over 18,000 students across 39 schools. Founded in 1856, it includes communities such as Allouez, Ledgeview, Bellevue, Green Bay, and Scott. The district's history features notable events like the century-old football rivalry between East and West high schools and City Stadium as the original home field for the Green Bay Packers.