Luanne O’Leary – Green Bay Area Public School District

As director of facilities for the Green Bay Area Public School District (GBAPS), Luanne O’Leary has made it her mission to ensure that every child steps into a learning environment that is safe, warm, and clean but also inspiring and equitable. This responsibility is no small feat in a district that serves more than 17,000 students from diverse backgrounds. But for O’Leary, it’s more than a job—it’s a calling.

“For the first time in my career, I feel I’m making a difference. It’s more than just a job,” O’Leary says.

With more than a decade of experience in facilities management and a background in architectural engineering, O’Leary is part of one of the most ambitious modernization efforts the district has seen in decades: consolidating outdated schools, expanding existing ones, and building the first new school in West Green Bay in over 40 years. Backed by a community-approved $183 million referendum, these projects are about more than bricks and mortar—they’re about reshaping education for future generations.

Strategic consolidation

With aging infrastructure, declining enrollment, and changing demographics, GBAPS has begun a calculated consolidation process to serve its student population better. Last year, three schools were closed, and three more are slated to shut their doors after June 2026. In their place, the district is expanding two existing schools—doubling their size—and constructing a new, energy-efficient elementary school in West Green Bay.

“Families are smaller, and enrollment patterns have shifted,” O’Leary explains.  “We don’t need as many schools, and our building spaces haven’t kept pace with that reality.”

The math speaks for itself: renovating three schools built in 1939, 1958, and 1969 would cost about $15 million each to bring them up to code, and they’d still be outdated. Instead, the district invests $40 million in a new, sustainable elementary school. This allows for the reallocation of resources to modernize select existing buildings.

This consolidation allows for smarter resource distribution—fewer facilities to maintain and the ability to provide full-time services like nursing, counseling, and security staff at every school.

“By pooling our resources and narrowing our focus, the student experience gets better across the board,” O’Leary says.

A model for the future in West Green Bay

One of the most exciting components of this facility’s overhaul is constructing a new school on Green Bay’s west side—the area’s first in over four decades. Set to open in Fall 2026, the school will feature cutting-edge, sustainable design and symbolize community renewal.

Among its most innovative features are geothermal heating and cooling, solar panels on the roof, LED lighting, and Sage glass that automatically tints to control sunlight and reduce energy use.

“We won’t even have a boiler,” O’Leary says, beaming. “This is about building better, not just building new. Our kids deserve facilities and equipment that reflect the world they’re growing up in.”

This forward-thinking approach is possible thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, which provides credits and incentives for green infrastructure.

“These are the kinds of things we’re doing behind the scenes,” she adds. “They make a real difference.”

Community support for the referendum, which passed with 67 percent approval, has been essential. “People are passionate about their schools,” she says. “They want to see them thrive, even as we change how they look.”

Fostering a Culture of Care and Purpose

O’Leary’s leadership style emphasizes more than operational excellence—it’s rooted in compassion, mentorship, and a deep understanding of the district’s mission. Her journey into education facilities wasn’t a straight line. With a degree in architectural engineering from Milwaukee School of Engineering and years spent in plant operations at Aurora BayCare Medical Center and Procter & Gamble, O’Leary eventually followed her heart into public service.

“I’m too much of a people person,” she laughs. “When I saw the job posting for the school district, it felt like a scene out of Field of Dreams. Dumb luck, maybe—but I knew it was something bigger than myself.”

Now, in her role as director of facilities since July 2022, she ensures every new hire understands the weight of their work.

“When we bring someone onto our team, I make it clear—they’re impacting kids’ lives. Some of these children don’t have a positive adult role model at home. You might be the only positive force they see in a day.”

The pride she takes in her team is palpable.

“You’ll never have a job like this. Kids will sing you songs, draw pictures, and call you a rock star if they see you at the grocery store.”

Safety, security and student-centered innovation

Creating a safe environment is foundational to the work O’Leary oversees. In recent years, GBAPS has implemented districtwide upgrades to bolster safety protocols, which are crucial in today’s climate.

A new emergency alert system allows staff to use their ID badges to signal distress, from falls to active shooter situations. Classroom locks will be upgraded with visual indicators—green for unlocked, red for locked—so teachers and emergency responders know the status with just a quick glance.

“Prepare for the worst, and hope for the best,” O’Leary says. “We must be proactive because these kids deserve to feel safe daily.”

Additionally, infrastructure upgrades prioritize accessibility and inclusivity. Modernized buildings are ADA-compliant and designed to promote equal access to resources for all students, regardless of background or ability.

The district’s commitment to equity extends beyond construction materials.

“We can’t have new equipment at one school and no playground at another,” O’Leary says. “We must be equitable across the board—our kids notice those things.”

She’s particularly proud that the new facilities and expansion will provide more consistent access to full-time support staff.

The new schools aren’t just nice-looking—they’re smarter. More services, better design, and spaces that help kids, teachers and staff do their best work.

With declining enrollment and an aging population in the district, GBAPS could have tightened its belt and focused on maintenance. Instead, under the team’s guidance and with support from the superintendent and community, it’s taking a bold step toward the future—one that embraces data-driven decisions, sustainable design, and heartfelt service to children.

“It’s not always easy. These decisions aren’t made lightly,” O’Leary admits. “People are passionate about their neighborhood schools, and we respect that. But we also put much effort into forecasting and using our data to make the best choices for our students and families.”

Ultimately, it’s that student-centered lens that guides every blueprint, every budget, and every building.

“The public-school landscape is tough,” she says. “But at the end of the day, these dedicated teachers and staff are helping raise kind, empathetic, fundamentally decent human beings ready to succeed. That’s what matters most.”

As the district prepares for the opening of its new school in 2026 and continues the process of consolidation and modernization, its collective efforts stand as a testament to what’s possible when facility leadership is grounded in purpose, equity, and an unwavering belief in the power of public education.