The future use of the Emerson Hough and Woodrow Wilson Elementary school buildings will be a topic of discussion for the Newton School Board for many months to come. 

This upcoming school year will be the last for the buildings as elementary schools. Starting with the 2026-2027 school year, all Kindergarten through 4th grade Newton students will either attend Aurora Heights Elementary or Thomas Jefferson Elementary. Both schools have been undergoing additions and renovations, but only Thomas Jefferson Elementary has remained in use while the improvements have been made. Newton Schools Superintendent Tom Messenger says what lies ahead for the Emerson Hough and Woodrow Wilson school buildings is unknown right now, but will be thoroughly discussed.

“One of the challenges is going to be for the school board to determine throughout this school year, what that means for the future of the Emerson Hough and Woodrow Wilson buildings. So some upcoming board meetings with discussion on that, to determine the future uses of those two locations.”

The Newton School District is transitioning to two elementary schools due to a consistent trend of lower enrollment at the elementary level.