History

Irving Pertzsch School was built in 1951, the first elementary school in Onalaska. It was named after Irving Pertzsch, who was mayor of Onalaska for over 30 years. The first principal was James M. Urban.

The original building had seven classrooms with a kitchen/meeting room. In 1956, six more classrooms, a lunch room, kitchen and separate meeting room were added. In 1967, an additional six classrooms and a gymnasium were built.

In 2006, the citizens of Onalaska voted yes to a remodeling and renovation project which gave Irving Pertzsch expanded classroom space, a new library, music room, art room, cafeteria, and a large group instruction area.

Groundbreaking for the project was May 2006. School started in September amid construction. The majority of the project was completed by February 1, 2007. The building had its dedication on March 4, 2007.

Currently, there are 19 classrooms with approximately 390 students in grades PreK through 5th.

For more information about Onalaska, refer to the book "From Sawmills to Sunfish" in the Irving Pertzsch LMC or at the Onalaska Public Library.