SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) - An estimated 200 people turned out at North High School Tuesday night to hear the Sheboygan Area School Administration make its recommendation on Washington Elementary School. Superintendent Joe Sheehan told the gathering that the recommendation is to close the school at the end of the school year. He said the 100-year old school needed too much updating to be renovated. District staff then explained how and why the decision was made. They said most of the 350 students will be going to Grant or Jefferson Elementary Schools next year. Most the staff from Washington would be absorbed in other schools due to an expected 50 to 60 retirements. Sheehan said there is plenty of room for the students and that’s why they decided against a referendum on whether or not to build new at a cost of at least 12-million dollars. Many of the parents and others at the meeting disagreed and called for a referendum. It's estimated that a new building would add about seven dollars to the average tax bill in Sheboygan. The board took no action Tuesday night and will hold informational meetings at Urban Middle School on April 2nd and 3rd before taking final action when they meet on April 9th.