The Weekly Update

Thank you to our families and the communities for your support and engagement in the November 5 facilities referendum. We are excited to announce that the referendum has been approved by school district voters with the unofficial results reported as 18,470 “yes” votes to 13,657 “no” votes. This vote represents a commitment to creating safe, secure, and operationally efficient learning environments that will benefit not only our students, but also the broader community. This investment will allow us to:

• Upgrade Safety and Security Features: Essential improvements, including secure entryways and enhanced emergency systems, will be added to multiple schools to protect our students and staff.

• Close and Consolidate Select Buildings: By consolidating and updating our facilities, we can avoid millions in capital maintenance costs on aging buildings, better matching our capacity to current enrollment while reducing operational expenses.

• Realign Grade Levels: Adjusting grade configurations will support developmental needs and improve the use of classroom space across the district.

• Build a New Jackson Elementary School: A new facility designed for grades K-5 will be constructed on district-owned land, providing an improved learning environment.

Over the next several weeks, we will begin working with our architectural and construction partners to begin the detailed design process for all projects, establish timelines, and ensure each phase aligns with our commitment to educational excellence and fiscal responsibility. We anticipate starting design work in late November with construction estimated to start on the new Jackson Elementary School in late 2025. Our goal is to minimize disruptions while maximizing the benefits of the facilities improvements for our students, staff, and the wider community.

Thank you again for your partnership in building a stronger future for the West Bend School District. We are honored to move forward together and will continue to keep you updated as we progress on this vital work. For ongoing project information, please visit our website at wbsdreferendum2024.org.

Sincerely,

Jen Wimmer, Superintendent

District News

High School Fall Play Presented November 15, 16, and 17

Holiday Pops Concert is December 10

West Bend High Schools Annual Blood Drive

School Board News

Recap of November 4 Meeting

Student and Staff Achievements

Golf Academic All-Stars

Tickets for the COLUMNS Holiday Pops Concert by the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra are available. The concert is Tuesday, December 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Silver Lining Arts Center at the high schools building. Tickets are $30 each and available at Jeff’s Spirits on Main, Horicon Bank, and Sendik’s or by calling Horicon Bank at 262-808-2670 or Pick Heaters at 262-338-1191.

COLUMNS is the local organization that generously provides scholarships to East and West seniors for post secondary education each year. This event is the main fundraiser for those scholarships.

The West Bend School Board recognized a runner on the West Boys Cross Country team, the Trail Sharks mountain biking team, and a member of the West Girls Tennis team.

The clerk’s report included a notice to the community regarding deadlines for filing for board candidacy or non-candidacy for the Spring 2025 election. The superintendent also provided a report. There was discussion on out-of-state and out-of-country trip requests and action on revenues and expenditures in the aggregate through September 30, 2024.

If you are interested in reviewing the details of the meeting, see this tutorial on how to access the agenda with links to the supporting documents. The video of the meeting is also available.