The Weekly Update

This morning, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office, Mequon Police Department, Germantown Police Department, and the Wisconsin State Patrol conducted a pre-planned K-9 search at East and West High Schools and Badger Middle School. During the searches, the schools were placed on a hold, which includes clearing hallways and having students remain in a classroom continuing to receive instruction until the “all clear” is given. Staff and families were notified following the visit debrief.

No drug related arrests were made or citations issued. A citation was issued at Badger Middle School for the possession of a multi-use tool that included a knife. Certain items, while seemingly harmless at home or in other contexts, could be viewed as threatening or cause concern if brought to a school environment. Please review the “Items that Cannot be Brought to School” section on our safety and tip lines webpage on the website.

Students have the day off on Friday, October 18. On the same day, teachers and other staff will gather by grade or subject to complete professional development.

For example, elementary teachers will work to deepen their understanding of the English Language Arts curriculum CKLA and lesson planning protocol. Math teachers will review

strategies to build and sustain a mathematical classroom community that focuses on

making student thinking visible, while science will align learning targets to standards assessments.

Go to marcuscenter.org/MLK for all the details on the 41st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration contest for students. Entries can be made in the art, essay, poetry, and speech contests and winners will receive their prizes at an event at the Marcus Center for Performing Arts next year.

Want to help make a difference for students? How about sharing your coaching skills? There are a variety of open high school and middle school coaching positions now open. In addition, there are other job openings within the West Bend School District in food and nutrition and aide positions. Review the openings on the website: https://www.west-bend.k12.wi.us/CSS/.

Residents have asked us about their property being reassessed and what it means for their taxes. Being reassessed is an action of the municipality where the property is located. It means the local assessor is adjusting the assessed values of the properties in the municipality to reflect current market conditions. The process is intended to bring the assessment in line with the Fair Market or Equalized value of the property and is necessary to ensure fair distribution of tax burden.

Reassessment does not change the tax revenue the school district collects, but it can shift the amount each property owner is charged. If a new assessment increases more than others in the municipality, the share the owner pays in taxes may go up. Conversely, if the assessment decreases or increases less than others, the tax share will go down.

For additional information, contact the local municipality/assessor or go to the Department of Revenue 2024 Guide for Property Owners.

Last week after the West Bend School Board meeting, more details on both the timing of projects if the referendum is approved and plans in the event of non-approval were added to the website, including:

-- If the November 5 referendum is approved, Decorah Elementary, Fair Park Elementary, Rolfs Education Center, and the Education Service Center (ESC) will be closed to avoid $51 million in future maintenance costs. The current Jackson Elementary School will also be closed after a replacement is built. This will provide an improved educational environment for all students, fully use space available in other schools, and optimize operational efficiency.

• Closure of Fair Park, Decorah, Jackson, and Rolfs will take place in summer 2027.

• These students will start in their new schools in the 2027-2028 school year.

• District operations and high school improvements will be completed prior to the 2028-2029 school year.

• Closure of the ESC will take place in summer 2028.

-- If the November 5 referendum is not approved, Decorah, Fair Park, Rolfs, and the ESC will still close.

• The timeline for closure will be adjusted so that Fair Park and Decorah close at the end of the 2025-2026 school year.

• The district would then close the ESC and Rolfs. The anticipated date of these closures would be at the end of the 2027-2028 school year.

-- The district is exploring opportunities for the closing buildings, which may include leasing or sale of the properties. Before this takes place, the district will pursue an appraisal of the buildings, then review legal, environmental, and market considerations to determine the most viable and responsible approach to reuse or sale of the properties.

Please go to the referendum website and scroll to the Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for more details.

Georgia Haddorff of the West tennis team qualified for the WIAA State Tennis Championships as a singles player. She will compete on Thursday, October 17 at Nielsen Stadium at UW-Madison.

Emy Miller of the West volleyball team achieved a milestone by obtaining 1,000 digs. Miller is averaging 14.4 digs per match. The current school record is 1,255.

The West High School Homecoming Court
Front Row: Stella Gardner (grade 10), Ava Timm (grade 11), Avah Banks (grade 12 and queen), Lily Inkmann (grade 12), Leah Gripentrog (grade 9) Back Row: Briggs Orth (grade 10), Milo Karl (grade 11), Matthew Crimmins (grade 12), Grant Walter (grade 12 and king), Aaron Much (grade 9)

The East High School Homecoming Court

Front Row: Lucy Merrill (grade 10), Florine Onvlee (grade 11), Mackenna Steiner (grade 12 and

queen), Elaina Shaver (grade 12), Amelia Fredericks (grade 9)

Back Row: Chase Lauters (grade 10), Jacob Kozlowski (grade 11), Reed White (grade 12 and

king), Ryan Rodriguez (grade 12), Grant Young (grade 9)

There are various events and activities available on the WBSD’s Community Bulletin Board!

Columns Holiday Pops Concert Tickets

Halloween at The YMCA Event

YMCA Fall 2 Program Registration

McLane PTA Fundraiser at Little Ceasar's

Jackson Cub Scout Pack 3787 Upcoming Events

United Way Dolly Parton Imagination Library Free Book Program

Jackson Rec Glo Run

Good News Club Afterschool Program

YMCA Swim Lessons for WBSD Students

4C Family Center Playgroups

Bill of Rights Day Event

Bill of Rights Essay Contest

Cub Scout Pack 3796