The Weekly Update

One of the West Bend School District’s favorite traditions is the annual Grad Walk, taking place this year on the morning of Friday, May 29. During this celebration, graduating seniors will return in their caps and gowns to walk through their elementary schools, as well as Silverbrook and Badger, while students and staff cheer them on.

To help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone, all visitors aside from the graduates must enter through each school’s main entrance. As part of daily security practices, visitors are required to provide identification and complete the Raptor visitor check-in process. Guests who choose to remain outside on school property will be asked by staff to wear a visible visitor badge and stay within designated observation areas.

Families with younger children may also want to talk with them about the Grad Walk beforehand so they know what to expect during this fun and festive event. If you have questions about the event, visitor procedures, or student arrangements, please contact your school principal. Thank you for joining us as we celebrate the Class of 2026.

David Riley, assistant principal for East and West High Schools, has accepted a principal position in a neighboring school district. He will remain at East and West through June. Mr. Riley has been with the West Bend Schools for three years as assistant principal. Prior to the West Bend School District, he worked in the Waukesha School District for 12 years. Congratulations on his appointment as principal; we wish him the best.

If you’re moving this summer or anytime, it is very important to inform the West Bend School District as soon as you know you’re moving. We have an easy change of address form on the website along with more details about making the update.

If moving out of the WBSD attendance area, you can review information on tuition waivers and open enrollment to remain in the WBSD.

The deadline for the Washington County “I Voted” Sticker Contest is May 31. The contest is to design the “I Voted” sticker for the 2026 General Election and is open to students in grades 5-12 in the county. Four winning designs, one from each age group (K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12) will be selected and distributed to voters during the November 3, 2026 General Election.

Submissions will be accepted through May 31 at www.washcowisco.gov/ivotedsticker.

The site of the new Jackson Elementary School is a busy place. The building continues to take shape, with steady progress being made each week. In the coming weeks, crews will complete foundation work at the back of the building, finish exterior foundation work around the cafeteria area, and install underground plumbing. Site grading, foundation work, and additional site preparation will also continue as construction moves forward.

Summer construction projects are already underway. Badger Middle, Green Tree Elementary, and McLane Elementary will be closed for construction. Silverbrook Intermediate will be partially closed for construction. This week, we are highlighting the Badger construction projects.

Badger Details

Construction preparation has begun at Badger. The building will be closed to the public beginning June 10. Projects scheduled for completion at Badger include:

• Replacement of a full fire alarm system including cabling, speakers,, light strobes, panels, and ties into other life safety alerting systems.

• Replacement of the gym floor and bleachers.

• Remodel of portions of the boys and girls locker room area to create ADA accessible restrooms/shower areas and repurpose un-needed space into smaller learning spaces.

• Replacement of some doors in the music area.

• Updates to HVAC control systems, sensors, etc.

The West Bend School Board held a regular meeting on Tuesday, May 26. The board approved the consent agenda with:

• Minutes of the May 11, 2026 Regular Board Meeting and Executive Session

• Contracts

• Resignations

• After School Club Vendor Authorization

• Contracted Speech/Language Services

• Interagency Agreement for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services

• Cooperative Educational Service Agency (CESA) Service Agreements

• Grade 6-8 English Language Arts Resource Recommendation

Several reports were given, including the Policy Committee Report, Construction Report, and Superintendent's Report.

The board approved a change in the Employee Health Clinic Agreement at a cost savings. The board also approved a change in grades 6-12 Alternative Education Resource to Subject.com.

Several discussion items were covered:

• Transportation Services Update, Elementary Route Times: The board discussed the details from the survey to elementary families and more details from discussions with Riteway.

• Employee Engagement: Some of the results of an internal employee engagement survey were the highest recorded since the district began disseminating the survey several years ago.

• Athletic and Activities Code of Conduct: There are a number of key proposed updates to the West Bend High School's Athletic & Co-Curriculars Code of Conduct Handbook that reflect current industry best practices.

• 2026-2027 Preliminary Budget: Planning for the upcoming budget is almost complete, although final state funding is not known until October.

The two policy readings included Policy 751 Student Transportation Services First Reading and Policy 830 Use of Facilities First Reading.

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. A video of the meeting is available.

At the West Bend High Schools Annual Band Awards event last week, a total of $3,000 in scholarships was awarded to eight students pursuing music endeavors this summer. The scholarships are funded by ticket sales to the Fall Indoor Marching Band Scholarship Concert. This year, The Bend Theater also contributed $250 towards the program.

(from left to right): Riley Tanner, Logan Haeuser, Izzy Fink, Shaylee Swillinger, Clyde Ritger, Shaine Korcari, and Zach Tanner. (not pictured) Michaela Chu

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

Athletics

West Bend East Girls Youth Basketball Camp

West Bend High Schools Track Summer Camp

West Boys Basketball Summer Camp

West Summer Volleyball Camp

West Jr. Sparties Fall Volleyball League

East Summer Volleyball Camp

Kettle Moraine Figure Skating Summer Learn How to Skate

Youth Summer Soccer Camp at Shephard of the Hills Church

FC Wisconsin Junior Academy Open House and Minis Fall Program

West Bend Badgers Football Summer Fundraiser

General

Cub Scouts Pack 3787 Pancake Breakfast

Summer Family Nature Counseling

Summer Child Nature Counseling

Musical Masquers Summer Camp

Big Brothers Big Sisters Golf Fundraiser

4H Inventors Quest Summer Camp

4H Build It Summer Camp

AFS International Exchange Program

Boys and Girls Club Silver Lining Family Fun Day

MOWA Summer Youth Workshops

West Bend Library Summer Programs

Summer Programming

Volunteer Center - Various Events, Etc.

YMCA - Various Events, Etc.