| PROJECT DETAILS |
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| Jackson Elementary School |
There is one portion of the building that is more than 100 years old. The majority of Jackson Elementary School was built between 1955-1968.
- Have enhanced safety and security features that meet today’s safety standards.
- Be compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
- Include proper separation of pedestrians, vehicle and bus traffic and sufficient parking.
- Have energy-efficient systems and ample natural lighting.
- Feature classrooms and breakout spaces designed for student collaboration and hands-on learning.
- Include a gymnasium with seating and a separate cafeteria.
This conceptual image identifies a potential building location on the district-owned land and traffic circulation:
The proposed replacement Jackson Elementary School is projected to be 81,775 square feet. The current school is about 60,000 square feet.
The reasons include:
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There will be a separate gymnasium and cafeteria. Currently, most of the students each lunch in the gymnasium. When students are using the gym to eat lunch, physical education time is lost.
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The new gymnasium will be larger than the current gym, which was built in 1955. In addition to being a better facility for physical education classes, it will be used for athletic team events and practices and other events.
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Current space requirements for students with special needs, required ADA features in new buildings (e.g. wider hallways, accessible bathrooms, etc.), and a significant change in programming and learning since the school was built more than 50-60 years ago require more space.
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Most of the classrooms were built between 50 and 64 years ago. To meet the needs of today’s learners, the proposed plan would update classrooms and provide better access to technology, flexible furniture that can adjust to the needs of the teacher and students.
| West and East High Schools |
Most of the building that houses both West Bend East and West High Schools was built in 1970.
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The safety and security upgrades feature establishing better-controlled visitor access after entry into the building. This will involve moving the main entrances for both schools, which are now located on both the east side and west side of the building, to the part of the building facing Decorah Road. This will also involve moving the main offices to that part of the building as well. This will create one better-secured main building entrance, requiring all visitors to be routed through the main offices before gaining access to the rest of the school. (Area 1 on the image above.)
Also included in the security upgrades are controlled entries. Also included are:
- Adding new doors, buzzers, and lighting.
- Lockable doors to partition off school sections.
- Additional security cameras.
- Expansion of fire suppression and smoke alarm systems.
- Adding new door hardware and buzzers.
- Other controlled entries
- Update and expand Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) spaces to support growing curriculum and program offerings. These classrooms would be expanded and some would be moved. These updates would ensure college and career readiness through hands-on learning and job skill training. (Area 2 on the image above.)
- Upgrade nearly 50-year-old building infrastructures that are past useful life throughout all areas of the building including mechanical equipment, window replacements, plumbing systems, and information technology hardware, environment, and infrastructure.
- Renovate and enhance existing high school libraries creating student success centers that provide opportunities for hands-on learning, student collaboration, small group instruction, and greater access to technology. (Area 3 on the image below.)
| Why Now? |
The West Bend School board believes this is a good time to proceed with a referendum because...
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In a survey, 53 percent of people supported building a new school in Jackson; 67 percent of Village of Jackson and 62 percent of Town of Jackson residents supported building a new Jackson school
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The survey showed the highest level of support for improving safety and security and updating technical education classrooms and engineering
spaces in the high schools building
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The district has the lowest mill rate in the area
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Interest rates remain near historic lows
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Construction costs will continue to rise due to inflation
- A strong education system is the foundation of a vibrant community
