October 22, 2024 – West Bend, WI – I am writing in regard to the West Bend School district’s referenda for $165,000,000. My name is Dan Krier, and I have been a resident of West Bend most of my life and attended school here. My children attended public schools here as well. Over the years I have been very involved in the community including being on the Citizens Facility Advisory Committee in 2017 for the 2019 Referenda. Once again, in looking at the referenda I will be voting no and here is why.
What is concerning to me is that just as in 2017, no one discusses how this will improve the slipping scores of our students. While buildings are certainly needed to house students and keep them safe and secure, they don’t directly affect the level of education. How about focus on that first and foremost.
As far as buildings, some of the most successful schools in the country are strong old buildings that have been updated, not replaced. In 2017 the security of the entrances was a dire concern. Unfortunately, while our district spent money to conform HS space to their liking, they did not sufficiently address those more alarming concerns and here we are again asking for money to do just that.
Therefore, how can we expect fiscal responsibility in regard to these referenda when there are so many concerns within. If we spend $165,000,000 and retire the use of 5 buildings, there is no guarantee the money gained with the leasing or sale of those buildings will be used to pay down the debt.
With much of the $165,000,000 being maintenance that should have been covered in the normal budget, that is a concern. I asked this question of the superintendent and was told that will be up to the school board. That is exactly how we ended up spending on liked projects over safety projects.
I absolutely don’t believe in basically throwing away buildings because some would rather have new. The Jackson school has been on referenda since 2007 and has been rejected each time but they keep bringing it back. The majority of Jackson elementary is a solid building. In 2017 the main concerns presented to us were there wasn’t enough room for expansion and even if there was, there is too much traffic around the school.
Also, the concern of the oldest part of the school that may have some issues to be addressed. They are proposing to construct the new school in a high traffic area by the community center. And on a parcel of land that is not of the shape or even large enough to satisfy what is expected of an efficient build and use of a new elementary school. In 2017, we even got the consultant to tell us that a clean 15 acres is recommended.
Over the years I have heard it all as to what buildings need to be replaced. A number of years back it was McLane that was absolutely uninhabitable. Since then, it was updated and is one of our best elementary schools. It is actually, the one my kids attended.
Back in 2009 It was Badger that absolutely needed to be replaced so they tore down the most solid part of the building and kept the least quality of build that now needs more updates. It took almost 6 months to demolish that old building. That is how solid it was. Your students were safe in that building as it was built around war time and was built like a fallout shelter.
Several of us at that time developed a plan to tear out the dropped ceilings and completely update the HVAC, electrical, etc., add elevators for ADA accessibility and even replace all of the windows for less than half of what was spent for the new part.
They wouldn’t even listen to us. Upon completion of the new build, we found that the new track wasn’t even the right length to host track events. And the parking and drive through for pickups? Well let’s just say neighbors are not happy with the cars all over the streets because of the lack of space. I see the same issue with the new design for Jackson. There are so many more discrepancies I see.
For those of you that don’t know me, I may not be an expert but I do have some experience in the building of educational structures. I was on the Steering Committee for the planning of, design of, construction of, and then the staffing, curriculum, and operation of the Applied Manufacturing Technology Center at MPTC when I was an instructor there.
Like I said, I will be voting NO as I would like to see a much more comprehensive plan that makes sense for the students and parents of this community.
Dan Krier
West Bend, Wi
WCI COMMENTING RULES OF ETIQUETTE:
While open and honest debate is encouraged here, Washington County Insider asks that you comply with the following rules for posting. Those who do not comply will have their posts removed which may result in being banned from commenting.
Washington County Insider will not publish comments that:
- Are considered likely to provoke, attack, or offend others. This is known as “trolling.” Trollers know when they are trolling, and so do we. *See definition of “troll” below. If you notice a few consistent blog trolls disappear, you’ll know why.
- Are sexually explicit, abusive, or otherwise objectionable.
- Contains inappropriate or vulgar language that is likely to offend.
- Break the law or condone or encourage unlawful activity. This includes breach of copyright, defamation, and contempt of court.
- Advertise products or services for profit.
- Are seen to impersonate someone else.
- Repeatedly post the same or similar messages (‘spam’)
- Include personal contact details such as telephone numbers and postal or email addresses.
- Include a link or photo that has not been approved by the editor prior to posting.
- Are considered campaigning. See also “trolling” above.
- Are unrelated to the topic.
NOTES:
- Just because your comment doesn’t show up right away doesn’t mean you’re being censored. When you post a comment it must first go through our filtering software. If it fails, your comment goes into a queue for manual approval.
- Just because a comment or advertisement is on the site, doesn’t mean WCI endorses it.
- The above rules are not intended to stop criticism or dissenters, but rather to stop those who are incapable of participating in a civilized manner.
*Trolling: a troll is a person who sows discord on the Internet by starting arguments or upsetting people, by posting inflammatory,[1] extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community (such as a newsgroup, forum, chat room, or blog) with the intent of provoking readers into an emotional response[2] or of otherwise disrupting normal, on-topic discussion,[3] often for the troll’s amusement. (source: Wikipedia)
All letters must include a US Postal address and direct cell/phone number for record keeping.
» Letters concerning referendums will be published with the caveat your home address must be in the district affected by the referendum.
Email your political/election-related letters to the editor to washcoinsider@gmail.com
All letters to the editor for the November 5, 2024, General Election must be submitted by end of business day, October 25, 2024.
All letters must include a US Postal address and direct cell/phone number for record keeping. All submitted letters regarding the referendum, the author must live in the community impacted by the referendum.