[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6549430,"mediaKeyId","5491289-dbaab495c68d0ffc2ce5334dce132fa5","parentId",5491289,"title","West Bend board to decide on The Glass Castle and The Color Purple after committee review","audioSeconds",2621,"startMs",2195000,"endMs",4816000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5491289-dbaab495c68d0ffc2ce5334dce132fa5&start=2195&end=4816","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5491289-dbaab495c68d0ffc2ce5334dce132fa5/thumbnail_2195000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6549430/Wisconsin/West-Bend-board-to-decide-on-The-Glass-Castle-and-The-Color-Purple-after-committee-review","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6549430-56bae8baeec43981785d36dfe06b1e8f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770924640&Signature=Uxmj3zeoiqhDT9UM-LJ2VDf7CWaPP5Nrkxt~UGllDXnC3QoW63Y47fgjWbWV4z7gJrWhP1q1VAhoeCb~y1iW9HFKUUT3M9cIagMwgWgknmo9n7hVgQPPacODk2XP7D0i5lD-X~l0YR9Tuq07w~4h3Y0TxtjqAy3YeV2ppajb1VC965i~708nQTGa2CWkr2ZMTVOHRh0IoJWp57yGE9~E9ZrdXyXIXHUunoIoyj~zT83PHCVKGLtikg41~sNVXHIIsbeur2q~34HL1~o3UETSdkMquC~A9~TueFdzDMOkBrWIg10cEk9yZabbuPSGX8ilh4kKFxCTnfgnlx4aEw9jlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","School Board of Wisconsin ","date","2025-06-18T21:42:47Z","article","The West Bend School District Board spent an extended portion of its July 28 meeting discussing two book-club titles teachers proposed for fall: The Glass Castle and The Color Purple.

District staff reviewed the board’s three-content filters (graphic violence, sexual content and obscene language), presented line-level examples and highlighted where each title had raised questions. Administrators said both texts are offered as book-club choices (not whole-class required texts) and that parent/guardian permission is required for participation in book clubs; families may opt out or sign a blanket permission at the start of the year.

On The Glass Castle (a memoir proposed for honors English 1, ninth grade), staff said the book contains violent episodes related to alcohol-fueled behavior and 71 instances flagged in a language review for words the district classifies as obscene. Staff described the book as a memoir that many colleges include on reading lists and emphasized the text’s redemptive arc. One trustee said the count mattered. “I think 71 instances is excessive,” Board member Chad said during the discussion. Other trustees said the book’s literary value and the fact it is a choice book weighed in its favor. Board member Kelly said, “If you haven't read this book, you need to read this book. It's probably one of the best books I've ever read.”

On The Color Purple (proposed for honors English 2, tenth grade), staff said the text contains more frequent references to sexual violence, racialized brutality and uses of the N-word and that it appears on advanced-placement course lists. Trustees debated whether those elements, presented matter-of-factly in the text, would be age-appropriate for tenth graders. One board member said the book’s historical context and use as AP-level material inform the decision.

After discussion the board chair asked whether there were objections to placing both titles separately on the next board agenda as action items; trustees had none and the chair said both books will be scheduled for a future vote. The board also directed administration to send the discussion and outstanding questions to the curriculum and policy committees so they can refine the district’s threshold and working definition for “obscene language” and other filters before the fall. Administrators said they would provide teachers an answer so classrooms and units can be planned for quarter one.

No formal approvals or rejections were made at the meeting; the titles will return to the board for action following committee work.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board Meeting - 7/28/25","oneSentenceSummary","The West Bend School District Board discussed two book-club titles — The Glass Castle and The Color Purple — July 28 and agreed to place each on a future agenda for formal action after curriculum and policy committees refine the district’s content filters.","taxTitle","West Bend School District, School Districts, Wisconsin","taxId",76567,"location","Wisconsin","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6549434,"West Bend board hears referendum construction updates for McLean, GreenTree and Jackson",957,659000,1616000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5491289-dbaab495c68d0ffc2ce5334dce132fa5&start=659&end=1616","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5491289-dbaab495c68d0ffc2ce5334dce132fa5/thumbnail_659000.jpg","/articles/6549434/Wisconsin/West-Bend-board-hears-referendum-construction-updates-for-McLean-GreenTree-and-Jackson","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6549434-770561d06710f99354235b591709dae9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770924640&Signature=lgjPkVjHR3n-odowT9kU8lbIG102VTYqwrVydE0~En2XfDOQP9gEpvfMERnfOu1Q-VjEbopGm9aMJ13vOGSRGF9gLUxbF6ecQjR--oNZxLn1coURlScMvy68z8XWRaRA-UoPK~YI8N5wL~FyctgN-X9ymzWRgqCsQ~OL4lFhh3feIwx5DIPmWJs2OwhZxYjFpUGFFcZCWbauQpInvHZSbPZdPCQsE74Sv6DsdVC3664MIfvcjlaMQDhCmKxKWw~f~SsJNcyRs3WjOa~eUzEu3SpIcOnKomjkJCUROwZUOFDlOhWTZpLArHdMW77dDOwWANnYrq7RQz6K5jOgPnqVeg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Bend School District Board received a construction update July 28 on referendum- and capital-funded work at McLean Elementary, GreenTree and Jackson elementary schools.

Tim Harder, the district’s Director of Facilities and Technology, told trustees “construction is moving along, as planned,” and presented photos showing interior framing, drywall and plumbing progress at both McLean and GreenTree. He said crews will begin drywall and insulation work after inspections and that in-wall electrical, security and wiring rough-ins are expected to be finished this week.

Harder said the McLean work includes restoring full-height classroom windows that had been previously infilled, repairing dry rot in some original trim and creating a new secure entry, main office and nurse’s space. He said some exterior window installations and larger elements such as gym-area glazing and an air-handling unit replacement will extend into the school year, but that the project team has phased work so classrooms and areas needed for opening will be ready. “There are things that happen,” Harder said of surprises exposed by demolition, adding the district is using contractor allowances and weekend crews to keep on schedule.

At GreenTree, Harder described a larger interior remodel that includes three restrooms being brought up to ADA standards, added early-learning classroom spaces (four classrooms plus a fifth support space) and a new secure entrance. He said interior toilet rooms for each early-learning classroom are already drywalled and being prepped for tile and that HVAC replacement for the school’s air-handling unit is planned for a later break (Thanksgiving or Christmas) because of long lead times.

Board members asked about risks to schedule and budget if crews encounter unexpected structural conditions. Harder said the district and contractor Findorff are in daily contact, using allowances and added crews when needed; he acknowledged some areas may be cordoned off at the start of school but said teaching staff will have the rooms they need. Board member Chris emphasized communicating clear phasing to families so they are not surprised by construction around open houses and the first days of school.

Harder also showed updated exterior renderings for Jackson Elementary, describing design changes to make the front of the building “more welcoming and less corporate” by adding color, benches, bike racks, different window partitions and child-friendly elements. He said the design team is exploring ways to reintroduce a bell and to reuse Jackson’s original cupola details in the landscape.

Regarding site approvals, Harder and district staff said the village of Jackson requested a formal traffic study; the district hired a partner, which has delivered a draft that district staff are reviewing before turning it over to the village. “They have delivered a first draft to us. Our team is reviewing that piece, and then we will turn that over to the village,” a staff member said. The village indicated it does not currently require district staff or the study partner to present in person when it reviews the draft.

Harder and administrators repeatedly framed the work as phased to ensure classrooms needed for the beginning of the school year are usable even if peripheral work continues. He recommended continued close coordination with Findorff and frequent project-team check-ins to avoid delays.

The board had no formal action on construction at this meeting; trustees asked administrators to continue phasing plans and family communications ahead of school start.","District facilities director Tim Harder told the board the McLean and GreenTree renovation projects are on schedule for classrooms to be ready by the start of school, though some exterior window and major HVAC work will continue later. The board was also briefed on revised exterior plans for Jackson and a traffic study the village requested.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6549425,"Board approves consent agenda; adopts 2024–25 budget amendment to set up audit",4255,635000,4890000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5491289-dbaab495c68d0ffc2ce5334dce132fa5&start=635&end=4890","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5491289-dbaab495c68d0ffc2ce5334dce132fa5/thumbnail_635000.jpg","/articles/6549425/Wisconsin/Board-approves-consent-agenda-adopts-202425-budget-amendment-to-set-up-audit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6549425-996ae4b7bf9132bd680efbc6130b23c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770924640&Signature=l63yvyZe2QJupO8QiE8P4zTyJ5AR5ee9EmZgY9lqpl1~Y7iBOLp7OcbplS8KNL6e9bfOZLDi980MUPJzA6vbhhZXHgOBUDv2mrRpCtbqL~~UcZQNjutfEu2w2RB8b0NFVam2C1Yx~WmeiNneviUZYNUGLtiA~P8F583uQmUV~0hjQoiny1iP~ewR04srVdtchWQWKXutcTLiysMe1jHijxc3G~pqv6hmCzkFV5Sb9fO-VSFirFfH~0q2OYFHqZxEvj0n-eIhjKJZrEws6Aphqv7LzVRlKVG37BNnBe51v4ioinfkIxouB-lsKY-FLtEO7bpCK6mijN8cQiaVbRpJ9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its July 28 meeting the West Bend School District Board approved its consent agenda and adopted a budget amendment for the 2024–25 fiscal year to align the district’s books before the external audit.

The consent agenda included minutes of the July 14 regular board meeting; five contracts; acceptance of a grant from the Mark G. Sellers Foundation to support an Imagine Learning math contract for grades 6–8; and the district’s annual at-risk plan. A motion and second carried the consent agenda without recorded opposition.

Assistant Superintendent Lenny Hansen presented the budget amendment, describing it as the district’s annual summer procedure to reconcile the most recent adopted budget with expected year-end revenues and expenditures ahead of the auditor’s on-site work. Hansen said most revenues and expenses in the amendment represent final or near-final figures, noting a few grant claims and June bills remain to be booked. “Nothing is final till the auditor says it is,” Hansen said.

Hansen highlighted several budget details for trustees:

- Special-education reimbursement from the state came in just under the previously expected 33% rate, at just under 31%, a shortfall Hansen said equates to roughly a quarter-million dollars for the district.

- Investment earnings on district funds exceeded the original budget by about 16%.

- The district recorded more than $2,000,000 in annual capital-improvement expenditures (separate from referendum projects) to maintain facilities.

- The district’s OPEB trust balance rose about 13% compared with the original budget, driven by earnings and additional district contributions.

- Elementary literacy materials related to Act 20 cost the district nearly three-quarters of a million dollars; the state’s biennial budget indicated the state will release some reimbursement the district expects to receive this fiscal year.

Hansen outlined the next steps: adopt the amendment (done at this meeting), proceed with the audit (auditors will be on-site in August), receive final state aid details in the fall, and present a finalized new-year budget in October; the completed audit is scheduled in the district’s calendar for January.

A motion and second to adopt the 2024–25 budget amendment carried without recorded opposition.","Trustees approved the consent agenda (minutes, five contracts, Mark G. Sellers Foundation grant acceptance, annual at-risk plan) and unanimously adopted the 2024–25 budget amendment to align year-end financials ahead of the auditor visit.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

West Bend board to decide on The Glass Castle and The Color Purple after committee review

West Bend board hears referendum construction updates for McLean, GreenTree and Jackson

Board approves consent agenda; adopts 2024–25 budget amendment to set up audit