Board reviews 2025-26 staffing plan; administration expects to balance budget via attrition

Assistant Superintendent Lenny Hansen presented the West Bend School District's staffing plan for the 2025–26 school year at the April 14 board meeting and told the board the plan is being presented for discussion and will be returned for formal approval on April 28.

Hansen said the staffing plan is built around three inputs: student needs, enrollment trends and the budget. He emphasized that declining enrollment, particularly at the high school level, is driving projected staffing changes. "The declining enrollment bubble is hitting the high school," Hansen said, and noted the district plans to address reductions primarily through retirements and normal attrition rather than layoffs.

Board members pressed the administration for numbers. One board member asked about per-pupil revenue and whether attrition would produce sufficient savings to cover the projected loss of students. Hansen responded that the district's current revenue limit per pupil is $11,325 for the current year (and will increase by $325 next year), that categorical aids add additional funds, and that the district 'is extremely confident about being able to deliver a balanced budget' through attrition and careful planning.

Hansen said central-office staffing has declined significantly over recent years while certified staff declines have been smaller. He said central office roles have been reduced to preserve classroom staffing as much as possible and that the staffing plan is a living document that will be updated as registration and student-service caseloads evolve through spring and summer.

The staffing plan will come back to the board at the April 28 meeting alongside certified staff contract renewals.