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West Bend-Mallard CSD projects enrollment rise and hears facilities cost estimates
Summary
Superintendent Paul Peppmeier told the board projected enrollment is 432 students (about 20 more than last year) and that 10 new teachers were hired; Estes Construction presented preliminary cost estimates for potential facility improvements and baseball coaches raised safety concerns at the Gilmore City field, prompting a planned joint meeting.
Superintendent Paul Peppmeier told the West Bend-Mallard Community School District Board on Aug. 20 that projected enrollment for the 2024–25 school year is 432 students, an increase of about 20 students from the prior year, and that the district has hired 10 new teachers ahead of the first day of classes.
The enrollment projection, Peppmeier said, comes as staff finished onboarding: "Today was a great day with all the staff back," he told the board. Principal Tiffany Morey thanked the board for the opportunity to lead, described positive energy among new staff and said classrooms and materials are being finalized this week.
Chad Alley of Estes Construction presented preliminary numbers for a set of facility-improvement projects the board had previously identified for study. Alley framed the figures as early estimates for the board to consider rather than final bids; the board took no action on facility improvements at the meeting.
Peppmeier also shared a letter from the baseball coaches raising safety concerns at the Gilmore City field. The superintendent said the district will hold a joint board meeting in October to discuss the coaches’ concerns, and that the Gilmore City–Bradgate School Board would conduct a walkthrough the following night to review safety issues there.
Why it matters: enrollment drives state funding and staffing needs; a sustained increase could affect classroom assignments and budgets. Facility improvements under consideration could require future board action and funding decisions. The district did not provide cost totals or a timeline for any construction at this meeting.
Next steps: the board received the construction estimates for review, recorded no decision on facility projects, and scheduled a joint discussion in October to follow up on the baseball-field safety concerns and any related facility work.
