WEST BEND, Wis. — West Bend East and West high schools will be combined into one starting in the 2027-28 school year after a unanimous vote from the school board.
The two schools have used the same building and shared administrative oversight for over 50 years, as well as the same academic programming, teachers and co-curricular activities. By merging the schools entirely, the district expects to save money in operational costs and program restructuring amid declining enrollment.
The consolidated school will be called West Bend High School. Superintendent Jennifer Wimmer said the rebranding process will be a “reallocation of current dollars with savings” and pose no additional cost to taxpayers. After rebranding is complete, the district estimates over $1 million in savings in the first three years.
“We’re not losing any of our academic excellence,” said Chris Jenkins, a current board member and former West Bend mayor. “We’re still going to have amazing teachers and amazing students and awesome programming. . . whether we have one high school or two.”
Students had mixed feedback: some prefer the tradition of rivalry between the schools in athletics and separate events like school dances. Others like the idea of simpler programming, more fairness in sports and less social division that one unified school could support.
The district first floated the idea of a high school merger after a facilities referendum passed in 2024 to build a new elementary school. That school will open in Jackson in the fall of 2027 to replace three elementary schools that will close over the next 15 months.
