REAL ESTATE | Designs released for new Jackson Elementary School in West Bend School District

October 13, 2025 – Village of Jackson, WI – On Thursday, October 16, 2025, the Village of Jackson, WI, plan commission will review the Conditional Use and Site Plan for the proposed Jackson Elementary School, W204N16700 Jackson Drive in the West Bend School District.

The new school was part of a West Bend School District $165 million referendum on the November 5, 2024, ballot.

According to the plan commission report: West Bend School District is proposing to construct a new elementary school on land it currently owns along Jackson Drive in the Village of Jackson. The parcel consists of 17.298 acres (749,567 sf.) and consists largely of undeveloped agricultural lands.

The parcel also contains two existing buildings which were home to the Jackson Fire Department and Village Public Works Department. All structures, including existing pavement and other site improvements will be removed as part of the overall site preparation work.

The new elementary school will be 85,845 square feet in total area. While enrollment is anticipated to be around 400 students including kindergarten through fifth grades, the school is designed for an enrollment capacity of 500 students.

According to the district website, the enrollment at Jackson Elementary is currently “306 students and 22 teachers.”

According to the district, the current Jackson Elementary School is 59,336 square feet (per the district’s FAQ). In the 2024 referendum the proposed plan called for a new “building of approximately 82,350 square feet.”

Enrollments are anticipated to change when the district closes Fair Park Elementary School, Decorah Elementary School, the Rolfs Education Center and the Education Service Center building. The closures were part of the 2024 referendum.

Hard data provided by the WBSD shows population trends on the decline. A 2022 report titled Planning for Schools of Tomorrow outlined what’s ahead. Click HERE for the full report.

An email from WBSD superintendent Jen Wimmer dated October 14, 2024, indicated enrollment had declined. During a public meeting on the referendum October 10, 2024, Wimmer said enrollment was expected to fall to 5,000.

The plan commission report said, “The proposed site includes the primary school building, visitor and staff parking areas, and an interior courtyard containing a playground and outdoor learning area. Significant green space is also planned and includes three bio-retention ponds for stormwater management located in the northeast, southeast and east areas of the site.”

10142025 Jackson Plan Commission Packet APPROVED WBSD

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Potential Motions:
Motion to recommend the Village Board approve the conditional use request and proposed site plan for the new Jackson Elementary School located at W204 N16700 Jackson Drive, subject to the following conditions:

1. Recording of the updated Certified Survey Map with the Washington County Register of Deeds.

2. The execution of a definitive Development Agreement for the use of the subject property as a school, which development agreement shall include such terms and conditions as determined by the Village Board, including adequate provisions for the inspection, acceptance, and financial security for any improvements to be dedicated to the Village as well as traffic, parking, and pedestrian accommodations as determined by the Village Board.

3. Review and approval of the completed Stormwater Management Plan including the execution and recording of a post-construction stormwater management plan for the property.

4. The location of the west vehicle lane shall be reconfigured to remove the encroachment from the 25-foot setback area as indicated in the Consulting Engineers comments included in the Staff Memo.

5. Prior to the issuance of any permits, the developer/owner must reimburse the Village for any charge back fees and other related charges that may be outstanding.

6. The developer/owner is solely responsible for ensuring the proposed project complies with any private restrictions (e.g., covenants) and easements that may apply to the subject property.