Ballot initiative recommended for WSD
July 7, 2010
Wentzville School District
A committee of parents, educators, administrators and community members met on June 30 to discuss and plan for the continued enrollment growth in the Wentzville School District. The Facility Steering Committee was addressed by Superintendent Dr. Terry Adams and Chief Financial Officer Kari Monsees who presented the history, current status and projected enrollment for the District.
Just a decade ago, in the 2000-2001 school year, enrollment in the Wentzville School District was under 6,000 students. Enrollment this year topped 12,000, and the projected enrollment over the next five years is expected to exceed 15,000. Dr. Adams added that those numbers are conservative estimates that have been adjusted downward due to the economy. Data was also presented showing that the current enrollment, even without any additional growth, will require expansion at the middle and high school levels.
For the past school year, enrollment in the District’s two high schools totaled 3,264. When the students currently enrolled in 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grades all reach high school, that number will total 3,776. Design and capacity at Holt and Timberland high schools (even with the latest Timberland expansion) is for 3,600 students. Similarly, enrollment in the District’s elementary schools exceeds the current middle school capacity as well.
Recent US Census data also demonstrates the dramatic growth in the area since 2000. The communities of Wentzville, Lake Saint Louis, Dardenne Prairie and O’Fallon, which all feed the Wentzville School District, far out-paced the rest of the county in terms of new growth. During that period, the city of Wentzville had the largest population growth in the county at 69%.
The presentation included a summary of the Guiding Principles for our Schools (GPS) community meeting in January, where stakeholders expressed overwhelming support for a third high school, facility expansion at the middle and elementary school levels, and the need for continuing full-day kindergarten.
Committee members also had an opportunity for discussion after the presentation and expressed their support for a ballot initiative. The money would be used to continue full-day kindergarten, fund the needed facility expansion at the elementary and middle schools, and to build the first phase of a third high school. The District presently has funds from the 2008 bond issue to purchase land for the additional high school. Dr. Adams said he plans to make a recommendation for a November ballot initiative to the Board of Education at their next meeting on July 15, 2010.
From the Wentzville School District
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