To merge, or not to merge? West Bend School Board votes Monday on "east" vs. "west" issue

WEST BEND (WITI) -- To merge, or not to merge? That's the big question facing West Bend's School Board. Should West Bend West High School and West Bend East High School become one?

A merger would create the state's largest school district -- but similar movements failed in 1992 and 2008.

It is looking like that could be the case again. A survey of 2,400 people shows strong support for maintaining the "east" and "west" distinctions.

That's what the school district's superintendent based his decision on.

"Although there are good arguments on both sides of the question, at the end of the day, what`s really best for West Bend is what I believe is my recommendation -- which is to sustain a two-school system, maintain our East and West tradition, and move forward," Superintendent Ted Neitzke said.

The school board will take up the issue on Monday night, October 6th at 6:30 p.m.

Whatever decision the school board makes will be final.

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