ANNUAL REPORT 2026
WHAT’S NEXT STARTS HERE
Celebrating the achievements of today while preparing students for tomorrow
BUILDING WHAT’S NEXT
FACILITIES PLAN AND REFERENDUM
BOARD APPROVES 20-YEAR FACILITIES PLAN AND $100M NOVEMBER REFERENDUM QUESTION
As we celebrate a remarkable year of accomplishments across Elmbrook, we are also charting the course for our future. In August 2025, our Board of Education launched a comprehensive, multi-step planning process to identify and address district facility needs. This rigorous effort culminated in the Board’s approval of a 20-Year Facilities Plan and a $100 million referendum resolution for the November 2026 ballot.
FACILITY ASSESSMENTS
Independent experts inspected every school for safety, infrastructure, and learning space needs.FLAGGED MAJOR NEEDS
We separated routine maintenance from high-cost projects that exceed our annual budget.APPLIED DISTRICT STANDARDS
We evaluated all schools against Elmbrook's safety and classroom size guidelines alongside enrollment trends.EVALUATED SOLUTIONS
Industry experts helped develop concept plans, financing options, and risk-adjusted cost estimates.FILTERED PRIORITIES
To minimize costs, we prioritized renovations over new construction and delayed lower-impact projects.COMMUNITY FEEDBACK
In an April 2026 survey of 2,941 residents, 67% of likely voters backed this $100 million, four-school plan.
THE DUAL-INVESTMENT STRATEGY
The 20-Year Facilities Plan establishes a dual-funding strategy designed to impact all district facilities while protecting Elmbrook from the rising costs of maintenance and repair for its aging facilities.
$100 MILLION REFERENDUM
4 PRIORITY SCHOOLS
Built between 1958 and 1969:
Pilgrim Park Middle School, Wisconsin Hills Middle School, Swanson Elementary and Tonawanda Elementary.
Investment Includes:
Address Aging Facility Needs
ADA Improvements
Classroom Renovations
Create Dedicated Support Spaces
Prioritized needs exceed regular annual operating budget thresholds.
OPERATING BUDGET
ALL DISTRICT FACILITIES
Planned over the next 15 years:
$90 Million from the District's operating budget and savings.
Budget Sustains:
Ongoing Maintenance
Safety Refreshes
Technology Updates
Facility and Program Improvements
This balanced financial approach ensures that large-scale renovations at high-priority buildings do not drain the day-to-day resources necessary to maintain the rest of the district's facilities.
Tax Stabilization Strategy: To minimize the impact on taxpayers, the referendum has been timed alongside the retirement of past community investments, while maximizing long-term infrastructure stability
UNDERSTANDING THE
FINANCIAL & TAX IMPACT
MILL RATE IMPACT
The projected 2028 debt mill rate with the proposed referendum is compared to the current 2025 debt mill rate, illustrating a net increase of $0.11.
THE FINANCIAL OUTCOME OF THE VOTE REPRESENTS TWO DISTINCT PATHS FOR THE ELMBROOK PROPERTY OWNERS:
A tax impact calculator and project details are available on the district website.
SCHOOL PROJECT PROFILES
$100 MILLION REFERENDUM | 4 PRIORITY SCHOOLS
These projects are intended to modernize learning spaces, improve accessibility and safety, and ensure these schools continue serving students and the community for decades to come.
PILGRIM PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL
Built in 1958
2025 Enrollment: 915
Facility Capacity: 1,146
Cost Estimate
$50,368,000Update to current ADA accessibility standards
Expand gym to a middle school-standard, two court facility
Update art, wood and tech classrooms
Improve traffic flow and light renovations in all classrooms
WISCONSIN HILLS MIDDLE SCHOOL
Built in 1958
2025 Enrollment: 854
Facility Capacity: 1,155
Cost Estimate
$6, 389,000Update robotics, wood, art and tech classrooms
Update music area to current ADA accessibility standards
Remodel cafeteria for instruction and community use
SWANSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Built in 1960
2025 Enrollment: 785
Facility Capacity: 995
Cost Estimate
$9,526,000Redesign academic support spaces
Remodel library and large learning spaces
Light renovation in all classrooms (ceiling, lighting, paint, flooring)
TONAWANDA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Built in 1969
2025 Enrollment: 518
Facility Capacity: 565
Cost Estimate
$33,717,000Replace open-concept classroom layout for focus and safety
Expand undersized classrooms
Create academic support spaces
Add two classrooms to increase enrollment capacity for future flexibility
ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
ACADEMIC AND STUDENT SUCCESS
ACHIEVING WHAT’S NEXT
Elmbrook earned an impressive 89 on the 2024–25 State Report Card, ranking third among Wisconsin 4K–12 districts with over 2,500 students. Elmbrook remains one of only three districts in the state to maintain the top rating every year—and for the first time ever, all nine Elmbrook schools individually achieved the highest distinction of:
SCHOOLS OF RECOGNITION
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction recognized two Elmbrook schools as 2024–25 Wisconsin Schools of Recognition, honoring outstanding academic achievement.
BURLEIGH ELEMENTARY
High Achieving & High Progress
PILGRIM PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL
High Achieving
TEACHER
OF THE
YEAR
Allison Urban, a special education teacher at Pilgrim Park Middle School, was named a 2026 Wisconsin Teacher of the Year by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Her recognition celebrates her dedication to inclusive education and her impact on students, families, and the broader school community.
ARTS & CO-CURRICULARS
Photo courtesy of David Barron
BACK-TO-BACK
Three Elmbrook state champions successfully defended their titles in 2025–26: BCHS Girls Soccer, BEHS Girls Tennis, and BCHS track and field athlete Kyenret Rinkam in the 100-Meter dash.
WIAA D1 Girls Tennis Team Champions
KYENRET KINKAM (BCHS ‘27)
WIAA D1 Girls Track 100 & 200-Meter Champion
INDIVIDUAL STATE CHAMPIONS
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PAYTON HAUGEN
BEHS ‘26
WIAA D1 Girls Golf Champion and State Record Holder
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CAROLINE WANEZEK
BEHS ‘26
WIAA D1 Girls Swim 100-Yard Butterfly Champion
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CAROLINE RASTER
BEHS ‘26
WIAA D1 Girls Tennis Singles Individual Champion
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JAKE ZHENG & RYKER KOCH
BROOKFIELD EAST
WIAA Division 1 Boys Tennis Doubles Champions
17 JERRY AWARDS
Brookfield Central and Brookfield East earned a combined 17 Jerry Awards for their productions of Something Rotten, Little Women, and Pippin through Wisconsin's statewide high school musical theater recognition program.
TEAM SUCCESS
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![Team Hazmat FTC Robotics]()
TEAM HAZMAT
FTC Robotics State Champions
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![BCHS Mock Trial Team]()
BROOKFIELD CENTRAL
Mock Trail State Champions
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![Team Build FLL Robotics]()
TEAM B.U.I.L.D
FLL Robotics State Champions
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![Wisconsin Hills Science Bowl Team]()
WISCONSIN HILLS
Science Bowl State Champions
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![Brookfield East gold team holding state runner up trophy]()
BROOKFIELD EAST
WIAA D1 Girls Golf Team Runner-Up
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![Boys Swim holding runner up trophy]()
BROOKFIELD BARRACUDAS
WIAA D1 Boys Swim Team Runner-Up
CELEBRATING WHAT’S NEXT
EMBRACING OPPORTUNITY
PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS
Brookfield Central seniors Vaidehi Ramachandrula and Riana Wolosek were named semifinalists in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. The two were among only 12 students selected as semifinalists from Wisconsin this year.
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
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VICTOR HAN
Victor, a National Merit Scholar, BCHS salutatorian and Top 300 Regeneron Scholar, developed an AI-powered diagnostic and rehabilitation system for patients with Parkinson’s disease.
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KRISHA PAKALA
Krisha, a National Merit Scholar, BCHS valedictorian, two-time state soccer champion and Tyro editor, excelled in academics, athletics and student leadership.
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JAKE ZHENG
Jake, a National Merit Scholar, BEHS valedictorian, state tennis champion and HOPE Squad member, combined academic excellence with leadershipand service.
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CAREENA EVENSON
Careena, a Jerry Award recipient, 'Future Teachers' student, cheer team member and vice president of Genesis (Brookfield East’s treble a cappella group) plans to pursue music education.
This year, Elmbrook Schools celebrated the 11th Annual Engaged in Excellence Awards, recognizing the outstanding educators, staff, volunteers, alumni, and community partners who make a lasting impact across our district.
Learn more about all our golden apple winners!
ELMBROOK RETIREE CLASS OF 2026
EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP
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KAY KOEPSEL-BENNING
District Wide
Kay, recipient of the 2026 WEMTA Excellence Award, was recognized for her contributions and leadership in the library profession.
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CINDY LAKATOS
Pilgrim Park
Cindy, recipient of the 2026 WSCA Changemaker Award, was recognized for her leadership and impact in supporting students.
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DAN MAKAL
Brookfield Central
Dan, recipient of the 2026 WSCA Division 2 Girls Coach of the Year Award, was recognized for leading Brookfield Central to consecutive state titles.
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KRISTA WITAK
Pilgrim Park
Krista, recipient of the 2026 Emerging Music Educator of the Year Award, was recognized for her leadership and impact on music education across Elmbrook.
SUPPORTING WHAT’S NEXT
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Throughout the year, District facilities provide space for thousands of community activities, programs, and events.
The annual English Learner Family Engagement Night is one of many community events hosted in District facilities throughout the year.
PARTNERS IN LEARNING
Elmbrook’s LAUNCH program connects students with community mentors and business partners through profession-aligned, project-based learning, providing authentic workplace experiences while helping local organizations solve real-world challenges.
LAUNCH MEDICINE & HEALTHCARE COMMUNITY IMPACT
Students gain hands-on healthcare experience through partnerships with Ascension Elmbrook Hospital, Brookfield Regency Senior Community, and Discovery Commons Brookfield. These experiences build career-ready skills while connecting students with patients, residents, and healthcare professionals.
ELMBROOK EDUCATION FOUNDATION
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$75,000 RAISED FOR UNIFIED SPORTS
The Elmbrook Education Foundation raised $75,000 to sustain and expand Unified Sports, supporting students with and without disabilities through shared athletic experiences.
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406 STUDENTS | 76 VOLUNTEERS
The Foundation’s Intergenerational Reading Program, connects community volunteers with young learners to strengthen reading skills and build meaningful relationships.
GUIDING WHAT’S NEXT
BOARD LEADERSHIP
ACADEMIC SCHEDULING
Following extensive community engagement, the Board approved a new Middle School Schedule and School Start Times for the 2027–28 school year at its April meeting. These changes expand learning opportunities while prioritizing student well-being and academic success.
