GC-B approves sharing middle school

In a joint meeting held last week (Jan. 22) in Gilmore City, the Gilmore City-Bradgate and West Bend-Mallard school boards approved a change to their whole grade sharing agreement. The boards approved an addendum, which will allow GC-B students in grades 7-8 to attend classes in West Bend in the coming fall, 2013. The two districts are currently in the second year of a three-year sharing agreement in which originally, GC-B would send its students in grades 9-12 to West Bend for classes and activities. That agreement allowed for a change if enrollment concerns at one of the districts necessitated a change. Presently, GC-B has four students in sixth grade and six in seventh grade, which would make a combined 10 students in grades 7-8 next year in GC-B’s middle school. “The athletic sharing agreement will remain unchanged. For example, middle school winter sports will continue to be here in Gilmore City for practices and games,” GC-B School Superintendent Ron Bollmeyer said. With the departure of students in grades 7-8 next year, there will be available space in the Gilmore City school building. Bollmeyer said the district will have several options to consider regarding the freed up classroom space.