Wisconsin Education NewsAugust 21, 2025A daily update of education news and events that are taking place around Wisconsin. Register Today for Impactful Coaching Academy In this professional learning opportunity, participants will further develop the capacity to provide coaching and feedback that is aligned to high expectations, standards, and research-based effective instructional practices. Cohort 1 begins in September. Johnson brings homegrown perspective to Amery leadership role As Jeff Fern transitions into a new career, he leaves the assistant principal and athletic director position in capable hands. Dylan Johnson, an Amery graduate, has returned home and is eager to give back to a community he loves. Thanks to the educators at the district, they showed Johnson what he was capable of in education and used that experience, along with others, to pursue a career in the field. He credits many people for guiding him on his path because, at one point, he was a struggling student. UW-Madison loses federal grant to train psychologists in city schools Two years ago, UW-Madison received a $6 million, multi-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The goal was to expand mental health services in Madison’s school district by training 24 graduate students in local schools. The students would then work for three years in a high-needs school district after earning their degrees. Sneak peek: A look inside the new Sandy Slope Elementary School After several years of planning and construction, Sandy Slope Elementary School is set to open for the first day of school Sept. 2 at 2625 E. Edgewood Drive, Appleton. It is the Appleton Area School District's first new school building in 30 years, and the first new elementary school in 33 years. Sandy Slope has a few finishing touches to complete — the library is filled with curriculum materials, and some areas still smell like fresh paint — but is expected to be ready to welcome students on time. This fall, K-12 students will return for the first full school year since President Donald Trump began enacting his second-term education agenda. A lot has changed. The Trump administration intends to ban classroom lessons about systemic racism; cancel diversity, equity and inclusion programs; eliminate gender inclusion policies for LGBTQ+ students; open schools to immigration enforcement and more. Exactly how those actions will trickle into classrooms is murky — especially as Wisconsin and other states are immersed in lawsuits challenging the administration's policies. Here's where Wisconsin schools have seen the effects of federal changes so far. It's worth noting that education at the federal level right now is fluid; changes happen unpredictably and often — and can be reversed just as quickly. La Crosse School District implements new schedule changes for students LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) -- Students in the La Crosse School District will return to classrooms with significant schedule changes this year, as the district implemented new start times and began the academic year earlier than usual. The most noticeable change affects daily routines for thousands of families. Elementary schools now start at 7:45 a.m., while middle and high school students begin classes at 8:25 a.m. New MPS superintendent goes door-to-door to boost school attendance MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Public Schools, Wisconsin's largest school district, is in the midst of its back-to-school attendance push. New superintendent Dr. Brenda Cassellius spent her Wednesday going door-to-door in the neighborhood surrounding Westside Academy near N. 31st and Brown streets to encourage student attendance as the new school year approaches. The superintendent and her team of canvassers handed out enrollment resources and reminded families the first day of school is Sept. 2. Sun Prairie high schools enforce stricter phone policy MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) -This school year, there will be consequences for cell phone usage during class at Sun Prairie East and West High Schools. “It’s bell to bell, no cell. Phones down, futures up,” Jim Ertel, Sun Prairie East High School’s principal said. The high schools tighten up their cell phone and technology policy that is already in place. The policy is that students cannot have their phones or any personal technology devices out during class instruction. Athens K-12 continues referendum talks Debby Brunett of Baird Public Finance in Milwaukee provided the Athens Board of Education with options for various capital and operational referendums at Monday’s monthly meeting. Brunett said the district will have a projected $500,000 budget deficit beginning in 2027-2028 after the four-year, non-recurring operational referendum that voters passed in April of 2023 ends. Brunett believes it will be necessary for the board to ask voters to pass a new operational referendum so the district can continue to operate. Schools across NE Wisconsin prepare for a new school year with new cellphone policies KAUKAUNA, Wis. (WBAY) - Heading back to the classroom will look different for some students throughout northeast Wisconsin. Several school districts are focusing on reducing distractions for students during the school day with the implementation of new wireless communication devices policies. In some districts, devices like cell phones, smart watches, and wireless headphones are no longer allowed to be on or in use by students during instruction hours, a change some students are calling a big adjustment. Milton School District honors staff member for 50 years of service to district MILTON, Wis. (WKOW) — Staff members at Milton School District celebrated significant career milestones on Wednesday, including one woman who has dedicated 50 years of service to the district. Field, a Milton High School alumna from the class of 1964, has worked at all of the schools in the Milton School District throughout her career. WIAA sued by Town of Oconomowoc family after waiver is denied for son to play football at Arrowhead WAUKESHA – The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association is being sued by a Town of Oconomowoc family whose son has been denied a waiver to play at Arrowhead High School after the family's home in the Kettle Moraine School District became "unlivable" after a 2023 fire. In a Waukesha County Circuit Court complaint filed Aug. 19 by Blayne and Jenell Seidl on behalf of their son Tristen, the plaintiffs allege the WIAA acted outside of its lawful authority to prevent Tristen from playing high school football at Arrowhead. The Warhawks are scheduled to kick off their season Aug. 22 against Marquette University at Menomonee Falls High School. Inside the Abby K-12 additions Members of the Abbotsford School Board sidestepped puddles of mud and piles of construction materials on Monday as they toured the new classrooms and other facilities being built throughout the district’s K-12 campus. Led by Blake Bargender, a field engineering intern at Market & Johnson, board members got a closer look at the $17 million work-in-progress approved by district voters in April of 2024, authorizing the district to construct 10 additional classrooms (four at the elementary and six at the middle/high school), plus a new library, expanded parking lot and a variety of room renovations. More than 20 Milwaukee Public Schools were damaged by flooding More than 20 Milwaukee Public Schools were damaged in recent flooding, a financial blow to a school district already dealing with the fallout of a lead paint crisis and aging buildings. MPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius said the schools will be ready to open in time for the first day of school Sept. 2. But she said the cost of repairs and replacement of damaged equipment could reach into the millions. Emerging Leaders offers school grants WAUSAU – United Way’s Emerging Leaders is offering school grants up to $500 to applicants within Marathon County school districts. Not only can teachers and school officials apply, but students and coaches can, too, as well as 501(c)(3) organizations that serve Marathon County students. The grant is open to applicants serving seventh- through 12th-grade students. Racine tops state in childhood vaccines, but herd immunity remains out of reach RACINE, WI — Racine County’s youngest residents receive vaccines at slightly higher rates than the state average, but the community still falls far short of the levels needed for herd immunity against childhood diseases. According to Wisconsin Department of Health Service (DHS), 69.9% of Racine 24-month-old youth are vaccinated, compared to the state average of 68.8% in 2024. Wautoma Board approves consolidation plan, closing Riverview Elementary The Wautoma Area School Board of Education unanimously approved a plan to close Riverview Elementary School at the end of the 2025-2026 school year and transition to a three-school district. The decision was made during the Board’s monthly meeting at Wautoma High School on Aug. 12. New Holstein School Board OK’s bids for radios, speakers in High School New Holstein’s Board of Education approved the purchase of 60 radios and related equipment at a total cost of $19,600 at Monday’s monthly meeting of the board. The two-way digital radios will be purchased from Frank’s Radio in Manitowoc at a cost of $307 each. The purchase also will include five extra batteries for back-up purposes. Board approves RFPs for legal services CLINTONVILLE – The Clintonville School District will send out request for proposals (RFP) for its legal services after the Clintonville Board of Education approved seeking the RFPs by a 4-3 vote at its Aug. 11 meeting. At the meeting, board members Ben Huber, Kris Strauman, and Mark Zachow voted against requesting RFPs for legal services. Raymond School District welcomes new staff ahead of 2025-26 school year RAYMOND, WI — As the first day of school approaches, the Raymond School District is welcoming several new staff members, including a middle school English teacher and a speech-language pathologist, along with other support roles. During the Aug. 18 school board meeting, Superintendent Michael Leach introduced Jacob Leforest, who will be teaching sixth- and seventh-grade English Language Arts. Leforest previously taught at Salem and, according to Leach, brings strong teaching skills and an interest in extracurricular involvement. Chippewa Falls teacher named 2025 Wisconsin History Teacher of the Year CHIPPEWA FALLS (WQOW) - Alisha Neinfeldt, a teacher at Chippewa Falls Middle School, has been named the 2025 Wisconsin History Teacher of the Year by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. Neinfeldt's dedication to engaging students in American history has earned her statewide recognition. MPS recoups part of $42 million withheld by state over late finance reports As state officials still await some late financial reports from Milwaukee Public Schools, they are releasing about $16.6 million of the $42 million they had withheld from the district — a recognition of progress in recent months. While MPS has yet to complete all of its overdue audited financial reports from the 2023-24 school year, the district did complete certain reports required for the release of the $16.6 million. State officials said they had seen meaningful steps forward under the district's new superintendent, Brenda Cassellius. MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- With FEMA personnel in southeast Wisconsin this week to conduct damage assessments following last week's historic flooding, Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) Superintendent Brenda Cassellius said Wednesday she hopes the district will qualify for federal disaster aid. Cassellius appeared at an M-Cubed event on the UW-Milwaukee campus for a program celebrated employers who've joined the partnership between MPS, UW-Milwaukee and Milwaukee Area Technical College, offering work opportunities to students.
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