Wisconsin Education NewsApril 20, 2026A daily update of education news and events that are taking place around Wisconsin. Local associate principal named National High School Assistant Principal of the Year SHOREWOOD, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A local associate principal has been named the 2026 National High School Assistant Principal of the Year. Associate Principal of Shorewood High School, Amanda Jamerson, received the honor by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) at an annual National Education Leadership Awards event on Friday, April 17. She was one of three finalists chosen. Groundbreaking kicks off major renovation project at Oakwood Elementary School in Oshkosh OSHKOSH (WLUK) -- Two Oshkosh elementary schools are getting makeovers. A groundbreaking ceremony was held Friday to celebrate the start of construction at Oakwood Elementary School. Another event will take place May 8 to kick off work at Franklin Elementary School. The Madison Metropolitan School District is implementing standards-based learning (SBL) in its high schools as part of a multi-year effort to align curriculum, instruction, assessment and grading across grades 4K-12. The approach focuses on students demonstrating mastery of key academic skills and concepts before moving on to more advanced material. SBL is already used in MMSD elementary and middle schools, and the current phase extends that framework into high school classrooms. Districts across Wisconsin, including Milwaukee Public Schools, Racine Unified School District and the School District of Waukesha, also use standards-based learning approaches. Augusta School District considers options after failed referendum AUGUSTA - There were three school referendums in the Tri-County Area on the ballot in the recent spring election held back on April 7. Two of those referendums passed overwhelmingly, in both Fall Creek and Eleva-Strum. One of those did not and it lost by a significant margin. Sun Prairie selects new superintendent SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. -- The Sun Prairie School Board has selected its next superintendent. Dr. Antoine Reed was selected during a meeting Thursday night. Reed earned his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from DePaul University. He also completed graduate studies at the Relay Graduate School of Education. MPSD Highlights Apprenticeship Honor Before National Apprenticeship Week The Manitowoc Public School District has received a special award in recognition of its collaboration with National Apprenticeship Week. MPSD has been selected as a Career Pathways of Excellence Award honoree for the week, which takes place April 26th through May 2nd. MMSD shifting middle school release time next school year MADISON, Wis. -- The Madison Metropolitan School District is changing its middle school release time next school year. The time will be adjusted by 25 minutes, moving from 4:25 to 4 p.m. “The change is being made in response to a review of community survey feedback, which found that many families expressed a preference for an earlier dismissal time for their students,” said Edell Fiedler, senior executive director of communications. “To achieve this, early release Mondays will be eliminated in favor of a consistent daily schedule for middle school students.” MANITOWOC (NBC 26) — A student walkout in the Manitowoc Public School District last week is sparking debate among parents, with some praising the protest and others questioning why it happened during the school day. Manitowoc Superintendent Lee Thennes said the district had to balance student safety with their constitutional rights. He added that the district followed the law and kept student safety the top priority during the walkout, and he does not plan to resign. Report: School funding gaps widen as referendum approval rates slip Wisconsin voters approved a majority of K-12 school referenda this spring, but declining support and growing reliance on local tax increases are contributing to widening funding disparities between school districts, according to a new report from the Wisconsin Policy Forum. Unofficial results from the April election show that 46 of 75 school referenda passed, a 61.3% approval rate. While still a majority, that figure marks a continued downward trend in Wisconsin and could become the lowest approval rate for an even-numbered year since 2010 if it holds through the fall elections. By comparison, 70.1% of school referenda in the state were approved in 2024. Significant staff cuts announced following school referendum failure MONROE — The School District of Monroe acknowledges the official results of the April 7 operational referendum, in which 2,803 residents voted in favor and 2,957 voted against the measure. “While the outcome is not what the District had hoped for, we respect the decision of our community and are grateful for the high level of engagement demonstrated throughout this process,” Superintendent Joe Monroe said. Shell Lake School District Voters Approve Operational Referendum WASHBURN COUNTY — Following the election results, Superintendent Todd Felhofer shared the following message with families and staff: Adaptive prom ensures all Green Bay students get to experience a high school dance GREEN BAY (WLUK) -- April is "prom season" and in Green Bay, students are making sure no one gets left out. An adaptive prom was held Friday inside the gymnasium at Southwest High School. It's become a tradition to host the event for students in the Intellectual Disabilities program. Medford to host Wisconsin State Tournament for Science Olympiad MEDFORD, Wis. (WAOW) - The state tournament for Science Olympiad is coming to Medford this weekend, marking the first time the event has ever been hosted at a high school. For Medford students, the science Olympiad state tournament is more than just a competition, it's a chance to put their school on the map. Dept. of Public Instruction: State superintendent celebrates two FCCLA national finalists MADISON — State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly made a surprise visit to Dodgeville High School on Tuesday to celebrate student Addy Hoyer and Adviser Sarah James, who are among just 10 national finalists selected by the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA). Both are being recognized for their outstanding service and leadership. “This achievement reflects the hard work and dedication of Addy and Ms. James,” Dr. Underly said. “Dodgeville High School and the community are truly fortunate to benefit from their service and leadership. I am proud to have them represent Wisconsin.” Governor Evers promotes apprenticeship programs at Western Technical College workshop LA CROSSE (WKBT) -- Governor Tony Evers highlighted the critical role of apprenticeship programs in addressing Wisconsin's workforce challenges during a visit to Western Technical College's K12 Apprenticeship Workshop. The governor participated in roundtable discussions with teachers, coordinators and workforce development representatives to examine how apprenticeship programs can bridge the gap between education and employment for high school students. MPSD Approves Facility Upgrades For Three Schools The Manitowoc Public School District is continuing to make upgrades at different schools. The school board approved three bids on Tuesday (April 14th) for new electrical panels at several schools, new speakers and clocks for Jefferson Elementary School, and painting for Stangel Elementary School. WIAA approves new start dates for fall sports Stevens Point (WQOW) - The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association voted Thursday to move back the start dates for fall sports in 2020. By a 8-3 margin, the WIAA Board of Control voted for 'low-risk' sports - cross country, girls golf, girls tennis and girls swimming - to start the week of August 17, and 'high-risk' sports - football, volleyball and boys soccer - to start the week of September 7. DC Everest district addresses Riverside Elementary damage RINGLE, Wis. (WSAW) - The DC Everest School District sent out a statement to families about damage to Riverside Elementary School in Ringle. The school was damaged during the storm Friday afternoon, according to the statement. Early Saturday morning, Superintendent Casey Nye told NewsChannel 7 it was still too early to give a solid sense for the damage. Fort Atkinson Board of Education begins budget talks FORT ATKINSON — The Board of Education for the School District of Fort Atkinson held its monthly meeting on Thursday, April 16 in the Luther Administration Center. The board received an update on finance and future budget issues. Director of Business Services Nathan Knitt and Director of Human Resources Mandy Turnbull presented to the board. The first part addressed future budget assumptions. Washington Elementary School in Janesville closed Monday for flood damage JANESVILLE, Wis. (WMTV) - Multiple schools in Janesville suffered damage after Friday night’s round of intense storms, forcing the cancellation of classes on Monday for Washington Elementary School. The School District of Janesville explained Saturday in a Facebook post that water was found in several of its schools. Washington Elementary, Franklin Middle, Parker High and Jefferson Elementary Schools all had the biggest impacts from flooding. Special night brings joy and connections for Rhinelander teens with special needs at Spring Fling RHINELANDER (WJFW) — Struggling to fit in is a feeling that many people are familiar with. These feelings can feel impossible to overcome, especially for those with special needs, but on Friday Night at Rhinelander High School, a the Unified Spring Fling dance was held to celebrate teens with special needs. Janesville elementary school closed this week due to flooding damage JANESVILLE, Wis. (WMTV) - The School District of Janesville announced Sunday that one of its elementary schools is closed until further notice after severe storms and flooding rocked the area last week. Washington Elementary School is closed for the week of April 20 as officials work to find an alternate learning location. The school is hoping to resume instruction the week of April 27. No classes Monday and Tuesday following damage at Ringle elementary school RINGLE, Wis. (WSAW) - The D.C. Everest School Board met in closed session Sunday afternoon to determine what’s next after a tornado damaged Riverside Elementary in Ringle. “This storm really came through right through the diagonal heart of our school district,” said Superintendent Casey Nye.In a letter sent to affected families, district leaders said there will be no school for Riverside students on Monday or Tuesday. Chilton School District's next superintendent announced Dan Marien, currently a principal in Eagle River, will be the next superintendent of the Chilton School District, it was announced Friday by Terry Criter, president of the Chilton Board of Education. Marien is currently the principal at Northland Pines Middle and High School. Black Hawk School District receives community fund grants SOUTH WAYNE — Black Hawk School District announces that it has received four grants from the Black Hawk Excellence In Education Funds, Spring 2026 Grant Cycle of the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin, Inc. MPS superintendent defends proposed cuts, delayed raises as debate enters governor's race MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent Brenda Cassellius says "it would be wonderful" if Wisconsin teachers could again collectively bargain and Act 10 was reversed, even amid an intensifying feud with the teachers union over the district's projected $46 million deficit. "I've always been a supporter of unions and labor," Cassellius said on WISN 12's "UPFRONT," which is produced in partnership with WisPolitics. "I think they play a really important part. I actually said to the union I'd want to be one of the first ones to have our contract in place."
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