Wisconsin Education NewsMay 7, 2026A daily update of education news and events that are taking place around Wisconsin. Register Today for AWSA’s Upcoming Professional Learning Events! Join school leaders from across Wisconsin to strengthen your leadership, empower your teams, and build a culture of excellence. Registration is now open for our upcoming conferences:
School district facing $1 million health insurance increase The Hayward School Board Monday learned that the premiums for school district employee health insurance are projected to increase by $1,076,000 (19.9%) in 2026-27. Board members discussed options for paying the premium costs, including increasing employee deductibles and co-pays, and decided to hold a special meeting at 5 p.m. Monday May 11 to make a decision. District wins national music award The Verona Area School District has been named a Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) Award recipient by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation, recognizing the school district’s strong commitment to providing students with access to high-quality music education. According to a district news release, the annual BCME Award honors school districts and schools across the country that demonstrate excellence in music education and a commitment to ensuring all students have the opportunity to participate as part of a well-rounded educational experience. Recipients of the BCME Award are selected through a rigorous application and review process that evaluates key indicators such as instructional time, participation, facilities, funding, and community support. Kristen Scott, a fourth-grade educator at the Madison Metropolitan School District’s (MMSD) Nuestro Mundo Community School, has been named 2026–27 Wisconsin Teacher of the Year by the Department of Public Instruction. Scott was surprised with the award during a schoolwide assembly Wednesday morning. She is one of five educators statewide selected for the distinction, which recognizes excellence in teaching and a commitment to student success. Students in Kewaskum prepare for Rockets for Schools launch in Sheboygan KEWASKUM, Wis. — Students in the Kewaskum School District are getting ready for a major event this weekend as they prepare to launch rockets in the annual Rockets for Schools competition in Sheboygan. The teams are among about 35 from across the country traveling to the Lake Michigan shoreline, where months of work will be put to the test. Launches are scheduled to begin Saturday morning at the South Pier at Blue Harbor Resort. Poynette school budgeting weighs 20 years of trends in the Capitol As Wisconsinites see the consequences of this spring’s failed school referendum votes, educators are becoming more explicit about their financial situation and what role the state legislature has to play in it. At the Poynette School Board’s April 27 meeting, board members reviewed the preliminary budget that would be finalized in April, with immediate decisions on what salary and benefits would be offered for new and returning teachers. District Administrator Jerome Pritzl explained that he was among a group of superintendents that were talking to state legislators frequently, and advocating for public school support, while conveying the realities of the choices they are facing. Wisconsin school board considers pulling piece from spring band concert due to LGBTQ+ history ties Watertown High School band students have spent months preparing for their May 18 spring concert. But a piece of music will likely be struck from their set list over its history. The Watertown Wind Symphony will learn on May 12 during a special school board meeting if they will be allowed to perform “A Mother of A Revolution.” VASD honors students, looks ahead to 2026-27 school year The Verona Area School District Board of Education met Monday, May 4 to recognize the end of the school year and student success, while also looking ahead to the next academic year.Students who have displayed excellence in art were honored individually, with Board members taking turns reading out loud messages submitted by district teachers explaining why each student was honored. Evansville students bike to class for National Bike to School Day EVANSVILLE, Wis. (WKOW)— Students in the Evansville Community School District biked to school Wednesday for National Bike to School Day. The district is one of more than 100 communities in Wisconsin that are registered to participate in the event. The first National Bike to School Day was celebrated in 2012. The Evansville district joined last year after Paul Liesse, owner of Shifting Gears Bike Shop, introduced the idea. MPS $1.6B budget proposal cuts spending, adds classroom staff next year As Milwaukee Public Schools seeks to close a nearly $46 million deficit, Superintendent Brenda Cassellius is proposing cutting central office positions and shrinking spending across nearly every administrative department, while adding more classroom staff. The 2026-27 budget proposal, released May 4, outlines what MPS officials say would be the district's first steps in correcting its long-term financial shortfall. Without major changes, projections show MPS could face a cumulative deficit of $420 million over the next five years due to rising costs, declining enrollment and state funding limits. Park Falls Elementary receives School of Recognition status The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction has named Park Falls Elementary School a 2024–25 Wisconsin School of Recognition, an honor highlighting its dedication to student growth and achievement. Park Falls Elementary School received the award in the High Impact category. This distinction is based on a rigorous set of criteria, including academic performance, measurable progress in student growth or graduation rates, reducing achievement gaps — particularly among students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Neenah celebrates more than 100 students at Applauding Student Abilities event NEENAH, Wis. (WFRV) – More than 100 students were recognized Wednesday morning during the annual Neenah Applauding Student Abilities event. Milwaukee Schools superintendent addresses proposals to cuts positions, stagger pay increase Milwaukee Public Schools are proposing a $1.6 billion budget for the next year to address a multi-million dollar shortfall. MPS faces a $46 million budget deficit after an audit found the district overspent its previous budget. Next year’s budget would address this, in part, by cutting over 100 administrative and assistant principal positions. The budget would also add more than 200 teaching and paraprofessional positions. Sugar Creek named one of ‘American’s Healthiest Schools’ Sugar Creek Elementary School was one of only 12 schools in Wisconsin recently awarded the designation of being one of "America's Healthiest Schools.” According to a Verona Area School District news release, the goal was to do a deep assessment of a school's present practices around these nine areas, celebrate what's going well, and determine a future direction and goals: School Health Services; Local School Wellness Policy; Nutrition and Food Access; Physical Education and Activity; Health Education; Social Emotional Health and Learning; Tobacco-Free Schools; Staff Well-Being and Family and Community Engagement. Eleva-Strum hosts "Cardinal Manufacturing" tour ELEVA, Wis. (WEAU) - Students showed off real work at a real business Wednesday night for Eleva-Strum’s “Cardinal Manufacturing” tour. The program is a two-year opportunity for Cardinal upperclassmen, giving them hands-on experience working and problem solving in a real shop. Students take customer requests for cutting boards, drum sanders and flip-flop grills.
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