Wisconsin Education NewsApril 7, 2026A daily update of education news and events that are taking place around Wisconsin. Milwaukee teachers union calls on MPS to reverse cuts to staff The union representing public school teachers in Milwaukee is condemning recently announced staff cuts at Milwaukee Public Schools. During a Monday press conference, Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association President Ingrid Walker-Henry called on the school board to hold a special meeting in April to reverse the cuts. Walker-Henry was joined by a parents group and a student group at the press conference. “What we’re saying is that this can’t come at the expense of our students, of our classrooms, of our school communities,” Walker-Henry said. Oakfield School Referendum on the Ballot Ballot Language Shall the Oakfield School District be authorized to exceed state revenue limits on a non-recurring basis by $700,000.00 for the 2026-27 school year, $925,000.00 for the 2027-28 school year, $1,275,000.00 for the 2028-29 school year, and $1,375,000.00 for the 2029-30 school year to maintain School District programs and operations? Voters Deciding Fate of Fond du Lac School District Referendum The Fond du Lac School District faces a structural budget deficit in the coming years. To address the budget shortfall, the Board has approved an operational referendum question and will continue evaluating expenses to make reductions while meeting our students’ needs. Augusta to vote on referendum during spring election EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) -On April 7’s ballot, there is an operational referendum from the Augusta school district. It seeks to close a budget gap before heading into the next school year. The district is asking for $375,000 each year for the next two school years. According to its website, the district is projected to have a budget shortfall of $630,000 next year and a gap of roughly one-and-a-half million dollars in the next five years. Eau Claire Area School Board agrees to reduce staffing EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) - On Monday, the Eau Claire Area School Board unanimously agreed to reduce staffing across the district. These cuts include reducing the hours of 20 teachers, with another 21 staff and teacher contracts not being renewed for the next school year. Wisconsin voters decide fate of several school district referendums APPLETON (NBC 26) — On April 7, voters in Appleton and across Wisconsin will decide the fate of several school district referendums. For voters in the Appleton School District, the referendum is asking for $15 million every year for the next four years. District leaders say it is needed to close a $13 million budget hole driven by inflation and rising healthcare costs. EAST TROY — East Troy voters approved a tax referendum for the village's schools three years ago. The school district hopes residents decide to do it again on Tuesday. The tax referendum would increase East Troy's school budget by $4 million a year over the state-imposed limit for the next three years. It is for operational costs, meaning it would be used for staff and programs as opposed to paying for the buildings and facilities. MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - The Madison Metropolitan School District and the United Way of Dane County will discontinue the AmeriCorps Tutoring Programs starting in the 2026-27 school year, the Madison Metropolitan School District announced. The discontinuation of the tutoring programs is due to reduced federal support of AmeriCorps, Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) explained. State superintendent highlights new report on teacher shortage GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) - A statewide report on Wisconsin’s educator workforce was released Monday morning by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly led a roundtable discussion with regional and local education leaders aimed at challenges and solutions to the state’s teacher shortage. Appleton alternative school helps struggling students turn their lives around APPLETON (NBC 26) — At first glance, Central High School in Appleton looks like any other school. But for the students inside, it can mean the difference between falling through the cracks and finding a future. Referendum to expand Fall Creek middle school on the ballot this spring election FALL CREEK, Wis. (WEAU) - In Fall Creek, a growing school district is seeking a referendum to make more space for middle school students. The Fall Creek School District says their Kindergarten-through-12th Grade building is operating beyond capacity and that right now, some students are learning in rooms not intended for class. DPI report highlights difficulties retaining teachers in Wisconsin Nearly one-third of people who complete teacher training never enter the classroom in Wisconsin, and nearly half of the people who do become teachers leave the profession within eight years. That’s according to a new report from the state Department of Public Instruction that uses data from the 2023-24 school year. It highlighted ongoing challenges with retention even as overall staffing levels at schools remain relatively stable. Reedsville Receives Prominent WIAA Award The Reedsville Panthers, who captured their first boys state basketball title in 80 years last month, received the WIAA Winter Team Sportsmanship Award for the decorum demonstrated by both the school and the community at the WIAA State Boys Basketball Tournament at the Kohl Center in Madison. WISCONSIN — School districts across Wisconsin will have referenda on the April ballot. There are nearly 75 school referendums on the ballot statewide, from Whitefish Bay to Sauk Prairie to Menasha. To put that in perspective, there are 421 school districts in the state, according to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Here are some of the largest and most prominent referenda for voters to consider this election cycle: At its January 12th meeting, the Granton Area School District School Board approved a five-year, non-recurring operational referendum question that will appear on the ballot Tuesday, April 7, 2026. If a simple majority approves the measure, the district will be able to exceed its revenue limit by $1.25 million annually through the conclusion of the 2030-31 school year. “Our community takes great pride in the quality of education we provide to our students, and an operational referendum is one way to help ensure we can sustain that reputation and service into the future,” said District Administrator Nancy Popp. WIAA announces team sportsmanship awards STEVENS POINT, Wis. — The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association, in cooperation with Rural Mutual Insurance, has chosen the recipients of the team Sportsmanship Awards for the 2026 winter State Tournaments. The winners of the prestigious Sportsmanship Award are Reedsville in boys basketball, Fall River in girls basketball, Auburndale in team wrestling, Marshfield in gymnastics and River Falls Co-op in girls hockey. There was no recipient of the award for the State Boys Hockey Tournament.
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