Wisconsin Education News
September 4, 2026
A daily update of education news and events that are taking place around Wisconsin.
VA is discontinuing Chapter 35 education benefits for high school programs
Due to a change in federal law, the Department of Veterans Affairs is no longer permitted to approve high school programs for VA education benefits. Specifically, Public Law 117‑328, Division U, Title II, Section 215 prohibits VA approval of any high school programs effective August 1, 2026. All programs listed under your facility code are now formally disapproved, effective 8/1/2026. Students who were enrolled before 8/1/2026 may still be certified through that date, but no new enrollments can be certified after it. This change is not school-specific; it applies nationwide and is solely the result of the updated federal statute.
Gillett schools trying again for referendum
The Gillett School District has learned lessons from a failed operational referendum in April and made some adjustments to ask for smaller bites when it asks voters to approve overriding state-mandated funding caps this November.
Federal civil rights data about students is finally out. It's different under Trump
A massive trove of data about the civil rights of American students was quietly published on the U.S. Education Department's website this week. The Civil Rights Data Collection includes information about which groups of students are being bullied, which students across the country can access Advanced Placement classes and how students with disabilities are treated at school, among other things.
Madison schools restrict social media on student Chromebooks
Madison schools are implementing new technology rules this school year that will change how students access online content in classrooms.
Petitions to recall Winneconne school board president, vice president submitted
Organizers of an effort to recall the Winneconne School Board president and vice president have submitted their petitions, saying they've gathered more than enough signatures to force a recall election.
D.C. Everest Area School District considers decommissioning junior High due to old infrastructure
The D.C. Everest School District is considering closing its junior high school due to aging infrastructure and declining enrollment.
Oshkosh mascot urges drivers to slow down for back-to-school season
A mascot known as “Pat the Traffic Cone” is asking drivers to slow down and help students get to school safely as children head back to class.
Wisconsin lawmaker proposes screen-free classrooms for Pre-K to 2nd grade
Getting young kids off laptops and tablets and back to learning the old-school way -- with paper and pencil -- is the goal of a new bill being proposed in the state legislature.
Amery police, district prepare for school threat assessment training
Amery Police Department officers and area emergency responders were scheduled to receive state-led training Tuesday on responding to a potential school threat, Director of Safety and Security Josh Gould told the Amery School Board Monday, part of a broader update on the district's safety preparations heading into the new school year.
School District of Sheboygan Falls Hoping Third Time’s the Charm on Facilities Referendum
A local school district will be looking to pass a facilities referendum for the third consecutive election cycle.
MPSD Rising Phoenix Program Continues To Expand
A college credit program through the Manitowoc Public School District continues to help students.
4-year-old found trapped on hot school bus in Washington County
A 4-year-old child was found alone inside a school bus in Washington County Wednesday evening after the child never made it home after school.
Reed reports on first 100 days as Sun Prairie School District superintendent
Dr. Antoine Reed is “100% Sun Prairie” now, as the school district’s superintendent gave a report to the school board on his first 100 days in the job.
MPSD Superintendent Lee Thennes: “We Are Really Focused This Year”
There are a lot of things going on as the Manitowoc Public School District starts the 2026-2027 school year.
Madison schools add ‘safety and security’ staff
You might see two mobile “safety and security specialists” zipping between Madison’s schools this fall in two new branded Ford Explorers. Superintendent Joe Gothard teased the new hires at an Aug. 13 roundtable with media, saying the new employees would be “relationship-builders.”
Union Grove students, staff welcome changes to the high school resulting from $35M referendum-funded work
Union Grove Union High School students and staff returned to class this week to major changes resulting from a $35 million referendum passed by voters in 2024.
Green Bay schools set guidelines for AI in the classroom
Green Bay Area Public Schools is taking a controlled approach to artificial intelligence, teaching students about the technology while limiting how they can use it in the classroom.
Senator Tammy Baldwin says Head Start a 'vital investment' in visit to Wausau school
Pre-Kindergarten education and childcare is essential for parents in the workforce and for children, giving them a chance to begin learning and socializing with peers at a very young age.
Wisconsin health officials urge back-to-school shots as measles spreads
As measles continues to spread in southwestern Wisconsin, state health officials are urging families to ensure their children are fully vaccinated before heading back to school.
Weekly Dem radio address: Gov. Evers delivers radio address, welcomes educators and school staff back to school for the 2026-27 school year
Clear Lake FFA students travel to Ireland for chapter's first international trip
Seventeen Clear Lake FFA members and three adult chaperones spent nine days in Ireland this summer, marking the chapter's first trip overseas and giving students a firsthand look at agriculture on the other side of the Atlantic.
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