Wisconsin Education NewsMay 13, 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:
MPSD Board Approves Madison Elementary Sale The Manitowoc Public School District will sell Madison Elementary School to the city. The school board approved the city’s $1.00 offer for the land last night, but Board Member Chris Able had several concerns about the deal, including the city’s urgency to get it done. He says while the district might not work in real estate, there should be concern about what could go there. Waunakee schools receive 'Gift of Games' Through a community partnership focused on supporting local students, Waunakee Piggly Wiggly and The Gift of Games have expanded access to modern board games across the Waunakee Community School District, creating new opportunities for connection, creativity, and learning for local students. As part of a customer round-up fundraising campaign at Waunakee Piggly Wiggly, a total of over 100 board games were donated to schools throughout the district, including Waunakee Community High School, Waunakee Intermediate School, Arboretum Elementary School, and Heritage Elementary School. Wisconsin ranks 33rd in math and 30th in reading recovery among states Reading scores have continued to decline in Wisconsin since 2022, leaving students more than a half of a grade below pandemic levels. At the same time, math scores in the state haven’t budged. That has left some students in districts including Sun Prairie, Oshkosh and West Allis-West Milwaukee lagging more than a full grade level behind 2019 math benchmarks. That’s according to the latest Education Score Card at the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University. Watertown school board removes music piece from upcoming concert WATERTOWN, Wis. -- The Watertown United School District Board of Educationvotedalmost unanimously to disallowitsband’s wind ensemblefrom performing Mother of a Revolution, a world-renowned composition by Omar Thomas. The piece – which was all instrumental, no words – celebrated the legacy of transgender and gay rights activist Marsha P. Johnson.The fusion of jazz and disco with the historical context of the Stonewall uprising is just one of the ways band teacher Reid LaDew intended students to think critically about art and social change Madison unveils plan to make walking, biking to school safer for students MADISON, Wis. — Madison city leaders and Madison Metropolitan School District officials announced a new Safe Routes to School Strategic Plan on Monday, aiming to make it safer and easier for students to walk, bike and take the bus to school. The plan was developed through collaboration between city staff, Madison Metropolitan School District and the Wisconsin Bike Fed, building on Madison's broader pedestrian safety initiatives, including the recently updated Pedestrian Safety Plan and Vision Zero efforts aimed at eliminating traffic deaths by 2035.. Eau Claire Area School District holds public information session EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) - Tuesday, the Eau Claire Area School District held a public information session focusing on its lawsuit against state lawmakers over school funding. Several districts, including ECASD, sued the state legislature earlier this year, claiming the state is failing to adequately fund schools. Community members heard from the legal team at Law Forward about the lawsuit and what the districts hope to accomplish. Green Bay schools and Kavarna Coffeehouse partner to spread kindness GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) - The Green Bay Area Public School District in partnership with Kavarna Coffeehouse is launching the Cup of Kindness Project, a new initiative celebrating student creativity, community connection and the power of simple acts of kindness. The project will be highlighted beginning Thursday at Kavarna Coffeehouse, 143 N. Broadway. Evers defends bipartisan budget deal as it moves ahead at Capitol SEYMOUR, Wis. (WBAY) - A major budget deal is moving ahead at the Capitol, and Gov. Tony Evers is defending the compromise. During a visit to the Seymour School District Tuesday, Evers defended the bipartisan plan, saying the school funding portion is too important to pass up. “If you’re against putting money into public schools, you’re going to have a hard time being governor of the state of Wisconsin, or becoming governor of the state of Wisconsin,” Evers said. Wisconsin Democrats split with Gov. Tony Evers over school funding deal As the Legislature’s budget committee convened Tuesday to debate a deal that would trade tax relief for education funding, one lawmaker wore a tie with ducks on it — a reference, he said, to the “three lame ducks” who reached the agreement. The lawmaker was Rep. Tip McGuire, D-Kenosha, and he’s a frequent critic of two of those dealmakers: Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, and Senate Majority Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg. But the third “duck” in this case, Gov. Tony Evers, is from McGuire’s own Democratic party. Local Democrats, Republicans split on proposed state budget surplus plans WISCONSIN (WQOW) - Chippewa Valley Democratic and Republican lawmakers are speaking out about Governor Evers budget surplus announcement. Tuesday afternoon Republican Representatives Rob Summerfield and Clint Moses held a press conference supporting the deal. "This is a result of what we are hearing from constituents. They're out there working right now working hard, feeling a little bit pinched. This money belongs to the taxpayers," Moses said. One major component of the deal is over $300M in special education funding. Northeast Wisconsin school districts react to $600M in funding in Wisconsin surplus deal (WLUK) -- School districts in Northeast Wisconsin are reacting to the state's new budget surplus deal, which would allocate a portion of the $4.6 billion available for school funding. The $1.8 billion agreement was announced Monday by Gov. Tony Evers and Republican legislative leaders and approved Tuesday by the state's budget committee. RUSD breaks ground on $21 million Walden III renovation project RACINE, WI — Racine Unified School District and City of Racine officials Monday broke ground on the Walden III facility improvement project, part of the 2020 30-year $1 billion referendum. The Walden III project budget is $21.3 million, with a scope that highlights safety and security updates, modernization of learning spaces, bathroom upgrades, infrastructure improvements and building maintenance. Upgrades coming to Franklin Elementary School in Oshkosh; funded by successful referendum OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A major renovation project is underway at Franklin Elementary School. It’s the second of two Oshkosh elementary schools getting makeovers as a result of a referendum passed last April. Construction at Oakwood Elementary School began a few weeks ago. Madison school district projects slightly behind schedule, still on track for completion MADISON, Wis.— Two projects for the Madison Metropolitan School District are slightly behind schedule but remain on track for completion ahead of the 2027-28 school year. Phase 1 projects at Sherman Middle/Malcolm Shabazz High School and Black Hawk Middle School/Samuel Gompers Elementary School are expected to be completed on time. As of the end of April 2026, Phase 1 referendum-related spending totaled approximately $5.19 million for Sherman Middle School/Malcolm Shabazz City High School and approximately $2.99 million for Black Hawk Middle School/Samuel Gompers Elementary School. Across-the-board wage increases for Waunakee teachers approved All teachers in the Waunakee Community School District will receive a base wage increase of 2.63% for 2026-27, which amounts to $1,988 across the board. Brian Grabarski, the district’s human resources director, described it as an “equal distribution, which means that every member of the teacher group gets the same increase, regardless of their years of seniority. A five-year teacher gets the same increase as a 35-year teacher would get.” AbbyBank Foundation Awards $37,090 to School District of Abbotsford for Playground The AbbyBank Foundation, Inc. is proud to announce a $37,090 grant awarded to the School District of Abbotsford as part of its Spring grant cycle. Lodi School District survey finds support for renewed referendum The Lodi School District is now moving toward their next referendum with confidence of community support after seeing district-wide survey results. The results were presented to the district board of education at their May 11 meeting, by School Perceptions Vice President of Research Rob DeMeuse. The firm was contracted by the district to develop the survey and analyze results. Madison school district hosts breakfast to align community support for students MADISON, Wis. — The Madison Metropolitan School District brought together more than 200 community partners Tuesday morning for its Community Partners Breakfast. From nonprofits to neighborhood centers, the district calls these organizations “co-educators,” recognizing the role they play in supporting the 25,000 students who attend Madison schools. MADISON — The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction today announced five educators selected as 2026-27 Wisconsin Teachers of the Year. Over the past week, State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly traveled across Wisconsin to surprise each honoree during school celebrations alongside students, colleagues, families, and members of their school communities. Waunakee School District survey results show support for operational, capital/building referendums Results from a community survey conducted by the Waunakee Community School District were reviewed at Monday’s school board meeting. Residents were asked how they felt about two different questions — one having to do with renovation and construction plans at the high school at an all-in cost of $105 million, and the other related to extending a $2.1 million operational referendum for four more years. For both, School Perceptions, the company running the survey for the district, provided analysis of the results showing the community would likely support the two proposals, although, the expected vote on the capital referendum for the high school work was closer. The Wisconsin Association for Equity in Funding (AEF) today applauded the compromise budget repair bill. Just a few months ago, AEF Board Chair John Gaier made the job clear stating, “Fixing the revenue limit system needs to be the number one priority for the 2027-2029 budget. For now, an increase in general/equalization aid is important and attainable.” School meal prices to increase in 2026-27 The Oregon School District Board of Directors discussed the change and increase in price for school food service for the next school year at their Monday, May 11 meeting. Andy Weiland, the business manager of the district, presented about what the district has been doing to better change food service for the district in terms of how to provide for the students and how to help the budget. He outlined the proposal for the increase in price of school food services. The School District of Thorp has been awarded the Mental Health America of Wisconsin (MHA-WI) Peer-to-Peer School-based Suicide Prevention Grant and that Hope Squad is coming to Thorp next year. Hope squad is an evidence based, peer-to-peer suicide prevention program, dedicated to spreading hope and creating a school culture that promotes connectedness and inclusivity. Lodi School Board hires new principal, associate principal At the Lodi School Board’s meeting on Monday, two new administrative positions were approved bringing in a new principal and associate principal. The Board of Education approved Sarah Brings as the next Lodi Primary School principal, with an official starting date of July 1. Brings will replace Amy Fassbender who is leaving the District for an administrative position in the Waunakee School District. Colby School District Selected to Receive Fab Labs Grant The Colby School District is thrilled to announce that the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation has awarded the District a $25,000 Fab Labs Grant. Colby is one of only 11 districts in the state to receive this funding, which will help them transform their classrooms into high-tech fabrication laboratories. This grant perfectly complements the referendum construction projects happening this summer. East High fine arts student concerts raise money, collect food for school pantry GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) — Students from the Fine Arts Institute at Green Bay’s East High School will showcase their skills Wednesday night while raising money and collecting food donations for a school pantry. The spring concerts benefit Eats for East, a food pantry that serves students from East High School and nearby Washington Middle School. RACINE — Inside the courtyard at Horlick High School, students can be found tending to chickens as part of the Horlick Harvesters program. "They definitely love doing what they do with the chickens," said Horlick High School science teacher Tom Pfeiffer. Pfeiffer helped start the program after noticing the courtyard outside his classroom wasn't being used. Phillips High School students train chickens to successfully navigate obstacle courses PHILLIPS, Wis. (WJFW) — Many people train their dog or cat to do tricks, but one school in Phillips is training a feathered creature to do some amazing stuff. This video showing this chicken has gained a lot of attention on Facebook, With over 10 million views. At Phillips High School, students participated in a unique unit in their Biology class. Training chickens to successfully pass through obstacle courses. MPS Puts Hold on School Resource Officer Policy, Seeks More Feedback Milwaukee Public Schools will take more time to review a new School Resource Officer Program policy after concerns that community groups were not consulted. The policy came up for a board vote on April 30, when the decision was made to hold off on a final action. Wisconsin reaches bipartisan deal for education funding, local districts weigh in on impact MPS holds latest budget hearing as state budget deal discussed in Madison MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- As the bipartisan budget deal continues to be discussed in the statehouse, budget drama is also playing out in Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) board meetings. If the deal is approved in Madison, it’s still not known how much new revenue MPS would get, or when. So educators and stakeholders continue to have tough conversations. After a Tuesday budget hearing, MPS Superintendent Dr. Brenda Cassellius told us, "We absolutely need this money for our students with disabilities." State representatives talk at D.C. Everest about potential $1.8B spending bill WAUSAU, Wis. (WJFW) — Governor Tony Evers and two outgoing Republican leaders reached a $1.8 billion deal to fund schools, lower property taxes and send direct payments taxpayers across the state. If passed each independent taxpayers will receive $300 while married couples will net $600. But it still has to pass the state legislature. Republican representatives Patrick Snyder and Scott Krug came to D.C. Everest Senior High School to discuss this potential deal and talk about the chances of the bill passing. $300 stimulus checks, school funding deal pass first step Wisconsin lawmakers on Tuesday advanced a bill to spend part of the state’s $2.5 billion surplus to increase school funding and provide economic relief to residents. The spending package, which Democratic Gov. Tony Evers called a "blockbuster deal," passed the Joint Finance Committee on Tuesday along party lines, with the four Democrats on the body voting against it. The Democrats were critical of the deal's use of the state's surplus, and said it doesn't do enough to support schools long-term, while Republicans said it was a win they could accomplish right now with a divided government. The full Legislature is expected to meet as early as Wednesday morning to vote on the bill. School district central office moves east The Barron Area School District has begun renovations at 1443 E. Division Ave. as part of a multi-phase plan to expand childcare services and better serve local families, district officials announced. The project will transform the district’s current central office into a dedicated Early Learning Center for children ages 4 and under, addressing what Superintendent Diane Tremblay described as a growing community need for reliable, high-quality child care.
|