Wisconsin Education NewsApril 1, 2026A daily update of education news and events that are taking place around Wisconsin. Madison school boundary review generates hundreds of comments When asked by the Madison school district last year how district boundaries and school attendance areas should change amid population growth, hundreds of parents, district employees and residents responded with written comments. “Make the district equitable for all students, not just white kids,” one person wrote. “Please try your best not to break up neighborhoods,” another said. A third added, “People purchase their homes based on school boundaries. Do NOT mess with this!” Reedsburg School District announces Virtual School option MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - The School District of Reedsburg announced the addition of a Virtual School option for families and students on Tuesday. “Reedsburg’s Virtual School program will enhance the student experience by providing stronger in-house connections and support,” Superintendent Tom Burkhalter said. “Students will have the flexibility to access in-person resources as needed, ensuring every learner receives the support that fits them best. We are committed to offering this virtual option because it serves the needs of kids and families who want flexible, high-quality learning.” Altoona School District superintendent discusses $15.6M referendum ALTOONA (WQOW) - The Altoona School District is asking voters for a $15.6 million dollar referendum to make building repairs. Ahead of Election Day next week, Superintendent Heidi Eliopoulos sat down with 18 News to discuss the project. "We are trying to get ahead of it and make an investment now that will save us money in the future," Eliopoulos said. The district is asking voters to approve a $15.6 million project in the form of a 20-year loan to make repairs to the intermediate, middle, and high school building. Several school districts across Coulee Region asking voters to approve referendums WISCONSIN (WXOW) – Several school districts across the Coulee Region are asking voters to approve referendums in the April 7 election. The School District of Melrose-Mindoro is asking voters to approve a $1 million per year operational referendum over the next four years. Superintendent Deanna Wiatt says rising costs, declining enrollment, and gaps in state funding are driving the need. Whitefish Bay voters weigh $135.6M school referendum in spring election WHITEFISH BAY, Wis. - The Wisconsin spring election is just one week away, and some of you will soon decide: raise your taxes to fund schools? What we know: Whitefish Bay voters will soon decide whether to approve a $135.6 million school referendum as part of a wave of school funding questions across the state. Flambeau School District out $24,000 after contractor fails to deliver sound system RUSK COUNTY, Wis. (WEAU) - The Flambeau School District is out more than $24,000 after a business failed to deliver on its promise to build a new sound system, leading Rusk County officials to file criminal charges against the company last week. In May 2022, the Flambeau School District hired Sven Pro Sound, LLC — a Milwaukee audio-visual company — for a new sound system. The school board approved more than $30,000 for the project. The contract required an 80% deposit upfront — more than $24,000 — paid in September 2022. School board faces the music on budget reductions The Shawano School Board received some backlash March 23 to its decision four weeks earlier to reduce staff to balance next year’s budget, hearing concerns that music programs and other things could be hurt as a result. According to Superintendent Kurt Krizan, adjusting staff to its original student-to-staff ratios would save the district $1.34 million, with other measures expected to bring the savings to $1.77 million. The student-to-staff ratios for the district are 18-22:1 for Hillcrest Primary School, 20-24:1 for third grade and 25-30:1 for the grades after that. Area Teachers Honored as 2026 Herb Kohl Teacher Fellows Numerous area teachers have been honored for their work in the classroom. The Herb Kohl Educational Foundation has announced its 2026 Teacher Fellowship and Principal Leadership recipients, featuring over 100 educators from across the state. DANE COUNTY – Dane County Executive Melissa Agard today announced that the new Sherman Middle School and Shabazz High School and Black Hawk Middle School and Gompers Elementary School construction projects in the Madison Metropolitan School District have each been recognized as 4-Star Climate Champions for Building Design by the Dane County Office of Energy and Climate Change. The 4-star designation is the highest award given by the county, recognizing facilities designed to achieve exceptional energy efficiency and long-term sustainability. Aquatic center task force discusses funding, issues ANTIGO — The new Antigo Board of Education — Clara McKenna Aquatic Center Task Force met for the first time Monday evening. Students in Wisconsin are graduating on time from high school at record rates. Earlier this month, the Department of Public Instruction reported that in 2024-25, 92% of the state’s high school students graduated on time. That mark was the highest since the four-year adjusted cohort was established in 2009-10. Evers vetoes five bills related to gender transition, pronouns and sports teams (The Center Square) – Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers vetoed five bills he called anti-LGBTQ bills including bills that would require high school and public college athletic teams to declare if they are for coed, male or female athletes and have that sex defined as their sex at birth. Evers also vetoed a bill that would create a civil cause of action against health care providers performing gender transition surgery on minors and one that would prohibit medical referrals for minors seeking certain gender medical interventions along with a bill related to how school boards define legal names and pronouns.
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