Wisconsin Education NewsJune 24, 2026A daily update of education news and events that are taking place around Wisconsin. Is Your Team’s Hard Work Translating to Improved Student Outcomes? The Building Academy supports leaders in developing shared leadership systems and practices that translate into improved student outcomes and more balanced lives. As we enroll our 9th cohort, 100% of past participants would recommend the academy to a colleague interested in becoming a more impactful leader. "This experience has moved my school and me forward already in a short time and will have a lasting impact in the years to come. It was absolutely outstanding and I would recommend it to any aged leader." (from the evaluation of a past participant) ‘This is a marathon’: Wisconsin’s literacy overhaul has a new leader In the nearly three years since state legislators passed Act 20, a law aimed at improving children’s reading scores, one of the biggest questions has been when students would begin to reap the benefits of the law. Kaylee Jackson, the new literacy director for the state Department of Public Instruction, has a tentative answer. Funding cuts compromise coalition's mental health efforts For the last five years, the Waunakee Community Cares Coalition (WCCC) has received funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help spread awareness about drugs and prevent addiction. In March of 2025, WCCC applied for a five-year grant renewal to continue the work, but despite being told in August of 2025 that the grant would successfully go through, in April of 2026, the WCCC was alerted that the grant had been denied for no clear reason. Without proper federal funding, WCCC will be unable to continue their work in substance abuse prevention in full. Madison school district addresses concerns about classroom technology MADISON, Wis. — Officials with the Madison School District are addressing concerns about a new technology platform that will be used in elementary classrooms next school year. Beginning next school year, elementary students will take a weekly online survey about how they are feeling at school. District leaders stressed that while the program uses technology, its focus is on human connection and classroom support — not artificial intelligence. Madison schools approve cellphone ban, tighten limits on high schools Following months of debate on a districtwide cellphone policy, the Madison School Board voted Monday to ban cellphones all day for students in grades K-8 and prohibit cellphones in high schools all day except during lunch. The policy passed in a 5-2 vote after School Board Vice President Blair Mosner Feltham introduced amendments to make the policy stricter for high school students. The initial policy would have allowed high schoolers to use their cellphones during passing time and lunch, while the approved policy will limit cellphone usage to only lunch time. Milton School District brings new leadership to its elementary, middle schools MILTON — The Milton School District has announced its selection for a newly-created dual position: Abbie Nash is now Principal at Consolidated Elementary School — and the district’s new academic support coordinator. Nash comes to the new, dual role after serving in the district as a teaching and learning coach. In her former role, Nash has guided curriculum development and supported staff in instruction. Madison school district celebrates inaugural teacher program MADISON, Wis.— The Madison Metropolitan School District is celebrating its inaugural Grow Your Own to Teacher Program. The initiative inaugural cohort completes associate degrees at Madison College and prepares to continue towards teacher licenses through the UW-Madison School of Education. The program helps district employees earn bachelor's degrees and K-9 teaching licenses while continuing to work in MMSD schools. The program was created to strengthen the educator pipeline, expand opportunities for current staff and help meet the district's long-term needs. Teacher survey: School District of Jefferson scores well compared to peer districts JEFFERSON — The Jefferson School Board heard good news from School Perceptions at its meeting Monday evening: teachers are broadly satisfied with the work the District is doing. School Perceptions, a Slinger-based consulting firm that provides survey services to school districts around the nation, presented the results of its teacher survey to the board. In all five question categories — academics, engagement, support, student experience and staff experience — SDOJ was above the peer average. Doty Elementary to lose free childcare service this fall GREEN BAY (NBC26) — Doty Elementary School in Green Bay will lose its no-cost after-school childcare program this fall, transferring the cost of care from the school district's budget to families. "This is not a decision we took lightly at all," Amy Fish, associate director of community partnerships and grants, said of the change. Kenosha Schools Considers Drastic Cuts to Address $17 Million Deficit The Kenosha Unified School District is weighing several options to reduce its expected $17 million budget deficit if a planned November referendum fails. Those options include eliminating 40 teaching positions and cutting sports programs and art. The district is also considering increasing class sizes and closing Reuther Central High School, an alternative school for students that have struggled in traditional high schools. Superintendent Jeffrey Weiss has been meeting with the school board this month to discuss the necessary budget reductions for fiscal year 2027-28. Madison school district addresses concerns about classroom technology MADISON, Wis. — Officials with the Madison Metropolitan School District are addressing concerns about a new technology platform that will be used in elementary classrooms next school year. Beginning next school year, elementary students will take a weekly online survey about how they are feeling at school. District leaders stressed that while the program uses technology, its focus is on human connection and classroom support — not artificial intelligence. WIAA Board of Control approves winter sports changes STEVENS POINT, Wis. – The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Board of Control approved limited use of the shot clock in basketball in 2026-27 and acted on other recommendations from the Winter Coaches Advisory Committees affecting season regulations and membership policies at its June 23 meeting. School Board sees big check, hears of new Raise Your Voice club At its meeting on Monday, June 22, the Rice Lake Board of Education acknowledged the fundraising efforts of the Warrior All-Sports Booster Club, heard about a new Raise Your Voice Club, and received more suggestions on the longtime outlook of Haugen Elementary School. Athletic Director Tim Lipke, along with Warrior All-Sports Booster Club members Mandi Frischmann and Angie Carr, gave the board a look at the big difference the club is making for student athletes. They presented a big check in the amount of $51,538.82, to the Rice Lake Area School District, which is how much it raised during the 2025-26 school year. All of the proceeds go to the Warrior Athletics program. MILWAUKEE, June 23, 2026 — Northwestern Mutual, through its Foundation, is continuing its long-standing commitment to Milwaukee’s youth by announcing a $5.5 million investment to support 70 local schools and education nonprofits. This brings the company’s total contribution to advancing education in the city to more than $75 million over the past three decades. Now in its fourth year, the Northwestern Mutual Summer Teacher Grant program continues to expand. This year, 85 projects were awarded, spanning innovative teaching approaches, targeted student support and engaging learning experiences, including hands-on STEM programing, tutoring, and resources tailored to different learning needs. To date, the initiative has funded nearly 200 projects.
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