Wisconsin Education NewsDecember 9, 2024The Wisconsin Education News is a daily update of education news and events that are taking place around Wisconsin. Dane County Circuit Court Issues Long-Awaited 2011 Act 10 Decision Big changes underway thanks to Kaukauna’s voter-approved $198M school referendum KAUKAUNA, Wis. — It’s a record-setting year for school referendums in Wisconsin in 2024. According to the Wisconsin Policy Forum, school districts around the state approved $4.4 billion in new funding for projects and operations. Voters in Kaukauna approved $198 million in November. Rosendale Intermediate and Brandon Elementary Schools Honored U.S. News & World Reports recently published its rankings of public elementary schools, and the Rosendale Intermediate School and Brandon Elementary School placed among the top 40% of elementary schools in the state of Wisconsin, making them both U.S. News Best Elementary Schools. Madison teachers ask to renegotiate contract after Act 10 decision MADISON, Wis. — Madison Teachers Inc., the union representing area teachers, asked the Madison Metropolitan School District to renegotiate parts of the current contract between the union and the district. MTI made the request in a letter to the district on Wednesday, just two days after a Dane County judge struck down the collective bargaining law Act 10. Horace Mann Middle School teacher creates safe space for refugee students to learn WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) - Kids from around the world are finding refuge in Mr. Chi’s class inside Wausau’s Horace Mann Middle School. “Every morning be like, ‘Good morning Mr. Chi!’” MMSD ‘reviewing' ramifications of Act 10 ruling MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - The Madison Metropolitan School District said Thursday it is “reviewing” how a Dane County Judge’s recent decision to overturn parts of Act 10 will impact the district. The decision returned collective bargaining rights to workers, including teachers. VAIS ranks #7 among Wisconsin elementary schools The Verona Area International School (VAIS) was recently named #7 in Wisconsin Elementary Schools and #2 in Wisconsin Charter Elementary Schools for 2025 by U.S. News & World Report. LGBTQ+ groups plan to file federal complaint against another Wisconsin school district Two Wisconsin LGBTQ+ advocacy groups are planning to file a federal civil rights complaint against another Wisconsin school district over this district’s recent shift to more restrictive policies for transgender students. Citizens again weigh in on Garfield school property MARINETTE — Although the developer who is seeking to purchase the former Garfield Elementary School property from the Marinette School District and has waived the rezoning contingency in his offer to purchase, a public hearing on the issue took place Tuesday. Students see progress in math testing, but struggle with college readiness The Verona Area School District Board of Education unanimously approved a report finding that students in the district are achieving reasonable mathematical progress with some exceptions for college readiness in a meeting Monday. Gibraltar High School Earns Platinum Status on AP Honor Roll Gibraltar High School is the first non-charter, public school in the state of Wisconsin to receive the highest level of distinction on the College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) School Honor Roll. City of Medford taxpayers will see about a 5.28% increase in their property tax bills later this month. The increase was driven by a recently approved school referendum and an increase in the county tax levy. By comparison, the city portion of the total tax bill dropped this year by more than a percentage point. La Crosse School District to start 2025-26 school year in August LA CROSSE (WKBT) -- La Crosse public schools will be starting the next school year earlier than usual. The La Crosse School District will begin its 2025-26 academic year on Thursday, August 21. Stetsonville School Time Capsule In 1999, students and staff at Stetsonville Elementary School placed items in a time capsule. It was during the 1999-2000 school year and with the change in the calendar there was interest in preserving a snapshot of what things were like being in elementary school at the time In this case, the time capsule was a large red and green plastic tote that was then securely sealed with duct tape and labeled “TIME CAPSULE” “DO NOT OPEN UNTIL 2025.” OCONOMOWOC — At the end of a busy day of delivering gifts to students in need, teacher Jennifer Starke White’s face hurts from smiling so much. Milton School District wins 4K Signing Day campaign award MILTON – The Milton School District has been recognized by the Wisconsin School Public Relations Association for its "4K Signing Day" social media campaign in April and May. La Crosse school day start times changing, year-round schedule going away at Northside LA CROSSE (WKBT) -- The La Crosse school district is announcing more changes to their schedule for the 2025-2026 year. News 8 Now first reported on a change in school calendar for the district Wednesday. The district will start their school year district-wide on August 21 instead of on or later than September 1. Kenosha schools gun scares; police, district address safety concerns KENOSHA, Wis. - After the Kenosha Unified School District had two gun scares in the span of a month, FOX6 News went to Kenosha police and tried to interview district leaders to answer questions. MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A discrimination complaint against the Menomonee Falls School Board for banning dozens of books last October is now headed to the state level. District shows improvement on school report cards The Burlington Area School District showed improvement in the school accountability report cards presented by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. School Board discusses capital improvements North Crawford NORTH CRAWFORD - At their Wednesday, Nov. 20 meeting, the North Crawford School Board reviewed capital improvements to their facilities and grounds funded through a referendum passed by the district voters in November of 2022. They also voted unanimously to approve an updated 10-year Capital Improvement Plan. WIAA reduces football playoff ban for Bay View, Pulaski: Parents, fans react MILWAUKEE — Two high school football programs scored a big win on Friday. Both Milwaukee Bay View High School and Milwaukee Pulaski High School will be able to participate in the high school football playoffs next season. Janesville Parker, Craig high schools’ state accountability scores slip to lowest in Rock County State data shows Janesville’s Parker and Craig high schools have fallen to the bottom of the stack of all Rock County high schools when it comes to student achievement. A deeper dive into state Department of Public Instruction individual school report cards released last month shows Parker High earned a state accountability score of 46.1. High school students compete in Fox Valley Tech’s annual Burger and Cake Throwdown APPLETON, Wis. (WFRV) – High school culinary students from across Wisconsin gathered at Fox Valley Technical College’s Appleton campus for the annual High School Burger and Cake Throwdown competition. Dept. of Public Instruction: Named recipient of 2024 Diversity Award MADISON — The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction today was named the recipient of the 2024 Diversity Award for its strong commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. State Superintendent Underly Seeks Reelection, Faces Challenger Department of Public Instruction Superintendent Jill Underly, who is running for her second term in office with the backing of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, faces a challenge from Sauk Prairie School District Superintendent Jeff Wright, a Democrat who says he wants to improve DPI’s communication. Move to alphabetical grading creates positive shift in Janesville middle schools, administrator says A shift in grading scale has produced positive results at Janesville’s middle schools. Chris Medenwaldt, the district’s director of secondary education, says this year’s change from a 1-to-4 numerical grading scale to the classic A-through-F alphabetical scale was driven by a desire to improve communication between parents and schools and increase student motivation and engagement. State Superintendent Recommends FFA Funding State Superintendent Jill Underly proposed an additional $60 million to expand career and technical education programs throughout the state, including FFA. DeForest School District looks to change graduation requirementsG raduation requirements for DeForest Area School District students could be changing. Recently, school officials talked with the school board about the reasons for the proposed move. Chris Smith, 7-12 director of instruction, said the main motivation came from an unlikely source. Pecatonica student runs for school board in district he'll graduate from one month later PECATONICA, Wis. (WMTV) - A senior in the Pecatonica Area School District is running for a seat on the district’s school board, aiming to bring positive changes to his community. Trevor Doescher says Pecatonica area schools have served him and his family well over the last several decades.
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