Wisconsin Education NewsApril 10, 2026A daily update of education news and events that are taking place around Wisconsin. Spring Elections & Claims v. Realities on School Funding Voters across Wisconsin went to the ballot box on Tuesday. While the election resulted in a decisive win for Justice-elect Taylor, school referendum outcomes were more mixed, with a passage rate of approximately 60%. That marks a decline from recent cycles and is likely due, at least in part, to property tax increases tied to policy decisions made in Madison during the last state budget. You can view a full list of referendum results here or visit the DPI website for a more detailed breakdown. Wausau school libraries receive grant WAUSAU, WI (WSAU-WAOW) – The Wausau School District received a $631,000 check aimed at strengthening resources within its libraries. Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski stopped by for the presentation and an activity with students. “This month is National Public School Library Month, and as chair of the Common School Fund, we provide the sole source of funding for our school libraries,” Godlewski said. Arrowhead School District votes to consider not renewing contracts for four teachers HARTLAND, Wis. — The Arrowhead Union High School District voted to notify four teachers that they may not have their teaching contracts renewed for next year. "The board voted to issue preliminary notices of consideration to nonrenewal teacher contracts to four individuals," Arrowhead Union High School District Superintendent Conrad Farner wrote in an email to WISN 12 News. Rhinelander High School to implement a 'bell-to-bell' cell phone ban next fall RHINELANDER (WJFW) — It might not seem like a big deal to check your cell phone for just a second, but school leaders say those seconds can add up. For years, cell phones have been a constant distraction in classrooms, pulling student’s attention away from learning. 'We need more than no' Dodgeville superintendent reacts to referendum failure DODGEVILLE, Wis. (WKOW) — The Dodgeville School District saw its third consecutive operating referendum fail. Superintendent Ryan Bohnsack said the latest result caught him off guard. "I was shocked," Bohnsack said. "Really was surprised to see that it didn't pass this time." HARTLAND, Wis. (CBS 58) -- One year after voters rejected a multi-million referendum, the Arrowhead School District is now considering cuts to its staff to balance its budget. It's still unclear how many teachers may lose their jobs at Arrowhead Union High School. Wisconsinites voted on 75 school referendums Tuesday, most races decided by small margins More than 60 percent of school districts looking for additional local support from taxpayers won approval of ballot measures this week. But in an election that saw a landslide victory for the liberal-leaning candidate in the state Supreme Court race, many of the 75 school referendums on the ballot Tuesday were decided by close margins. Wisconsin schools struggling under funding system consider next steps after referendum results There were over 70 school referendum questions on ballots across Wisconsin Tuesday, and according to preliminary results, about 62% passed and 38% failed. The results determine whether school districts can keep up with costs, will need to make difficult decisions about cuts or even put themselves on a path to consolidation or dissolution. April ballot measures are just the latest round of school funding requests as school districts continue to struggle under the state’s current funding system. Sparta voters reject $1.8M school district operational referendum SPARTA, Wis. (WKBT) — Sparta School District voters have rejected an operational referendum proposal that would have provided $1.8 million over three years to preserve student resources and co-curricular programs. The failed referendum forces the district to implement deeper budget cuts after years of financial reductions. Sparta Superintendent Sam Russ said the rejection will result in more significant cuts than originally planned. Wausau School District Announces the Sale of Grant Elementary (Mike Leischner, WSAU) -The Wausau School District has announced the sale of Grant Elementary, about six months after a previous deal for the property fell apart. According to Mike Leischner with WSAU, Grant School LLC, a private company that is not affiliated with the district, bought the building for $555,000. The sale closed on March 30th, according to a release from the district. These are the results of 7 Central Wisconsin school district referendaNearly one fifth of Wisconsin’s 421 school districts asked voters to consider additional funding in the April 7 election. Voters in 73 districts across the state, including seven in the Central Wisconsin region, were asked to consider on April 7 over $1 billion of additional funds for both operational costs and capital project borrowing with 75 ballot questions, according to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s (DPI) referenda report website. MADISON — The Association of Wisconsin School Administrators (AWSA) has named Catherine Loss as the 2026 Elementary School Principal of the Year. Loss serves as principal of Lloyd Barbee Montessori School in Milwaukee Public Schools. Over the past 14 years, she has led the transformation and growth of the school into a thriving K-8 Montessori program grounded in equity, community, and a whole-child approach to education. Doty Elementary students show off LEGO machines GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) - Students at Doty Elementary School are showing off some cool machines they built out of LEGO. Susan Barnard, the school’s librarian, hosted an open house for the 5th graders to showcase their creations to younger students. New law allows Indigenous students to wear regalia at graduations Indigenous peoples, tribal leaders and supporters are applauding a new law signed by Gov. Evers on April 9 allowing Native students to wear traditional tribal regalia at school events such as graduations. Some schools already allow students this flexibility, but there has been no statewide clarity, despite broad protections for a student’s religious beliefs, ancestry, creed, race and national origin.
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