Wisconsin Education NewsMay 26, 2026A daily update of education news and events that are taking place around Wisconsin. Reminder: America 250 Statutory Requirement Under 2021 WI Act 95, all public and charter schools are required to hold at least one educational opportunity or event recognizing the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The submission form to report your school’s event or educational opportunity is now available. The DPI has also launched an America 250 webpage with resources and materials from trusted national partners to support local planning and implementation. Questions may be directed to [email protected]. Pulaski community could support up to $60M referendum, survey finds The Pulaski School Board and administration are beginning to zero in on what the district's likely November facilities referendum will look like, with survey results in. At the board’s May 20 meeting, members reviewed results from a facilities survey sent to residents across the district. While a majority of respondents said they approved of a $50 million or less facilities referendum, the survey found that a weighted 47.6% said they'd support a $60 million facilities referendum – within the margin of error, and potentially enough to complete the top three proposed projects. Shawano schools launch social media campaign During the summer months, the Shawano School District will be posting videos and articles to address school finances. District officials hope this will help those who disagree with recent cost-cutting decisions to understand why those decisions were made. Superintendent Kurt Krizan sent out a letter May 18 to staff members and the community, noting that the community cares about the schools and the people who make up those schools, and that communication on the issues was important. Krizan wrote that a recent bill that was considered by the Wisconsin Legislature that intended to provide additional funding for special education in schools did not pass. Columbus High School Names New Principal (COLUMBUS) Columbus High School will have a familiar face leading the school next year. The Columbus School District has named Jay Freerking as the next principal of Columbus High School. The school board approved his appointment during a recent meeting. Freerking will replace current principal Arik Gunderson, who is leaving for a principal job in the Osseo-Fairchild School District. Fratt Elementary staff welcome new gym, library at May 21 ribbon cutting RACINE, WI — Fratt Elementary staff celebrated a newly remodeled gym and more on Thursday, the first comprehensive remodel the historic building has undergone since it was built 110 years ago. It’s part of the Racine Unified School District’s 30-year, $1 billion facilities master plan referendum passed in 2020. The renovation costs were $13,941,501, according to the district’s master facilities plan outlook document an include: Wisconsin lags most states in post-pandemic academic growth, but these districts are getting praise FOND DU LAC, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A national report released this month found Wisconsin is trailing most states when it comes to post-pandemic academic growth, but several districts were highlighted for making significant strides post-2019. The 'Education Scorecard' has been produced annually in a joint project by researchers at Harvard and Stanford universities. The 2025 scorecard found Wisconsin ranked 33rd out of 38 eligible states in math score improvement from 2022 to 2025. In reading over that span, Wisconsin ranked 30th out of 35 states. Local Milwaukee school students clean graves for Memorial Day MILWAUKEE — A group of Milwaukee students is serving the community while honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the country. The 150 students from Carmen Schools of Science and Technology cleaned gravestones at Forest Home Cemetery and Arboretum on Friday. E-x-c-i-t-i-n-g: 2 Wisconsin students heading to the Scripps National Spelling Bee New Berlin eighth-grader Ethan Robert is not an analphabet, but he knows how to spell it. And that has earned him a spot at the National Spelling Bee competition this week. Analphabet — which means a person who is illiterate — was the winning word at the Badger State Spelling Bee Championship in March. Arnav Vempati, an eighth grader at Kromrey Elementary School in Middleton, came in second place at the state championship and will join Robert in Washington, D.C. from May 26-28. Marinette school board resets leadership, highlights student gains MARINETTE — The Marinette School Board has new officers after Tuesday’s meeting. During the voting process tied votes were common and each office required multiple ballot attempts before a majority vote was reached. Martin Shaw was elected president and Cindy Verschay was chosen to be vice president while Maria Fong-Baake will serve as clerk with Kurt Uecke selected to be treasurer. Before reorganization, the board recognized a slate of retirees representing a combined 130 years of service in roles ranging from teaching, administration and support staff. Recognized were Faith Behrend, Vickie DeCleene, Pat DeWitt, Corry Lambie, Josh Stuck and Maryanne Rich. Milwaukee School Board to vote May 28 on $1.6 billion MPS budget The Milwaukee School Board is set to vote May 28 on a $1.6 billion budget proposal for Milwaukee Public Schools. Board members have proposed no changes to the 2026-27 spending plan since Superintendent Brenda Cassellius released the draft May 4. The budget would add classroom staff, cut central office positions and shrink spending across nearly every administrative department as the district seeks to close a $46 million deficit and address long-term financial issues. Here's what to know about the budget ahead of the vote. Rhinelander High School juniors urge district to reconsider newest cell phone policy RHINELANDER (WJFW) — A stricter cell phone policy is coming to Rhinelander High School, drawing some pushback from students. A pair of RHS juniors went as far as to take their concerns to the school board, saying the current policy already strikes the right balance. Next fall, Rhinelander High School students will have to keep their phones locked away the entire school day. Wisconsin education leaders to announce ‘major’ new statewide initiative MADISON, Wis. (WBAY) - State Superintendent Jill Underly is set to announce a major new statewide initiative focused on Wisconsin students and their education. That is all we’re being told right now until an online news conference at 1:30 Tuesday afternoon.
|