Wisconsin Education NewsDecember 23, 2025A daily update of education news and events that are taking place around Wisconsin. Edgewood University and MMSD launch mathematics partnership MADISON (WKOW) -- Edgewood University and the Madison Metropolitan School District have launched a new math partnership. The initiative will support up to 25 MMSD teachers in earning qualifications to teach dual credit math courses at their own high schools. Edgewood says this will ensure students can access college-level learning without leaving their school campus. Bangor School District receives new CNC router technology from First National Bank BANGOR, Wis (WKBT) -- The Bangor School District received a computer numerically controlled router from First National Bank of Bangor that allows students to convert digital designs into physical projects. The CNC machine transforms how students learn hands-on skills by bridging computer programming and physical creation using wood and other materials. BANGOR, Wis (WKBT) -- The Bangor School District received a computer numerically controlled router from First National Bank of Bangor that allows students to convert digital designs into physical projects. The CNC machine transforms how students learn hands-on skills by bridging computer programming and physical creation using wood and other materials. Community raises $7,000 for McFarland student meal debt MCFARLAND, Wis. (WKOW) -- The McFarland School District has received almost $7,000 in donations to pay off student lunch account balances and to support food needs across the district. What started as two donations in November, totaling $1,550, turned into a broader community effort. Katelyn Howen, a McFarland community member, posted a call to action on Facebook on December 10. Judge denies WIAA motion in Seidl v. WIAA, sets another hearing for March WAUKESHA – The defense of Arrowhead's 18-15 WIAA Division 1 football state title win over Bay Port on Nov. 21 began not on the field, but in a Waukesha County Circuit Courtroom on Dec. 19 in the ongoing case of Seidl vs. Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. In a motion hearing before Judge Paul Bugenhagen Jr., the court ruled to deny a WIAA motion to dismiss the Seidls' claim for certiorari relief (review of a lower government agency's ruling). The court also requested additional materials from both sides related to the Seidls other claim in the case, that the WIAA unlawfully exercises government power. Neillsville District Administrator Highlights Items from December Board Meeting The Neillsville School Board held their December meeting on Monday. I spoke with Neillsville District Administrator Corey Peterson and he discussed some of the items on the agenda in more detail. Green Bay middle school students race CO2 cars with new tech funded by GBAPS grant GREEN BAY (WLUK) -- Lombardi Middle School tech-ed students spent Friday afternoon showing off their skills in the annual CO2 car races. It's a project that's been going on at the Green Bay school for the past four years. Although it's not quite the Indianapolis 500, the sounds of cheers in the school's hallway might make you think it is. Marshfield High School Student Council Hosts 2nd Annual Light Up the Fieldhouse Event Leaders of the Marshfield High School Student Council organized and hosted the 2nd Annual Light Up the Fieldhouse on December 12. This year, the council chose to donate all proceeds to United Way programs that directly support youth in the community. Thanks to the generosity of their donors and supporters, nearly $3,300 was raised. The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) Foundation announced today that the WIAA Board of Control has approved a five-year financial commitment to the Foundation, reinforcing the Association’s long-term investment in education-based athletics across Wisconsin. Under the action taken by the Board of Control at its meeting last week, the WIAA will contribute $10,000 annually to the WIAA Foundation through the 2029-30 school year, for a total commitment of $50,000. Sunset Ridge Elementary students celebrate new greenhouse with planting party MIDDLETON, Wis. (WMTV) - Students at Sunset Ridge Elementary School celebrated their newly constructed greenhouse with an outdoor garden planting party on Friday. Students planted cold-hardy lettuces, kales and flowers in the Geodesic Greenhouse. Library Media Center Teacher Ren Schwab led efforts to build the greenhouse, which is designed to serve as a hub connecting staff, students and community members with the environment through hands-on projects. Onalaska teachers support families with holiday food basket distribution ONALASKA, (WKBT) — Teachers in Onalaska stepped up to help local families have a happier holiday season through the annual food basket distribution organized by the Onalaska Education Association. The organization held its annual food basket distribution today for families in the School District of Onalaska. Volunteers spent the morning sorting, bagging and loading up holiday food baskets. Kiel School District Highlights Good Things Happening at the Middle and Elementary Schools The Kiel School District is highlighting a few recent events held at the Middle and Elementary schools. The students at Zielanis Elementary School have been busy making tray favors to share with community members who receive Meals on Wheels. Operational referendum tops Burke's Briefing WATERTOWN — With only a dozen in attendance for a briefing Thursday night at the Watertown Public Library, Watertown Unified School District Administrator Jarred Burke spoke about the upcoming operational referendum trying to drum up support. When questioned about how many community surveys went out to the public, he said 14,000 were done in a bulk mailing with the school district receiving 1,900 in return, or 13%. With nearly 70 fifth-grade students in the same room around the holidays, you'd expect talk of wish lists and presents. At Lodi Elementary School, where the halls were lined with Christmas mobiles and the cubbies stuffed with winter coats, the students had other concerns at the moment. The students had written letters to Helping Hands about someone else who might need a hand. The Wisconsin State Journal staff reads the letters, picks about 30, and sends money in the students' names. This year, more than 150 students in south-central Wisconsin wrote letters. Marinette school district increases attendance rates MARINETTE — Attendance in the Marinette Public School District is higher than the previous school year, rising from 92.4% to 94.4%. Student Services 2025-26 Trimester Board Report, given at Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting, showed positive attendance trends over the last five years. Pulaski counselor receives state award for her work Candice Bogacz is the 2026 recipient of the Wisconsin School Counselor Association (WSCA) Lifetime Achievement Award. “I was just blown away,” Bogacz said about when she received the call from WCSA letting her know that she was selected for the award. “It’s such an honor.” Bogacz is the school counselor at Pulaski Community School District’s Glenbrook Elementary School. She has been in the position for almost 20 years. Milton School Supertintendent Rich Dahman to retire MILTON — After devoting more than four decades to education, Milton School Superintendent Rich Dahman is reflecting on his career and how the profession has changed, as he gets ready to retire. Dahman announced his retirement in early December, effective at the end of the 2025-26 school year. Dahman came to the Milton schools in 2019 as the interim superintendent after the resignation of Tim Schigur and was hired permanently the following year. Prior to being hired in Milton, he was the superintendent in Medford, Wisconsin, from 2013 to 2017 and in Winona Area Public Schools in Winona, Minnesota from 2017 to 2019. GREEN BAY, Wis. — Nearly one in five children ages 3 to 17 have been diagnosed with a mental, emotional, or behavioral health condition, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Family issues, increased stress and pressure, and exposure to violence are just a few of the reasons for growing anxiety among kids. To reduce the mental health care access barrier for students, Children’s Wisconsin opened a mental health walk-in clinic in Green Bay. Plover student’s ornament displayed in D.C. PLOVER, Wis. (WSAW) -A Plover 8th grader has won a national competition that earned him a free trip to any national park of his choosing. August Bushman was one of 24 students from around the country picked as winners of the National Parks Service’s America’s Field Trip competition, held in honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary. August and his dad decided to visit the Rocky Mountains in Colorado for their free trip. Green Bay school board votes against pilot program for weapon detection systems GREEN BAY (WLUK) -- It appears weapon detection systems will not be coming to Green Bay schools -- at least, not anytime soon. On Monday night, the Board of Education for the Green Bay Area Public School District voted against the implementation of a pilot program for weapon detection systems that had been recommended by GBAPS Superintendent Vicki Bayer. SDR board receives construction update, lockdown drill report The School District of Rhinelander’s board of education received an update on fall school violence and lockdown drills during its Dec. 15 meeting. Board president Ron Counter reported on the school safety grant, saying lockdown drills had been completed at all schools. Trig’s Shell donates to local school districts Trig’s Shell, owned by T.A. Solberg Company, Inc., is excited to announce its commitment to supporting local education through the successful Shell Giving Pump campaign. The stations proudly donated a total of $1,500 to schools in our community from the fall campaign, bringing the total Giving Pump donations to $4,000. The Shell Giving Pump is a unique charitable initiative where participating stations contribute a portion of every gallon purchased at specially marked pumps to local nonprofits. This means that every time guests fuel up, they help make a difference without any additional cost to them. Hudson Schools' Production Woodworking class builds sauna Hudson students built a sauna for a customer during the school district’s Production Woodworking class. The students learned the construction process from drawing, figuring out materials and cost, framing floor, wall and roof systems. New Richmond School Board to consider high school starting later, elementary school starting earlier The New Richmond School Board considered changing school start times at its Dec. 15 meeting. School district administration could bring a proposal to the board in January that pushes back high school start times and brings forward elementary school hours. The discussion stems from several factors like avoiding tardiness. And research suggests that adjusting the school start times to better align students' biological clocks improves their health, safety and academic performance. MPS Makes Progress on Science of Reading Last spring, Milwaukee School Board director James Ferguson was perplexed as to why Milwaukee Public Schools‘ efforts to implement the science of reading (SOR) in the district were so difficult. “It seemed that we could not get a grip on the science of reading training. I was not satisfied that we didn’t have anybody trained. I really wanted to understand what the training consisted of and why it was so difficult to turn the page.” Ferguson turned to the one person he knew in MPS who had a good understanding of SOR, the district’s own board clerk, Tina Owen-Moore, who has been recognized as a leader in implementing the science of reading in Wisconsin as the superintendent in Cudahy. As it turns out, Owen-Moore was Ferguson’s eighth grade English teacher. Cadrex Manufacturing Donates $2,500 To Help St. Croix Falls Students Pay Off Lunch Balances POLK COUNTY — Cadrex Manufacturing Solutions generously donated $2,500 to the St. Croix Falls School District on December 19, 2025, with the funds designated to help pay off unpaid student lunch account balances.
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