Wisconsin Education NewsMay 12, 2026A daily update of education news and events that are taking place around Wisconsin. Budget surplus agreement includes new funding for special education and general school aids The $1.8 billion surplus agreement announced yesterday by Governor Evers includes just over $600 million for K-12 education, split roughly evenly between new funding for special education and general school aids, two of SAA’s top budget priorities. Menasha schools begin search for superintendent MENASHA, Wis. (WBAY) - The Menasha Joint School District began its search for its next superintendent. Matt Zimmerman announced his resignation last month. Hudson School Board votes to not record work sessions going forward The Hudson School Board voted 6-1 to no longer record and publish online work session meetings, departing from a recent practice that began during school closure discussions. Similar to other school boards, Hudson hosts work sessions as a way to combine various committee meetings. Work sessions tend to be informal, though board members can sometimes vote on certain agenda items. Wisconsin schools would get $617M boost in $1.8B funding deal School districts in Wisconsin would see a funding boost under a $1.8 billion spending deal Gov. Tony Evers and Republican lawmakers unveiled May 11. The proposal directs more than $617 million in funding to the state's schools, with about half going toward special education reimbursement and the other half toward general school aids beginning in the 2026-27 school year. The proposed deal, which lawmakers could vote on this week in the state Capitol, would spend down the state's projected $2.5 billion surplus after months of negotiations between Evers and Republican legislative leaders. DELAVAN — Fans of Delavan-Darien's bilingual education model spent the past month worrying it would be shortened or eliminated. The school board decided to leave it as is. Keith Nerby 'excited' to become principal at Milton High School MILTON — After being announced as the next principal at Milton High School, Keith Nerby says he’s excited to take the job because he thinks it’s a “destination district” borne of student success. “It’s a place that the community rallies around. Test scores are great and I’ve heard nothing but great things about staff,” Nerby said. Nerby, who is originally from Delafield, is the principal at Sturgeon Bay High School in Door County, roughly 45 minutes northeast of Green Bay. He returns to southern Wisconsin, where he has spent most of his career. Portage Community School District gets $41,000 grant to expand mental health services PORTAGE (WKOW) -- The Portage Community School District received a $41,000 multi-year grant from WEA Member Benefits Foundation, Inc., to support school-based mental health initiatives. "This funding is a true blessing for our students and staff," said Theresa Stolpa, director of student services for the district. "It will allow us to not only continue our current efforts but also significantly enhance our work surrounding student mental health." The composer who created "A Mother of a Revolution" is speaking out ahead of Tuesday’s Watertown school board vote on whether students at Watertown High School will be allowed to perform the piece during their spring concert. The composition has become the center of controversy in the community after some school board members and residents questioned whether the music is appropriate for students because of its connection to the 1969 Stonewall Uprising and a transgender activist Marsha P. Johnson. JACKSON, Wis. — The West Bend School District broke ground on a new elementary school in the Village of Jackson, set to open in fall 2027 as the district works through years of budget challenges, declining enrollment and facility consolidation. Parents and Superintendent Jennifer Wimmer gathered to mark the milestone, which comes after multiple failed referendums before voters approved the plan in 2024. Iola Scandinavia School District making budget choices after failed referendum Last month voters in the Iola Scandinavia school district rejected an operational referendum asking for $1.6 million. School leaders say they are now tasked with significantly reducing their spending leaving them with some tough choices. Budget cuts for the district have already been approved, reducing spending by $500,000. Gov. Evers calls new bipartisan property tax & school funding deal 'significant' BARNEVELD, Wis. (WKOW) -- State lawmakers are working to save Wisconsinites more money after striking a bipartisan deal Monday. In an decision only between Gov. Tony Evers, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Devin Lemahieu, they will be investing over $600 million for K-12 Wisconsin schools, and raising the special education reimbursement rate from 42% to 50%. The state is paying for it by dipping into the state surplus. Gov. Evers addressed members of the media at Barneveld School District, another stop on his tour across the state highlighting schools and kids. Madison school district floats all-day cellphone ban for K-8 students The Madison school district unveiled its proposal for a new cellphone policy at the May 4 School Board meeting, recommending an all-day ban for students in grades K-8 while allowing more leniency for high school students to use their phones during passing time and lunch periods. At the meeting, some School Board members expressed trepidations about a full-day ban for K-8 students, while others questioned different aspects of the proposed policy. Elm Grove special education teacher named Wisconsin Teacher of the Year ELM GROVE, Wis. - Pilgrim Park Middle School in Elm Grove had a big surprise for one of its beloved teachers on Monday, May 11. She did not know it, until she was standing in front of an all-school assembly. What we know: Allison Urban had no idea everyone gathered in the gym was there to celebrate her. She is one of only a handful in Wisconsin who can claim the title of "Teacher of the Year." Beloit school budget cuts could eliminate 46 positions BELOIT — The School District of Beloit Board of Education is holding a special meeting Tuesday, May 12 to look at $4.6 million in possible budget cuts for the 2026-2027 school year. The cuts would run deep. They could include eliminating 46 positions, including 33 teachers at all levels, cutting middle school sports this year and summer school next year. The meeting is scheduled to begin after a special business, operations and finance committee meeting set for 4:30 p.m. Wisconsin lawmakers approve historic school funding boost, but is it enough? A bipartisan deal struck by Gov. Tony Evers, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester), and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) would pour more than $600 million into Wisconsin’s K-12 schools, push the state’s special education reimbursement rate to 50%, and deliver property tax relief to homeowners statewide. The package was announced Monday in a press release from Evers’ office. Middleton-Cross Plains school district launches full-day 4K pilot program MIDDLETON, Wis. — The Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District announced on Monday that it is expanding its tuition-free 4-year-old kindergarten offerings for the upcoming school year with a full-day 4K pilot program. This pilot program, hosted at Northside Elementary School, is open to families who live in the attendance areas for Northside Elementary School and Sauk Trail Elementary School. Rhinelander school club organizes color run to raise money for child's liver transplant RHINELANDER (WJFW) — Long stays in the hospital can become expensive and stressful, particularly when a kid is involved. One high school club is helping a young child in their community in need of a transplant. May 16 is the fourth annual Rhinelander High School Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) Color Run and this year 8-year-old Sophia Thompson was picked to receive funds raised for her transplant. Hands-on chicken program teaches Horlick students sustainability RACINE, WI — William Horlick High School senior Antonio Hernandez didn’t know much about chickens before taking Tom Pfeiffer’s science class. Now, he’s helping care for hens and chicks as part of a hands-on lesson in farm-to-table food systems and sustainability. Students in Pfeiffer’s class are responsible for feeding and caring for the chickens, collecting eggs, cleaning the coop, and maintaining the space. The project began last school year after Pfeiffer noticed the school’s greenhouse area was underutilized and asked students to think about ways they could better understand where food comes from. Kimberly teacher talks enrichment and reptiles in Hallway Voices For this week's Hallway Voices, we learned the ways parents and teachers help students find new ways to learn. We talked with Kayla Hendricks, who teaches Kimberly third and fourth graders in the gifted and talented program, called PACE (Program for Academic and Creative Enrichment). She holds PACE classes at all four Kimberly elementary schools and runs the school spelling bee and the Noetic Math Contest for all Kimberly students. Franklin Elementary renovation begins amid Oshkosh school consolidation OSHKOSH (NBC 26) — Renovations are underway at Franklin Elementary School, marking the beginning of a sweeping consolidation effort across the Oshkosh Area School District. The project is part of a larger restructuring plan approved by voters in a 2025 referendum. The district is closing two elementary schools — Roosevelt and Shapiro S.T.E.M. Elementary — and expanding three others to absorb displaced students. Evers, GOP leaders announce deal on tax relief and school funding After months of negotiation, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and Republican leaders in the Legislature said Monday they’ve reached a deal that would spend down the state’s budget surplus on tax relief and education. But whether the deal would actually pass appeared uncertain after several lawmakers — including the state Senate’s top Democrat — took issue with the agreement. The roughly $1.8 billion deal, which is expected to go before lawmakers for a vote this week, includes $850 million in direct payments to taxpayers, and the elimination of state income tax for overtime pay and tipped earnings. It would also boost spending on K-12 education by $600 million. MADISON — State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly today issued a statement in response to Gov. Tony Evers’ and GOP leaders’ bipartisan deal to invest in Wisconsin’s kids and schools. The bipartisan package announced today includes an investment of more than $600 million in Wisconsin’s K-12 public schools, including increasing the state’s special education reimbursement rate to 50 percent—the largest increase in state history—as well as investing over $300 million in general school aids. Wisconsin Association of School Boards: Statement on state budget surplus deal announcement We commend Governor Evers and legislative leaders from both parties for working together in a bipartisan manner to reach this $1.8 billion agreement to use state surplus dollars to fund schools and provide relief to property taxpayers. Wisconsin Students Can Join Free Adopt a Cow Program Enrollment is now open for the free “Adopt a Cow” program for the 2026-27 school year, giving Wisconsin students and community groups an opportunity to connect with the state’s dairy industry through hands-on learning experiences. The program, organized by Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin (DFW) and Discover Dairy, matches participants with calves from four Wisconsin dairy farms: OrthRidge Farms in Lancaster, Nellie Farms in Eau Claire, Schleis Farms in Kewaunee, and McFarlandale Dairy in Watertown.
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