Wisconsin Education NewsJuly 8, 2025A daily update of education news and events that are taking place around Wisconsin. 2025 Elementary Principals’ Convention New School District of Crandon administrator begins work The new administrator of the School District of Crandon is now on the job. Jason Bertrand started work July 1st. One City Schools marks a decade educating kids with LeVar Burton event One City Schools, the independent charter school on Madison’s south side, plans to hold a community rally Thursday at The Sylvee to celebrate its 10th anniversary. Over the last decade, One City has raised $50 million to help serve underprivileged students in the area through innovative and unique ways, according to founder and CEO Kaleem Caire. Only one Green Bay area school district starts before Labor Day. When does your school start? While Green Bay's enjoying the summer heat, the start of school is starting to poke above the horizon. But there's no need to panic; there's still plenty of time for swimming, sunbathing and sleeping in. Most Green Bay and Brown County schools start after Labor Day, following state statute. Only one area school will start earlier, citing transportation conflicts with local private schools. La Crosse Schools superintendent on special education funding in WI budget The La Crosse School District is getting some additional help with special education funding for the next two years now that the state budget was signed by Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers late last week. Speaking Monday on La Crosse Talk, superintendent Dr. Aaron Engel said that the district receives 42 percent the first year and 45 percent funding the second under the new budget, up from 30 percent in the current one. GBAPS awaits $3.4 million in Title grants during federal freeze GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) - Over $72 million in Title grants going towards several K-12 programs statewide remain frozen by the federal government. Green Bay Area Public Schools awaits the release of roughly $3.4 million in Title grants, less than two months away from the first day of school. Green Bay’s school superintendent expressed her concern about the freeze’s potential impact on students, teachers and city taxpayers. Janesville School Board to vote on preliminary 2025-26 budget JANESVILLE — The Janesville School Board will consider a preliminary 2025-26 budget Tuesday, days after state Democrats and Republicans compromised on a 2025-27 state biennial budget bill that was ultimately signed by Gov. Tony Evers. The meeting is at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Educational Services Center, 527 S. Franklin St., in Janesville.In a memo released by the district, signed by Chief Financial Officer Dan McCrea and sent to Superintendent Mark Holzman on July 1, two days prior to the state budget being signed by Evers, McCrea said he had “no clear understanding of additional equalization aid or school levy credits, thereby driving up local school tax levies.” Wisconsin's Maplewood School is now the nation's largest zero-net energy middle school MENASHA, Wis. (WFRV) – A major milestone in sustainable school design was celebrated today as state and local officials toured the newly completed Maplewood School in Menasha. Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Serves (DSPS) Secretary Dan Hereth joined school district leaders and Miron Construction to walk through the $99.7 million, 223,000+ square foot facility. The new Maplewood School is now the largest zero-net energy middle/intermediate school in the country. School District of Jefferson launches new website JEFFERSON — The School District of Jefferson has unveiled a new website that it says reflects its commitment to “transparent communication” and “community engagement,” but with the intent of having a user-friendly, mobile-friendly and updated look and feel. “We’ve focused on providing updated tools, an easy-to-use platform, and an enhanced focus on accessibility for all individuals,” a statement from the district reads. Dusick updates school board on summer projects School may be out, but the quest to maintain facilities is always in season. Speaking at the regular school board meeting June 23, Building and Grounds Supervisor Jamie Dusick updated the Stanley-Boyd Area School Board on current projects while school is out. Osseo-Fairchild School District Completes Educational Solar Project The Osseo-Fairchild School District has completed its Educational Solar Project. They’re excited to announce the completion of their educational solar installation at the Osseo-Fairchild Technology Education Center! Starting in the 2025–2026 school year, students will begin hands-on classes focused on renewable energy and solar technology. Two years after it passed, Wisconsin's 'science of reading law' is fully funded Nearly two years after it became law in Wisconsin, Act 20 has been fully funded. State lawmakers included nearly $41 million for literacy efforts in the recently passed 2025-27 state budget. Adding to smaller allocations already put in place, that money completed the original $50 million ask of the law that made sweeping changes to the way children are taught to read. Lawmakers declined to fully fund Act 20 while a legal dispute between Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and Republican co-chairs of the state Legislature's Joint Committee on Finance moved through the court system. Hmong American Peace Academy to receive Northwestern Mutual funding for four projects Northwestern Mutual Foundation is funding dozens of education-related projects this year, pledging $4.5 million to support 70 local schools and nonprofits, according to a June 17 news release. Of the 17 charter, private and public schools receiving grant funding, Hmong American Peace Academy will receive the most. Between its four funded projects, HAPA has 39 teachers involved — the most of any school being funded. Black male educators create powerful change at Milwaukee school MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Academy of Science has doubled its number of Black male educators, creating a powerful impact on students' lives and future aspirations. Inside the halls of Milwaukee Academy of Science (MAS), a quiet revolution is underway. The school has doubled the number of Black male educators, and students are feeling the positive effects of this representation in their classrooms. Gov. Evers stands by budget, public school funding MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - The new state budget, a compromise between Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and the Republican legislative leaders, will provide an additional $500 million to special education reimbursement for schools. However, some teachers, advocates and Democrats are disappointed the overall funding for the state’s schools. “It’s progress,” Dr. Jill Underly said after being sworn in for her second term as the superintendent of the Wisconsin’s Department of Public Instruction. The new budget will bump special education reimbursement rates from 32.1% to 42% in the first year and 45% in the next year. “It gets us on a path,” Underly said. “I had proposed 90%.” Tony Evers defends education funding in state budget after many Democrats voted no Democratic Gov. Tony Evers is defending the state budget's investments in special education after many lawmakers in his party voted against the spending plan over concerns it doesn't provide enough in general school aid. The compromise Evers reached with Republican leaders boosts the rate at which the state reimburses school districts for special education costs. Districts have long said they must pull from their general budgets to cover remaining costs, forcing them to go to a referendum. MPS Summer Programs Underway for Students Across Milwaukee MILWAUKEE—Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) Superintendent Brenda Cassellius today announced the start of MPS Summer Academy. Summer Academy programs will take place at multiple sites across the city of Milwaukee. Students can catch up on credits, enjoy fun summer programming, or take enrichment classes like choir, band, forensic science, cake making, and more.
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