Wisconsin Education News

Wisconsin public schools continue to lose students, funding

MADISON, Wis. -- Schools across Wisconsin are losing students. And losing funds, as well. Just over 800,000 students were enrolled in Wisconsin public schools during the 2024-45 school year. According to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, that's the lowest head count in decades. "It's both a statewide and a national trend," said UW-Madison Laboratory of Applied Populations Researcher Sarah Kemp. "We peaked in the number of births in the state of Wisconsin in 2007. So if you think about it, those children are now 18. So they're aging out of the school system." Kemp says two things lead to declining enrollment--dropping birth rates and rising interest and availability of school choice options.

Department of Education staffing cuts raise concerns about future of Impact Aid

Forest County has long struggled with getting funding to provide services. Between the Chequamegon Nicolet National Forest and two Tribal reservations, only about 15% of the land in the county is taxable. In recent years, referendums to raise taxes to cover costs have failed at both the county level and with the School District of Crandon. Crandon District Administrator Jason Bertrand says while it makes budgeting difficult, he understands.

Madison high schools offer few on-site courses for college credit

As the social studies department chair at La Follette High School, Dan Kromer oversees the Advanced Placement course options, also known as AP classes. The nationally recognized college-level courses range from U.S. history to African American studies to psychology. Kromer also knows some students who leave La Follette to take classes at Madison College and are essentially full-time students there. They come back from time to time to ask for letters of recommendation and participate in certain school activities, Kromer said.

Deb Kerr to retire as St. Francis Schools superintendent at end of school year

St. Francis School District's superintendent announced that the current 2025-26 school year will be her last in charge of the district. Deb Kerr said in a phone interview that the St. Francis School Board formally approved her resignation at its Oct. 27 meeting. She said her last day in the district will be June 30, 2026. She said it is a "retirement resignation" to allow the board ample time to find a new superintendent.

School resource officers keep MPS hallways safe two months into the school year

MILWAUKEE — Since the school year began September 2, Milwaukee Police Department school resource officers have been working full time patrolling Milwaukee Public School hallways at the district’s 12 high schools. Captain Vynetta Norberg is the leading commander for the MPD SRO program and says in the first two months alone officers have prevented multiple cases of gun violence from taking place in school hallways.

Beloit school staff more positive about district direction

BELOIT — The mood of the School District of Beloit staff is improving, but SDB workers are feeling the pinch of budget cuts. The School District of Beloit Board of Education recently reviewed the results of this semester’s School Perceptions Survey. The district had 301 staffers take the survey, which is a 41% participation rate. Staffers responded more positively than they did in the spring on 27 of the 39 questions.

School districts work to keep kids fed during SNAP uncertainty

DANE COUNTY, Wis. — Right now, many schools and teachers in Wisconsin are taking on the added responsibility of keeping children, their families and the greater community fed. Cambridge, Wis., is home to less than 2,000 people. Its school district and the Cambridge Community Activities Program (CAP) work to keep the shelves of the town’s only food pantry stocked at Nikolay Middle School. Anyone who lives within the district can use the pantry. “We probably have 30% who are families in the district with kids, and then probably another 40% that are seniors,” said Kerry Marren, the community outreach and communications coordinator for CAP. Marren said it’s been hard seeing more students asking for help.

OASD votes to borrow $5 million to cover operating expenses

OSHKOSH, WI—(WISS)— The Oshkosh Area School District (OASD) voted unanimously Wednesday night to borrow no more than $5 million to cover operating expenses. Back in August, the board also approved a $10 million short-term loan. Drew Niehans, the executive director of business services, said the borrowing is commonplace and is just a measure to create a cash flow while waiting for tax payments.

School board hears Advanced Learning update

The Verona Area School District (VASD) is deepening its commitment to educational excellence grounded in equity through a renewed approach to Advanced Learning, designed to ensure that every student has access to opportunities that nurture their unique strengths, interests and talents. Executive Director of Academic Services Amy Engelkins and Special Programs Coordinator Lindsay Simonson gave an update on Advanced Learning to the Board of Education on Monday, Nov. 3. 

MPSD Superintendent Joins Ascend Services Board of Directors

A familiar face in the City of Manitowoc has joined the Ascend Services Board of Directors. Ascend Services has shared that Manitowoc Public School District Superintendent Lee Thennes has been appointed as the newest member of the Board.

Lawmakers Criticize DPI Superintendent Underly at Hearing

Wisconsin Superintendent Jill Underly faced more criticism from lawmakers on Wednesday as the Joint Legislative Audit Committee reviewed the findings of a financial reporting audit and launched an audit of the agency’s licensing procedures. During the first three hours of the committee hearing, Underly’s absence was a major discussion point for lawmakers on the committee as they reviewed the financial audit. She has also faced criticism for being absent about two weeks ago at the Assembly Government Oversight Accountability and Transparency committee meeting when she was in Indiana to accept an award.

Sturgeon Bay and Gibraltar Schools Level Up

Some of Sturgeon Bay social studies teacher Stephen Jacobson’s earliest memories are of opening gifts like Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda on Christmas morning. Decades later, his lifelong love of gaming has become a bridge between him and his students. “Students are always really surprised when they come to sixth grade and they see that Mr. Jacobson plays Fortnite, or knows what Call of Duty is. So it’s a nice icebreaker with the kids,” he said. Backed by his personal interest, Jacobson created the Sturgeon Bay School District’s esports team, which has been competing since 2021.

Lambie will retire from Marinette school position

MARINETTE — At the regular October Marinette Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Corry Lambie announced his upcoming retirement, effective June 30. This gives the board a few months to find someone to fill his shoes. Lambie has been with the school district for 30 years, serving many roles as teacher, curriculum director, coach, principal, and more — the last five years as superintendent.

Oconomowoc school board OKs budget

OCONOMOWOC — Residents in the Oconomowoc Area School District will see a lower mill rate after the School Board approved the tax levy for the 2025-26 school year. The School Board took into consideration three scenarios, all of which would have resulted in a reduction of the mill rate if adopted. The main differences between the 2025-26 budget options were in the tax levy, which determines the mill rate. Superintendent Michael Sereno had said all three budgets would result in a balanced budget and would support student achievement while providing competitive salaries and benefits for OASD staff.

EXCLUSIVE: Wisconsin school consolidation bills include $2K per student incentive

(The Center Square) – Wisconsin school districts will be eligible for $2,000 per student extra in funding for the first year if a series of bills in the state are passed into law. A group of Republican lawmakers are pushing the bills as the state’s K-12 student population declines by an estimated 10,000 students. The state’s largest school district, Milwaukee public schools, saw a total enrollment drop of nearly 30,000 students (32.8%) between 2006 and 2024. The five consolidation bills were introduced Wednesday by lawmakers.

Superior High School names new principal

SUPERIOR — Superior High School’s next principal has been named. Ryan Haroldson, principal for Great Lakes Elementary School, will transition to high school principal Jan. 1, according to a news release from the Superior School District.

Lawmakers unanimously approve audit of DPI policies on revoking, suspending teacher licenses

A legislative committee unanimously approved an audit of the Department of Public Instruction’s policies on the revocation and suspension of education officials’ licenses. The proposed audit was prompted by a media report finding DPI had investigated more than 200 teachers, aides, substitutes and administrators between 2018 and 2023 following accusations of sexual misconduct or grooming behaviors. 

WIAA board approves spring sports changes, action items

The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Board of Control approved coaches advisory committee rule change recommendations in track and field, softball, and lacrosse at its Oct. 30 meeting. The sport of track and field will experience the most changes to the season regulations with five recommendations passed by the board. Beginning next spring, pole vaulters will weigh-in twice during the season with a third verification form required before the State Meet for qualifying pole vaulters.

Behind the snow days: Amery's plan to keep learning when roads close Nov 7, 2025 6 mins ago

From canoeing the Boundary Waters to logging on for virtual lessons, Amery students are learning that flexibility is part of education. As the district looks back on a record summer-school season, it’s also gearing up for Wisconsin’s inevitable winter curveballs. The district shared some of the accomplishments they saw during the summer months in their summer school programs.

New Berlin elementary students explore journalism during hands-on Career Day expo

NEW BERLIN, Wis. — Hundreds of students at New Berlin's Elmwood Elementary School explored potential future careers, including becoming a future TMJ4 journalist. The Elmwood Career Expo offered hands-on experience in 25 careers, including students trying out reporting and interviewing each other.

Wilmot UHS Building Construction student build walls for Habitat for Humanity

Students in Wilmot Union High School’s Building Construction 2 class are making a difference in their community—one wall at a time. The class recently completed two full sets of garage walls for Habitat for Humanity homes being built in Kenosha.