Wisconsin Education NewsJune 26, 2026A daily update of education news and events that are taking place around Wisconsin. Former Amery grads leave over $205,000 to school district A trust written nearly 40 years ago by two Amery High School graduates has delivered $205,411 to the Amery School District, the largest single gift administrators say they can recall, and has opened a window into the lives of a couple who left town, built a manufacturing empire in Michigan and never forgot home. Kaukauna to build roundabout with walking tunnel for new middle school KAUKAUNA (WLUK) -- Kaukauna School District has a unique plan as part of its new $169 million middle school project -- a new roundabout with a walking tunnel near the new middle school. Located at the intersection of Highway 55 and Morningside Drive, it'll be one of two access roads into the new middle school. Analysis of MPS transportation system flags late buses, high costs In an effort to improve transportation and cut costs, Milwaukee Public Schools is exploring potential changes to its bus system over the coming years. A review from an outside consulting group, presented to the Milwaukee School Board in June, found some inefficiencies in the district's transportation services, including late buses, underused routes and shorter walk‑to‑stop distances than in most large districts. Shell Lake School Board still finalizing next year's budget SHELL LAKE — Shell Lake School District Supt. Todd Felhofer gave a brief update on the 2026-27 budget at the School Board meeting Monday, June 15. At the last meeting, Felhofer said a budget surplus is expected due to the operational referendum passed in April, which was to exceed the state revenue limit by $650,000 annually over four years, non-recurring, to help with operational expenses, and the budget was looking good. Milwaukee Public Schools approves employee wage increase MILWAUKEE — After months of negotiations, Milwaukee Public Schools and the Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association have reached an agreement over pay raises. The Milwaukee Board of School Directors approved a permanent base wage increase of 2.63% for union-represented employees in a 5-0 vote on June 25. The cost-of-living adjustment, which matches the rate of inflation, was approved by the school board in April when negotiations remained at an impasse. Germantown School Board begins superintendent search, hires new Rockfield principal The Germantown School Board finalized the district leadership structure for the next school year at its June 23 meeting while also starting the process of seeking a new superintendent and filling a vacant principal position at Rockfield Elementary School. CF school district reviews enrollment data showing more steep declines CHIPPEWA FALLS — Enrollment in the Chippewa Falls School District is anticipated to take a sharp decline again this fall, with 165 fewer students this fall compared to a year ago. According to a report shared with the Chippewa Falls School Board on Tuesday, enrollment this fall — including in the pre-school programs — is 4,239. Last September, enrollment was 4,404. In September 2024, enrollment was 4,590. In September 2023, it was 4,626. MTEA, MPS settle months-long dispute over cost-of-living pay raises The Milwaukee Teachers Education Association and Milwaukee Public Schools reached an agreement June 25 on cost-of-living wage increases for union-represented employees, ending months of tense negotiations over the timing of raises. The agreement includes a phased 2.63% cost-of-living adjustment that the school board approved this spring, matching the rate of inflation and the maximum amount the union can bargain for under state law. Under the plan, Milwaukee Public Schools employees represented by the union will receive a 1.5% raise beginning July 1 and another 1.13% increase in January. Next year's budget also extends the same phased raises to all MPS staff. Sparta Area School District faces $7M deficit, turns to community survey for guidance SPARTA, Wis. (WXOW) – The Sparta Area School District is asking the community to help shape its future after a failed operating referendum on April 7 left the district facing a budget shortfall of millions of dollars. District leaders are developing a community-wide survey to gather feedback from residents, expected to be mailed to every household in the district this fall whether or not the household has children attending school. Webster Elementary School students will continue to be screened for behavioral health needs after the school district secured its ninth consecutive grant from Marshfield Clinic's b.e.s.t. Universal Screening program. Webster is one of 60 school districts and organizations across Wisconsin to receive Marshfield Clinic behavioral health grants this year. Committee not taking action on Appleton school district’s truancy ordinance for now APPLETON, Wis. (WBAY) - The city of Appleton’s Safety and Licensing Committee voted to take no action on its truancy ordinance Wednesday night. Back in November, the city council approved a trial period for the ordinance through the end of the 2025-26 school year. The Appleton Area School District was expected to present its attendance data to the committee. Antigo school leaders reach pool resolution amendment ANTIGO — After much discussion, a resolution was reached by the Antigo School Board Monday night regarding the pool, but with strict timelines. The original resolution read: “Whereas, the district operates the Clara R. McKenna Aquatics Center (the “pool”) as a community program under Fund 80; and whereas, the pool has, at least for the 2025-2026 school year, operated at a deficit; and whereas, the board desires to advise its administration and community of its decision with respect to continued operations of the pool. NOVA Academy: RUSD’s New AI-Driven Middle School Program RACINE, Wis. — The Racine Unified School District is pioneering a new era of education with NOVA Academy, an innovative alternative learning program that leverages artificial intelligence to provide a truly personalized academic experience for every student. The program is tailored to 7th and 8th-grade students at the district’s STEAM-focused school.
|