Wisconsin Education NewsMay 20, 2026A daily update of education news and events that are taking place around Wisconsin. La Crosse officials discuss new indoor pool proposal at north side community meeting LA CROSSE (WKBT) -- City and school officials gathered with residents at Logan Middle School to discuss a proposal for a new indoor swimming facility that would serve both students and the broader north side community year-round. New national program mentors students of color in Madison and Verona The forthright conversation on the pressures students face in school isn’t the typical kind of course material for most classes, Morin and Broadwater acknowledge. But in this class on Madison’s east side, frank discussions happen every week by design. The class is part of Improve Your Tomorrow, a program started in the Madison school district this school year. 'An investment in the future': Madison school district approves paid parental leave policy MADISON — Madison Metropolitan School District employees will soon receive paid parental leave after the school board unanimously approved a comprehensive new policy Monday night. The policy provides 12 weeks of paid parental leave for employees welcoming a child through birth or adoption. District leaders believe Madison is the first Wisconsin school district to offer such benefits. Water Safety Taskforce of Northern Rock County aims to educate JANESVILLE — The Water Safety Taskforce of Northern Rock County is launching a school-based water safety education program to teach students about safety in and around water. The task force is made up of representatives from the City of Janesville, Janesville Fire Department, Janesville School District, Rock County Public Health Department, Streamline Swim Academy, Rock County Sheriff’s Office and the YMCA of Northern Rock County. Central Fire & EMS District Participates in Mock Accident at Colby Senior High School Central Fire & EMS District recently participated in a mock accident scenario with the Colby Senior High class designed to show the very real consequences of driving under the influence. Students witnessed a powerful, real-life simulation from the initial crash response involving first responders, to law enforcement making an arrest, the involvement of a funeral home, and the heartbreaking moment of notifying a family that their loved one is no longer here. Royall names field for coach Joe Vitcenda ELROY, Wis. (WKBT) -- Doing the same job for 58 years might sound exhausting. For Joe Vitcenda, it has been a joy. Earlier this week, the Royall School District honored the Hall of Fame coach by dedicating the baseball field in his name, ensuring his legacy will remain a permanent part of the program he has built over nearly six decades. For 58 seasons, Vitcenda has poured his energy into Royall baseball, even as the years have taken a physical toll. Raymond School District ends April 2026 in strong financial position as year-end approaches Raymond School District is heading into the final weeks of the 2025-26 school year with a stable financial footing, according to figures presented to the board of education at its May 18 regular meeting. Business Manager Jeff Genovese reported the district’s combined cash position that includes checking, money market, and investment accounts stood at approximately $1.08 million at the end of April, compared to $383,242 at the same point last year. Poynette Schools end free breakfast following federal cuts The Poynette School District is reworking their food services in response to federal changes, including an inverted food pyramid and reduced support from the USDA. In the Poynette School Board’s May 18 meeting, Food Service Director Paula Larrabee explained how changes in national policy over the past year have reached food service workers in the school kitchens. The first significant change, she explained, came with the unveiling of new federal nutritional guidance with a new “food pyramid” announced earlier this year. Board approves human growth, development curriculum opt-out WATERTOWN — Parents will have the opportunity to opt their fourth- and fifth-grade children out of Human Growth and Development education, a decision made by Watertown Unified School District Board members, who approved the curriculum unanimously on Monday. Raymond 3rd graders deliver history lessons through ‘wax museum’ figures come to life Raymond School‘s third graders brought history and a few surprises to life Monday night at the school board meeting, presenting their annual wax museum projects before the full board. The 39 students each researched and read a biography, took notes, wrote a report, and distilled it all into a wax museum presentation, a tradition that teachers Miss Coop and Miss Fueling were proud to continue. Rockfield Elementary School principal resigns, accepts position in Grafton district Dana Croatt, principal at Rockfield Elementary School in the Germantown School District, has submitted her resignation from the the post after accepting a position to be principal at an elementary school in the Grafton School District. Croatt has served as principal at Rockfield Elementary School for 11 years. The Germantown School Board will take action on the matter at its May 19 meeting. Croatt issued a personal letter to Rockfield Elementary families that was posted on the School Facebook page on May 18. Milwaukee sixth graders celebrate financial literacy graduation at Alexander Mitchell Elementary MILWAUKEE — Sixth-grade students from Milwaukee’s South Side were honored Tuesday as they graduated from a six-week financial literacy program at Alexander Mitchell Elementary School. The initiative is designed to introduce students to essential money management skills early in life, including budgeting, saving, credit, entrepreneurship, and risk management. Ramon E. "Ray" Parks 1936-2026 Ramon E. “Ray” Parks, 90, of Rib Lake, passed away Thursday, May 7, 2026, at his home surrounded by family and while under the care of Hope Hospice. Ray was born March 18, 1936, in Marion, to Reynold and Evelyn (Wimme) Parks. He graduated from Marion High School in 1954, where he was active in band, choir and drama, and he played baseball, basketball and ran track, and was a member of the National Honor Society. He was also on the Marion City basketball and baseball teams. Milwaukee Public Schools tackles $46 million deficit with proposed $1.6 billion budget MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Public Schools is working to address a $46 million deficit with a proposed $1.6 billion budget for the next fiscal year addressed by a board committee on Tuesday. Superintendent Brenda Cassellius has made sweeping changes to manage the district’s financial challenges, which include increasing inflation, stagnant state aid and declining enrollment.
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