Wisconsin Education NewsMay 8, 2026A daily update of education news and events that are taking place around Wisconsin. Milwaukee Public Schools budget meeting, emotions run high Thursday What they're saying: Parents and educators sounded off on Milwaukee Public Schools superintendent Brenda Cassellius' $1.6 billion spending plan, which was released earlier this week. Wisconsin universities and schools impacted by Canvas data breach WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW/GRAY NEWS) - A ransomware group has claimed to have breached the learning management system Canvas, possibly exposing the personal information of students, teachers and staff across the country. According to a statement from the Universities of Wisconsin website, they were notified of a nationwide security breach experienced by Instructure, the provider of Canvas. Universities of Wisconsin schools use the cloud-based management system. MMSD increases full-day 4K options and expands pilot of five-day programming for 2026-27 school year MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - The Madison Metropolitan School District announced on Thursday it will expand its tuition-free four-year-old kindergarten (4K) programming for the 2026-27 school year. The expansion includes adding a new full-day and five-day options at several schools and community-based sites. Wausau Schools recognized during Teachers Appreciation Week WAUSAU, Wis. (WAOW) - This week is Teacher Appreciation week, and the non-profit group Institute for Reforming Government (IRG) is applauding Wausau schools. IRG is a non-profit dedicated to making the government better, ensuring kids have good schools to attend. They awarded Newman Catholic, Thomas Jefferson Elementary, and the Wausau School District for how their students are performing. Rosholt teacher wins Packers 'Fan Favorite' contest with help from determined students ROSHOLT, Wis. (WAOW) — MaKynna Lesinski, a physical education and health teacher from the Rosholt School District won the Packers "Fan Favorite" contest, which invited fans to submit a photo for a chance to have it displayed around Lambeau Field. MaKynna submitted a photo of her and her sister Jensynn Strigel at Titletown before a Packers game in November 2024. MaKynna was a finalist for the same contest last year, so when it came to submitting again, she didn't think much of it. Teacher shortage: Why fewer college graduates are going into education RACINE, WI — A shortage of teachers is hitting classrooms across Wisconsin, and in Racine Unified (RUSD), the impact is showing up in current educators’ and students’ daily classroom experiences. Scott Coey, a member of the RUSD school board with a ten-year history as a geography and sociology teacher at Bradford High School in Kenosha, has seen the decline firsthand. In those ten years, he said, the decline of benefits packages contributes to the decline of qualified instructors. Southern Door schools to cut teachers, sports after referendum fails BRUSSELS (WLUK) -- After voters turned down a referendum last month, the Southern Door County School District says it will have to make cuts. 56% of voters said "no" to a three-year operational referendum worth $3 million per year. DPI’s ruling on Menomonee Falls Schools’ book ban does little, but 2024 complaint ignited change In 2024, parents in Menomonee Falls filed a complaint with the state alleging the school district’s removal of a children’s book depicting same-sex families was discriminatory. Now two years later, the Department of Public Instruction says it has “limited authority” to assess whether the School District of Menomonee Falls violated its local policies or the law. Milton School District announces selection for new principal MILTON, Wis. (WMTV) - The School District of Milton has announced their pick for the principal position at Milton High School. The district announced on Thursday that Keith Nerby has been offered the position. Nerby is expected to join the district this summer, pending approval from the Milton Board of Education’s meeting on Monday, May 11. ‘Walk, Bike & Roll to School’ in Cambridge CAMBRIDGE – Kids, parents, and some school district staff braved chilly but sunny weather for “Walk, Bike & Roll to School” on May 7. Some met and rode together from the Cambridge High School parking lot, others joined at West Side Park, and still others took their own route to Cambridge Elementary School on bikes, by foot, and even on some scooters. Sun Prairie Education Foundation helps establish statewide Education Foundation Day The Sun Prairie Education Foundation (SPEF) has announced the first-ever “Education Foundation Day,” which will be officially recognized as May 13, 2027. A press conference about this topic will be held May 13 at 9 a.m. at the Prairie Phoenix Academy in the SRC (Student Resource Center) in Sun Prairie. Proposed MPS budget adds more than 200 jobs but also cuts assistant principals MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) Superintendent Brenda Cassellius is proposing a significant staffing overhaul in her 2026-27 budget. The plan calls for hiring hundreds of new teachers and classroom assistants while offsetting those costs by cutting more than 100 administrative positions. Cassellius' 2026-27 budget reduces spending by about $26 million, an approximately 1.6% cut that keeps the district's overall spending at around $1.6 billion. Thousands of students attend Career Venture in Eau Claire to learn about career paths EAU CLAIRE (WQOW) - Thousands of area middle and high school students packed the Eau Claire YMCA on Thursday to get hands-on experience and information about different careers. About 2,400 students from different districts attended the Career Venture fair. Hosted by the Western Wisconsin Workforce Development Board, the event provides students an opportunity to learn about different jobs. Sauk Prairie High School counselor surprised as Wisconsin Teacher of the Year PRAIRIE DU SAC, Wis. (WKOW) — A Sauk Prairie High School counselor is one of Wisconsin's 2026-27 Teachers of the Year. Tonya Lassanske was surprised with the honor during an assembly Thursday. Lassanske has worked at the school for 29 years as a counselor, registrar and student services lead. Proposed MPS staggered cost of living adjustment faces backlash MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Thursday night, the superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools delivered the budget proposal to the Board of Education, however, it comes with a steep budget deficit, hundreds of position cuts and a contentious labor negotiation. MPS's budget mismanagement started years ago under a different regime that will take years to dig out of. Prevail Bank Supports Baraboo High School Interact Club With $1,000 Donation Baraboo High School’s Interact Club received $1,000 from Prevail Bank in support of its Food for Kidz program. The program packs meals for children and families in need; 95,000 meals were packaged this year.
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