Wisconsin Education NewsMay 21, 2026A daily update of education news and events that are taking place around Wisconsin. New summer camp focuses on social-emotional learning A new summer camp is coming to Verona this June, offering elementary-age children in the Verona area a play-based program focused on community building, self-regulation, and learning through fun. Flow-Magination, founded by former Verona Area School District teacher Amanda Prathivadi, will run June 15 through August 14 at Glacier Edge Elementary, with one week off the week of July 27. The camp is open to students in kindergarten through fifth grade, and families can sign up on a week-by-week basis. There are both half- and full-day options available. The camp’s capacity is 50 students per week. House made by student build program hits the market MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - The South Central Wisconsin Builders Association celebrated the open house of the 2025-2026 student build program on Wednesday. Students in the Janesville School District were able to learn how to build a house and explore all the trades the program has to offer. Students connected with different tradesmen and instructors to learn different soft skills. City and school district leaders in La Crosse have finished a month-long series of public hearings on the plans for a new north-side swimming pool. They jointly hosted an in-person meeting at Logan Middle School on Tuesday, and an on-line discussion Wednesday. Jared Flick, deputy director of parks and recreation, says attendance at the north-side pool is going down sharply, compared to the city’s other public pools. Northeast Wisconsin school districts frustrated by loss of $600M after surplus deal fails GREEN BAY (WLUK) -- Northeast Wisconsin school districts are speaking out for the first time since a budget surplus deal failed last week in the state Senate. Districts across Wisconsin had been banking on receiving millions of dollars for special education reimbursements. Green Bay Area Public School District Superintendent Vicki Bayer is urging state lawmakers to restart talks. "My hope, minimally, would be that they get back to the table and at least bring special education as its own vote, separated from everything else, because again, there's bipartisan support for that," Bayer said. Verona schools celebrate, plan ahead The Verona Area School District Board of Education on Monday held end-of-year celebrations, while also looking ahead to the 2026-27 academic year. The meeting began with student and district staff recognitions, particularly honoring members of the Distributive Education Clubs of America for being named among the Top 10 Global Finalists. The Board also honored those who are in their final weeks with the district, sharing both kind words and a video honoring upcoming retirees. VASD reactions to state funding proposal Last week, Governor Evers and Wisconsin legislators announced a bipartisan proposal that invests in Wisconsin’s children and schools and provides property tax relief statewide. We are in full support of the public education funding portion of the proposal that is expected to come before lawmakers for a vote on May 13. Wisconsin’s students, families, and taxpayers benefit when leaders choose progress over partisanship, and this bipartisan proposal is an encouraging example of what can happen when elected officials work together for the common good. We are appreciative that Governor Evers and Republican legislative leaders came together to recognize the importance of investing in public education. SASD’s Recreation Department Offering New Child-Care Options The Sheboygan Area School District is launching a new on-site child care option for four-year-old kindergarten students at the Early Learning Center beginning with the upcoming school year. The programs will be offered at the Wilson Avenue facility through the Community Recreation Department in either full-day, or before/after school care. C.A.R.E. Day celebrates all abilities at Oshkosh West High School OSHKOSH, Wis. (WBAY) — The Oshkosh Area School District hosted its 10th annual C.A.R.E. Days on Wednesday at Oshkosh West High School, bringing together students of all abilities for a track meet and carnival designed to build friendships and promote inclusion. C.A.R.E. stands for Celebrating Abilities, Rallying Everyone. The district said the event drew more than 150 adapted physical education students in grades K-12 along with their “choice cheerleaders,” and more than 275 high school volunteers from Oshkosh North and Oshkosh West. Grafton board hires experienced leader to head school Dana Croatt will be the principal of Woodview Elementary School beginning July 1. Croatt’s appointment was approved by the School Board Monday. She will succeed Principal Jill Schwenzen, who is leaving the district to become assistant principal at Thomas Jefferson Middle School in Port Washington. “I’ve heard great things about Woodview,” Croatt told the board Monday. “All the administrators here have been wonderful. All the wonderful things in place here, I look forward to being a part of.” Mishicot Referendum Construction Continues With Future Performing Arts Center The School District of Mishicot is gearing up for a new project after completing upgrades to its baseball and softball fields. Funding for the field upgrades came from a $29 million referendum approved by voters in 2024. Superintendent Cory Erlandson explains to Seehafernews.com that improvements were made on the field, in the bleachers, and in the dugouts. Neillsville School Board Approves Items in Preparation for the Next School Year The Neillsville School Board saw a brief presentation to begin their meeting on Monday. Representative Karen Hurd presented a plaque to Coach Gaier and the girls’ basketball team in recognition of their 2026 WIAA Division 4 State Championship. During appearances, Jodi Erickson shared her busing concerns with the board. MONROE — The Monroe Excellence in Education (EIE) Fund, a component of the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin, Inc., last week announced its latest round of grant allocations, totaling $45,392.04 in support of the Monroe School District. This significant investment continues the Fund’s long-standing tradition of generosity, having provided nearly half a million dollars to local schools since its inception. ‘A Mother of A Revolution!’ composer conducts piece in Watertown Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church filled with sound, celebration and optimism Wednesday night when current and former Watertown band students and community members took the stage to play “A Mother of A evolution!” Composer Omar Thomas, who traveled to Wisconsin to be part of the event, stood before the musicians to conduct the instrumental composition that’s inspired controversy in the community. Thomas said he has spent the last decade “throwing pebbles” into a chasm he hopes will inspire people to tell their own stories. Three regional school districts obtain reading coaches The school districts of Rice Lake, New Auburn and Bloomer are among 50 public schools and four private schools that will have paid “literacy coaches” working with grade school students over the next two years, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction announced on April 29, 2026. The three regional districts qualified for funding through a competitive application process led by DPI. Rice Lake, New Auburn, Bloomer and other districts were selected for the funding based on early literacy needs, measured by third grade reading results on the Forward Exam. Wisconsin students await new ACT scores after scoring error MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - Wisconsin high school students are awaiting new ACT scores after a scoring error was made by the testing company. The issue is impacting students who took the nationwide test online during school in the spring. ACT reached out to testers last week about the miscalculations. North High School seniors walk halls and visit kids at Locust Lane before graduating EAU CLAIRE (WQOW) - Before they walk the stage to grab their diplomas, soon-to-be North High School graduates walked the halls of their elementary school where their education journey began. Locust Lane students greeted them in the hallway holding signs, clapping, and cheering them on. SDR superintendent issues statement on failed school funding bill A bipartisan proposal that would have delivered financial relief to Wisconsin public schools — including the School District of Rhinelander — died in the State Senate May 13, falling short on an 18-15 vote despite having cleared the State Assembly. School District of Rhinelander Superintendent Eric Burke said the district was disappointed by the outcome, calling the legislation an important step toward addressing mounting financial pressures facing public schools across the state. “The School District of Rhinelander is disappointed that the bipartisan tax relief and school funding proposal approved by the Wisconsin State Assembly did not pass in the State Senate,” Burke said.
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