Wisconsin Education NewsNovember 24, 2025A daily update of education news and events that are taking place around Wisconsin. McLane, Green Tree projects progress toward completions WEST BEND — The West Bend School District provided an update on construction projects at McLane, Green Tree and Jackson elementary schools, as well as Silverbrook Intermediate School, on Wednesday. The WBSD also announced that information on improvements to Badger Middle School and West Bend East and West high schools will be announced next week. The construction and improvement projects are part of the WBSD’s $106.25 million facilities referendum, which was approved in the 2024 fall election by district voters, with 18,470 “yes” votes to 13,657 “no” votes. Wheatland J1 School District to have referendum in April 2026 Voters in the Wheatland J1 School District will have a referendum on the April 2026 ballot, after action by the School Board this week. Gibraltar School District Gauges Voter Support for Employee Housing Initiative The Gibraltar School District is seeking community input on a new survey that asks whether voters would support exploring a referendum to fund affordable housing aimed at attracting and retaining staff. To take the survey – the deadline is Dec. 3 – call the district office at 920.868.3284 ext. 239 and ask for Evelyn Eckhardt. The lack of available, affordable rental units and homes in the area has been a serious hindrance to the district’s hiring efforts, according to Superintendent Brett Stousland. This past summer, the district was talking with a potential school psychologist and computer science teacher, and neither worked out because they could not find housing, Stousland said. Wisconsin schools still waiting for ‘lifeline’ federal funding More than a week after the end of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, Wisconsin school officials told WPR they’re still waiting for funds that one school official described as a “lifeline” for his district. Every year, more than 1,000 school districts nationwide receive direct financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education through a program called Impact Aid. Most school districts get the bulk of their funding from local property taxes. But some districts contain large portions of non-taxable federal land, including national forests and Native American reservations. Impact Aid was established in 1950 to help fund these districts. MPS and Carmen Are Breaking Up The relationship between Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) and Carmen Schools of Science and Technology effectively ended Thursday night. Carmen Northwest, a combined middle and high school, was given one more school year to find a new charter authorizer and a replacement for the building it currently leases from MPS. Estimating Failure Results in Special Education Aid Falling Short of Touted Record Level Initial special education reimbursement payments to school districts this year will be about 35% of their costs — about 7 percentage points below the estimated rate approved in the state budget. When the 2025-27 state budget was passed by the state Legislature and signed by Gov. Tony Evers in July, policymakers boasted that their investments would bring the special education reimbursement rate to a historic 42% in the first year of the budget and 45% in the second year. Student artists steal the show at Nov. 17 Raymond School Board meeting RAYMOND, WI — At the Nov. 17 Raymond School Board meeting, the spotlight was on creativity as Brooke Adamczyk’s student artists presented some of their projects. Adamczyk described the projects as focused on “identity and symbolism.” “We did a project about identity and how we can show who we are without drawing a picture of ourselves,” she said. “The kids used symbols, colors, and objects that represent their interests or personalities.” Wisconsin Republicans push to reverse 400-year school funding veto (The Center Square) – Gov. Tony Evers made an unprecedented move by changing characters on a bill to make a $325 per student annual school funding levy increase each year until 2425. Now, Republican lawmakers are pushing for him to take it back. First, it’s the Wisconsin Assembly’s turn. The Senate approved a bill that would limit that increase to one school year, as lawmakers intended with an 18-15 vote before Senate Bill 389 heads to the Assembly and will ultimately require Evers’ approval to become law. See top rated high schools in Waukesha County based on Wisconsin report card data Nearly all public school districts are meeting expectations on the latest state report cards, under new standards set by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction this summer. The latest Wisconsin state report cards using new standards set this summer showed 94% of 378 public school districts met, exceeded or significantly exceeded expectations for last school year. Janesville Parker High School hosts Lego League Regional inspiring young innovators JANESVILLE, Wis. (WKOW) — Janesville Parker High School hosted Lego League Regional on Saturday bring together 21 teams. The teams consist of elementary and middle school students from across southern Wisconsin to compete in robotics and innovation challenges. Event mentor Allison Conrad explained the competition's focus. See top rated high schools in Milwaukee County based on Wisconsin report card data Nearly all public school districts are meeting expectations on the latest state report cards, under new standards set by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction this summer. The latest Wisconsin state report cards using new standards set this summer showed 94% of 378 public school districts met, exceeded or significantly exceeded expectations for last school year. Area schools see improvement in state report cards MONROE — The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) released school report cards last week. While the state did change the grading since the 2023-24 school year, districts across Wisconsin had already seen a significant drop-off and slow recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic that took students, staff and administration through a choose-your-own-adventure journey into the void of the unknown. Virtual learning growing in Wisconsin, school leaders say Cecilia is one of about 13,500 students attending a virtual charter school in Wisconsin, according to the most recent data available. Enrollment hasn’t returned to its 2020-21 pandemic peak, when more than 16,000 students were enrolled, but demand for virtual learning remains. Last school year’s enrollment across the state's 58 virtual charter schools was 55% higher than in 2019-20. Milwaukee Public Schools opened Milwaukee Virtual School this school year, redesignating the district’s pandemic-era online program as its own charter school for kindergarten through 12th grade students. About 1,050 students, most of them high schoolers, attend the school, said Principal William Luedtke. River Falls School District ‘Exceeds Expectations’ The School District of River Falls received an ‘Exceeds Expectations’ school report card rating from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) for the 2024-25 school year. The annual school report card evaluates achievement, growth, and target group outcomes based on proficiency in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics on annual state assessments. The state report card also includes in its data attendance, graduation rates, and other educational milestones that are tied to long-term student success. Lincoln Academy expansion could double school's size BELOIT — The Lincoln Academy is planning an expansion that will almost double the size of the charter school building and possibly double its enrollment. Kristi Cole, chief education officer of The Lincoln Academy, said the addition the charter school is planning would add approximately 100,000 square feet to the existing school building, which is about 115,000 square feet. The school currently has an enrollment of about 730, which could grow to about 1,500 scholars after the expansion is complete, Cole said. Agency hired to find new superintendent MARINETTE — The Marinette School District has begun its search for a new superintendent, with the school board unanimously voting Tuesday to hire a local intermediate service agency to lead and assist with the search. SASD Looking to Rebuild Inside and Outside the Classroom As the Sheboygan Area School District (SASD) continues design plans for two of its middle schools, they are also looking to make changes inside the classroom as well. The planning and design phase to remodel and rebuild Farnsworth and Urban Middle Schools is nearing completion, but the district is also working hard to address the academic, developmental, and social needs of its students. Milwaukee principals reflect on leadership, seeing students thrive At Teach For America Milwaukee, more than 250 alumni continue to serve in classrooms and school communities across the region. Among them are four remarkable school leaders we’re spotlighting—each of whom now lead with the same belief in what’s possible for all kids that brought them to the classroom years ago. We are proud to partner with these leaders who are building school environments where teachers can grow, students can thrive, and families feel deeply connected. Their vision, commitment, and care are strengthening Milwaukee’s schools every day.
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