Wisconsin Education NewsApril 14, 2026A daily update of education news and events that are taking place around Wisconsin. Your Used Textbooks Have a New Chapter: Donate to Madison Rotary's 'Books for the World' The Madison Breakfast Rotary Club has collected and distributed used school library books and textbooks for over 20 years as the Wisconsin partner for Books for the World. Volunteers in Madison sort and prepare donated books for shipment—at no cost—to schools in countries where educational resources are scarce. A Chunk of Money ‘THIIIS Big’ for SDR’S Libraries Wisconsin Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski visited Crescent Elementary School Friday, April 10, and let its kindergarten students know the Rhinelander School District will receive $207,766 this year from the Common School Fund to spend on its libraries. Student Mental Health Referrals Jump 59% in Eau Claire Schools EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) - Student referrals for mental health support in the Eau Claire Area School District have jumped 59 percent, but new funding is making sure those kids do not fall through the cracks. By October of this school year, student referrals for mental health support had already surpassed the total for all of last year. Dems back school funding lawsuit, voucher parents seek to join defendants Democratic lawmakers in the Wisconsin Legislature are siding with the parents and school districts who are suing them over inadequate school funding. Meanwhile, a group of parents who use private school choice programs are asking to join the suit on the opposite side. Democrats on the state's Joint Finance Committee submitted an intervening filing on April 13, saying they agree with arguments from several school districts, teachers unions and parents who in February sued the state Legislature and its Joint Finance Committee in Eau Claire County Circuit Court. The groups allege the state doesn’t provide enough funding for schools to meet constitutional requirements. American Idol Contestant and Autism Advocate visits D.C. Everest Schools WESTON, Wis. (WAOW) - Students and staff at the D.C. Everest Junior High school got the chance to spend Monday with American Idol Contestant and Autism Advocate, Adin Boyer. During this visit 2 years ago, students fell in love with his story and musical journey. So much so, that the bond inspired him to write a song about his experience here, titled "Assurance". He wrote the song 10 years ago but revived it after his visit to D.C. Everest two years ago. Denmark School District staff raise concerns over data breach response DENMARK, Wis. (WBAY) - Several Denmark School District staff members are calling for transparency after an investigation into a potential data security incident back in January. Last month we reported about this potential breach after staff members told us their identities may have been compromised. Appleton Area School Board discusses changes to attendance policy APPLETON, Wis. (WBAY) - The Appleton Area School Board is discussing changes to its student attendance policy. District leaders said the update cleans up language and clarifies how schools handle absences and truancy. Under the proposed changes, families get a letter after three unexcused absences or seven excused absences. From there, schools work with students and families to improve attendance before any legal action. Sauk Prairie School Board meeting focuses on needed upgrades after failed referendums SAUK PRAIRIE, Wis. (WKOW) — The Sauk Prairie School Board held a meeting Monday for the first time since two referendums failed to address facility and safety needs. The school board discussed the two referendums asking for $68.4 million for the middle school and Grand Avenue Elementary, which haven't had upgrades in more than 30 years. After referendum fails, Fond du Lac School District begins discussions to close 2 schools FOND DU LAC (WLUK) -- The Fond du Lac School District will close at least two schools and cut 30 staff members after its $30 million referendum failed in last week's election. The district hasn't yet identified which schools will close. Superintendent Matt Steinbarth said it could be any of Fond du Lac's nine elementary schools, three middle schools or its STEM academy. Milwaukee Public Schools: 89 more teaching positions for new school year MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee Public Schools announced on Monday, April 13, that the district estimates it will have 89 more classroom teaching positions next school year. Superintendent Brenda Cassellius said it is part of a plan to manage and reduce class sizes while building a balanced 2026–27 budget. Cuts being considered after Sparta Area School District referendum fails SPARTA, Wis. (WEAU) - On Tuesday, April 7th, an operational referendum from the Sparta Area School District failed to pass by about 250 votes. The referendum would’ve been $1.8 million per year for the next 3 years, compared to the $750,000 annual referendum currently in place. Sparta Superintendent Sam Russ says the school board and administration will now have to see if they will be forced into cutting co-curricular opportunities. Groundbreaking ceremony at Sparta High School marks start of district-wide renovation project SPARTA, Wis. (WXOW) – A groundbreaking ceremony at Sparta High School on Monday, April 13, marked the start of a multi-year renovation project that will impact the entire school district. The work is funded by an $87 million facilities referendum approved in November 2024. The project will address structural challenges at the high school and include a new one-story addition with classrooms, special education areas and a library. School District of Rhinelander to repair Hodag Dome's indoor track and courts (WJFW)—What started as an overnight storm turned into thousands of dollars in damage inside the Hodag Dome. Over a year later, the School District of Rhinelander is tackling a new round of repairs. In March of 2025, a historic ice storm swept through the Northwoods, coating everything in ice and knocking out critical equipment like the Dome’s backup generator. Middleton teacher receives Heartland Chinese Teacher Award MIDDLETON, Wis. (WMTV) - A Middleton High School teacher received an award for Chinese language teaching. Qin Tian earned the 2026 Heartland Chinese Teacher Award from the U.S. Heartland China Association. MPS to add 150+ school staff as non-classroom layoffs continue Milwaukee Public Schools plans to add more than 150 teachers and paraprofessionals to its staff next school year, even as officials follow through with more than 200 layoffs to non-classroom roles. The district projects adding 89 licensed classroom teachers and 63 paraprofessionals, as well as five school psychologists supported by a newly acquired federal grant. MPS officials on April 13 announced the staffing changes, which will be included in its 2026-27 draft budget. The plan is estimated to cost $24.6 million, Superintendent Brenda Cassellius said. Kromrey Middle School students lead environmental change through recycling programs MIDDLETON, Wis. — Three years after earning recognition in the Time for Kids Earth Day Contest, students at Kromrey Middle School continue building on their environmental success through a student-led Green Team that has transformed sustainability from classroom lessons into daily action. In 2023, Kromrey became one of three schools in the area to earn a tree planted on campus in honor of their environmental efforts. That momentum continues through their Green Team, where students take ownership of environmental responsibility. Nature is the classroom at this central Wisconsin elementary school Once a week, first and second graders at Tower Rock Elementary School in Sauk County step into a classroom without walls. About 25 students, accompanied by three teachers, spend the day in their outdoor classroom tucked into nearby woods with a soaring sculpted bluff — called Tower Rock — in the school’s shadow. Students follow a science- and social studies-based curriculum on topics like insects and space, along with practical lessons like how to dress for the cold.
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