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DPI Report Card shows strong student growth in Spooner
SPOONER — The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) Report Card has shown strong growth in the Spooner Area School District this year. Supt. Dr. Marggie Banker presented the DPI results at the School Board’s Committee of the Whole meeting Monday, Dec. 1. She said she has seen strong results in the middle school in the demographics from the last six years, and the district has also improved in growth with students with disabilities. ELA has stronger-than-average results, and the district will be continuing to look at math growth, she said.
Rural resilience runs deep but crisis looms for Wisconsin schools
Wisconsin educators are shedding light on the unique dilemma rural school districts face as they work to meet a large portion of the state’s student needs despite significant funding and resource uncertainty. The state recently announced significant funding cuts for more than 300 school districts across the state, many of which are rural. Jeff Eide, executive director of the Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance, said more cuts only exacerbate ongoing staffing issues, federal funding uncertainty and dwindling resources. He pointed out reduced funding and resources are forcing districts to make difficult choices.
Green Bay tax bills will look different this year. What the new vouchers line means
If you live in Green Bay, you may notice a new line on your tax bill this year. After months of back and forth earlier this year, the Green Bay City Council in April narrowly passed a resolution to add a line to its city property tax bill. Now, City of Green Bay tax bills will detail the dollar amount that the Green Bay School District sends to private schools for city students in a parental choice program. This year, that’s $9.97 million. The total amount the district sends to private schools for students in Green Bay, Allouez, Bellevue and other municipalities is $14.1 million.
New area educational fund receives $10,000 donation
The newly established Stoughton Exceptional Experiences Education Fund recently received a $10,000 donation from the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin. The fund is designed to increase Stoughton 4k-12 student access for exceptional experiences inside and outside of the classroom, which extend beyond the normal reach and scope of the Stoughton Area School District’s (SASD) resources.
Janesville School Board voices concerns about moving westside fire station
JANESVILLE — The Janesville Fire Department presented a vision Tuesday night for relocating its Fire Station No. 3 to a larger site on School District of Janesville property, adjacent to Franklin Middle School and Madison Elementary School. The presentation to the Janesville School Board was led by Fire Chief Ryan Murphy and City Engineer Brad Reents, and facilitated by Superintendent Mark Holzman. It was for informational purposes only, with the school board not asked to make any decisions.
Oshkosh community responds to OASD’s recommended staff cuts
OSHKOSH, Wis. (WBAY) - People in Oshkosh are speaking out against a plan by the school district to cut several dozen positions. The proposal is part of the district’s effort to balance their budget for the next school year, with them currently projecting a $6 million deficit. It was a large showing from the Oshkosh community at Wednesday’s school board meeting. Dozens of parents, students, teachers, and community members spoke out against the district’s recommended budget reduction methods, including a high school choir group who shared their talents and concerns with the board.
MMSD students fill the Kohl Center for Education Day
MADISON (WKOW) -- The Wisconsin Women's Basketball Team held its annual Education Day Wednesday. The game is a partnership between the Madison Metropolitan School District and the Wisconsin Badgers. Hundreds of MMSD students were at the Kohl Center, during the school day to watch the game against San Diego.
Milwaukee Public Schools sued; staffer accused of locking students in boiler room
MILWAUKEE - Several parents are now suing Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS). They claim a former paraprofessional locked their students inside a boiler room as punishment. The lawsuit says students referred to the boiler room as the "Dungeon."
Merrill Area School District explains why people are seeing higher property taxes
MERRILL, Wis. (WSAW) - Property taxes in Merrill have increased after the Merrill Area School District lost $2.2 million in state funding in Wisconsin’s most recent budget. People may see their property tax increases range from 18-35%. For some people, that could mean $200 to $700 more and not because the district is spending more. The district normally receives two-thirds of its funding from state aid and one-third from local property taxes. The amount of state funding depends on factors like enrollment numbers.
Board approves changes the school volunteer policy Seneca Area School District
The December 8, 2025 meeting of the Seneca School Board lasted 15 minutes. It was long enough to approve changes to School Volunteer Policy at a second reading. The new policy would employ a more stringent screening process for volunteers coming into the school. Board member Adam Green moved to approve the changes and Charles Clark seconded the motion. It appeared the voice vote in favor of the changes to volunteer policy was unanimous.
School District leaps into the holiday spirit North Crawford
The North Crawford School District is leaping into the merry whirl of holiday happenings, offering several community events prior to their winter break from December 22 to January 2. Those events include a special lineup of holiday concerts, their ‘Northpole Breakfast with Santa and his Elves,’ and their holiday cookies fundraiser to supply the lunch program with local beef.
Oshkosh teachers union calls school district to reconsider proposed staff cuts
OSHKOSH, Wis. (WBAY) - Teachers in the Oshkosh Area School District are urging the Board of Education to reconsider proposed staff cuts, saying the school district has “rushed” the process. In an effort to reduce its budget by $6 million, the Oshkosh Area School District is proposing to eliminate almost 70 full-time positions in classrooms and the central office. The Oshkosh Education Association, the union for Oshkosh teachers, sent out a statement on Wednesday, asking that the school district be open to other solutions to save funds.
New law requires Wisconsin schools to notify parents of reported sexual offenses
Wisconsin schools are now required to contact a student’s parent or guardian if they are a victim or target of a sexual offense while at school. Gov. Tony Evers signed the new requirement into law this week. The Republican-authored measure also requires public, private and charter schools to give parents access to records regarding school employee discipline.
Superintendent pushes for Open Records Law changes: ‘You know transparency is a good thing, but at what cost?’
After the school district spent more than $74,000 in legal fees on records requests, St. Croix Central Superintendent Tim Widiker said he would like to change the state’s Open Records Law. Widiker’s remarks were part of a Dec. 10, 2025 story that appeared in The Baldwin Bulletin. According to the story:
7 ways Wisconsin could address educator misconduct like other states
After the Cap Times revealed the state Department of Public Instruction had investigated more than 200 educators from 2018 through 2023 following allegations of sexual misconduct or grooming, public officials proposed new legislation, pledged greater transparency and ordered a wide-ranging audit. Yet, Wisconsin’s laws and the Department of Public Instruction’s policies to prevent educator misconduct continue to fall short of efforts by other states and what advocates say are best practices.
Grappling with Greatness: Mauston High wrestler earns full ride to Notre Dame
MAUSTON, Wis. — If you think you or your kids were busy in high school, Espen Pitts might have you beat -- juggling dozens of extracurriculars and high honors to get a full ride to the University of Notre Dame. "Wrestling is everything, dude," Espen Pitts said, on the mat of Mauston Wrestling Club. For Pitts, that’s true on and off the mat -- he approaches life like a dual.
Holmen students open holiday store to help mom battling cancer
HOLMEN, Wis. (WKBT) — Students at Holmen High School opened Avalanche Avenue, a holiday store that helps a local family while teaching business skills. The store is part of an entrepreneurship class where students handle everything from business operations to customer service and merchandising. This year, all proceeds go to Whitney Coloumbe, a Holmen mother of two who is battling cancer.
Madison students explore coding in after-school program at Randall Elementary
MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - As Computer Science Education Week gets underway across the U.S., students at Randall Elementary are learning the foundations of coding through an after-school program run by volunteers from UW–Madison. The school hosts a weekly “Scratch Club,” where fourth and fifth graders use beginner-friendly coding tools to build simple games and animations. The club is led by Randall volunteer coordinator Lisa Grueneberg, who has run the program for eight years.
State Democrats reintroduce 'Save Our Schools' Act
MADISON, Wis. — Democrats in the State Legislature are reintroducing a bill to provide more funding for public schools. Nearly two years ago, State Rep. Robyn Vining, D-Wauwatosa, introduced the ‘Save Our Schools’ Act. It never made it to Gov. Evers’ desk, so Vining is bringing it back to fulfill an obligation she said lawmakers have to support public schools.
ATC partnering with Maple Avenue Elementary to ignite STEM futures outdoors
Maple Avenue Elementary School in Sussex is getting a dynamic new outdoor classroom in spring 2026. This innovative space – the latest ATC initiative shaping the future of STEM education – will give students hands-on opportunities to explore science, technology, engineering and math in nature. Unlike traditional classrooms, the area will encourage young minds to tackle real-world challenges, experiment with equipment, and spark their curiosity under the open sky.
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