Wisconsin Education NewsApril 29, 2026A daily update of education news and events that are taking place around Wisconsin. Summary of 2025-26 Laws Affecting K-12 Education The 2025-26 legislative sessions have concluded, and 247 bills were signed into law by Gov. Tony Evers. The DPI has prepared a summary of enacted legislation that impacts K-12 education, organized by topic area and including links to the full act text and Legislative Council memos for each bill. The summary includes new laws related to educator licensure and development, grants and scholarship programs, school district administration and operations, transportation, instruction, and student health and wellness. It also includes a list of education-related bills vetoed during the session. This resource is intended to help school and district leaders quickly identify and review changes in state law that may impact local policy and practice. The full summary is available on the DPI’s website. For questions and additional information, please contact [email protected]. Manitowoc School Board delays vote on selling Madison Elementary MANITOWOC, Wis. (WBAY) - The Manitowoc School Board passed on a final decision on selling Madison Elementary School to the city for $1. At its meeting Tuesday night, the board sent the proposal to the district’s Facilities & Finance Committee to review. MPS staff to get phased inflationary raises despite union objections Milwaukee Public Schools teachers and other staff will receive cost‑of‑living raises next school year under a plan the Milwaukee School Board approved April 28, but not on the timeline the teachers union had pushed. Following about two and a half hours in closed session, the board voted 7-1 to implement a 1.5% wage increase for staff starting in July and another 1.13% increase in January. Board member Mimi Reza voted against the plan, while Katherine Vannoy recused herself. Pulaski school district surveys neighbors on a potential referendum PULASKI (NBC 26) — The Pulaski Community School District is surveying residents to gauge their interest in a potential referendum that could fund upgrades to the failing community pool. Letters mailed to neighbors ask them to weigh in on potential improvements to the school district’s facilities, like the expansion of career and technical opportunities at the high school and the addition of six classrooms at an elementary school. Portage schools partner with FFA alumni to transform old farm PORTAGE, Wis. (WKOW) — The Portage Community School District is partnering with the Portage FFA Alumni Association to develop a farm field on the old Schulz Farm property next to Culver's. The FFA Alumni group plans to plant corn in the field and host a fall festival on the property. Zack Krebs, a custom farmer from Rio, will handle tillage, planting and harvesting, while United Cooperative out of Westfield will complete spraying services. Madison students compete in Spanish reading challenge MADISON (WKOW) — Students from nine elementary schools and eight middle schools across the Madison Metropolitan School District competed in the district's fourth annual Copa de Libros. The voluntary, student-led Spanish-language reading competition is part of MMSD's Mad for Reading initiative. It challenges participants in comprehension, study skills and teamwork. MMSD renames Cesar Chavez Elementary amid sexual abuse allegations from NY Times article MADISON (WKOW) -- Cesar Chavez Elementary School will have a new name after Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education voted unanimously to change it amid sexual abuse allegations against Chavez. Portage Community School Board votes to close elementary schools PORTAGE, Wis. -- Portage Community School Board voted to close two rural elementary schools during its special board meeting on Monday. Green Bay school staff will get a pay bump next year GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) - Green Bay school staff will get a pay bump next year, even as the district braces for a tight budget and a likely referendum fight. The school board approved a 2.63 percent base wage increase for teachers, support staff, trades, managers and administrators starting July 1. The increase is the maximum allowed by state law. Waunakee's 4K open enrollment applications 'historically low' for now So far, 2026-27 open enrollment for 4-year-old kindergarten in the Waunakee School District is “historically low,” according to Executive Director of Operations Steve Summers. As of April 9, the district had received a total of 22 applications. That’s less than normal. Menasha Superintendent announces he’s stepping down MENASHA, Wis. (WBAY) - Menasha Joint School District Superintendent Matthew Zimmerman announced he will step down at the end of the school year after accepting a districtwide administrative position with the Appleton Area School District. In a letter dated Tuesday, Zimmerman said he informed the school board of his resignation during Monday night’s Board of Education meeting. His resignation is effective June 30, 2026. Teachers in Milwaukee, Madison Plan Pro-Immigrant Demonstration Friday Students in the Madison Metropolitan School District won’t have school on Friday after more than half of the teachers said they would miss work that day to demonstrate in support of immigrants. Madison Teachers Inc., the union that represents teachers and staff, said 70 percent of members said they would participate in “A Day without Immigrants.” The event is part of the national May Day Strong day of action. Ashwaubenon High School raises money for new band uniforms ASHWAUBENON, Wis. (WBAY) - Ashwaubenon High School’s band program is getting new uniforms after community partners helped raise funds for the purchase. Band leaders said donations from Jaguar Backers, the Ashwaubenon School District Office, Activities Director Mr. Senger and Principal Mr. Ribbens will cover 30 new uniforms—an investment totaling $22,308. Shawano School Board faces $1.6M budget gap, considers cuts SHAWANO, Wis. (WFRV) – The Shawano School Board is considering making cuts to staff and programs in order to close an estimated budget gap of $1.6 million. Teachers and students throughout the district are pushing back at the idea of cuts as they say they are worried about the possible larger class sizes and potentially having to lose programs like music and other electives. Youth apprenticeship enrollment in Wisconsin once again hits record high Wisconsin’s youth apprenticeship program for high school students continues to grow, marking its fifth consecutive year of record-breaking enrollment. The number of students enrolled in the program during the 2025-26 school year totaled 12,141, a 7% increase from the prior year. In addition, the program partnered with a record 8,105 employers, according to an announcement from Gov. Tony Evers and the Department of Workforce Development. 4th graders at Northside Elementary craft their own book LA CROSSE, Wis. (WEAU) - Through a new project called “Young Authors: Publishing Their Voices,” every 4th grader at Northside Elementary in La Crosse created a printed and published book. Each student wrote and illustrated their own page with stories centered around animals. Each story is then put together into a book that students are taking home to show their families. Trump Administration Wants Wisconsin to Return $20M in COVID-19 Funds The Trump administration wants the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction to return more than $20 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds provided to private schools during the pandemic. A September 2025 audit report by the federal Office of Inspector General found Wisconsin “improperly approved” funds from the Emergency Assistance to Nonpublic Schools (EANS) program for 184 nonpublic schools. Principal credits personable approach to his success in La Crosse LA CROSSE (WKBT) — When most school administrators walk the halls, students typically straighten up and quiet down. But Quartell Roberson, known simply as "Q" to students and staff, creates a different atmosphere entirely at La Crosse Polytechnic School. "He's really funny. Yesterday, he was giving out cookies," said student Alivia, describing the principal who has made building relationships his priority. Which MPS schools, grades have to make up class on April 30? More than 60 schools in Milwaukee Public Schools will have a makeup attendance day April 30, while others will have no classes that day. MPS spokesperson Stephen Davis said the makeup day is due to a snow-related closure this March. The only high school with classes April 30 is Milwaukee High School of the Arts, which canceled school April 14 due to a power outage. Rep. Sheehan Makes a Stop at Sheboygan South High School A local State Assemblyman recently took some time to help out future educators. 26th District Assemblyman Joe Sheehan of Sheboygan was recently at Sheboygan South High School, where he spoke to students in an educational psychology class. Mock Crash Held At Bloomer High School A Mock Crash featuring students involved in a car crash on prom night was held at the Bloomer High School on Thursday, April 23, to illustrate the dangers of drinking and driving. The event is a collaboration of Mayo Clinic and many community members.
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