Wisconsin Education News

September 15, 2026

A daily update of education news and events that are taking place around Wisconsin. 

2026 Elementary Principals’ Convention
Register for the Elementary Principal's Convention at the beautiful Grand Geneva Resort & Spa from October 7-9, 2026. Learn and network with state and national thought leaders, including your colleagues from around the state.  In addition, there will be an optional dinner on Thursday night for members to celebrate Joe Schroeder’s career in education as he announced his plans to retire at the end of the 2026-27 school year. 

Increasing Literacy Outcomes for Struggling MS/HS Readers
This workshop will walk participants through the research and theory, and provide realtime practice with the strategies used to support students in grade-level text. This learning complements WI Act 20 literacy initiatives and will inform your team on how this can be implemented at the secondary level. Our facilitator is a current WI educator and a National Consultant.  Workshop is October 22-23, 2026 at the School Leadership Center in Madison.

Rhinelander School District opens sign-ups for fall community education classes
Sign-up is open for the Rhinelander School District’s community education program, with classes running now through December.

Sun Prairie schools’ new leader wants to turn the page after scandal
Since Reed started the district’s top administrative job in July, he said he’s been focused on talking with principals, staff and students about how to make the classroom environment energetic, educational and fun.

Legislation proposes screen-free Wisconsin classrooms until 3rd grade
Last fall, Wisconsin became the 36th state to limit cell phones in schools with bipartisan support. Now, a Republican lawmaker plans to introduce legislation that would create screen-free classrooms through second grade.

New MPS community committee holds first meeting toward eventual school closures
Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) community members met Monday night, Sept. 14, to take the first steps toward the eventual closure of school buildings.

DCE School District wants parents to weigh in on consolidation plan
The D.C. Everest School District is asking school families to weigh in on a consolidation proposal that would see the Junior High building mostly decommissioned.

Rib Lake School District unveils track for athletes and the community
The district completed a $19.5 million referendum to enhance the school and revamp the gymnasium. But for the track, the district was able to dip into its regular budget and get a huge assist from the community.

Kiel Area School District Unveils Raider University – A Community Learning Initiative
The Kiel Area School District is inviting the public to learn more about the district and its inner workings through a series of meetings.

Wolf River Community Bank: Local partnership provides 88 backpack kits to Hortonville Area School District students ahead of new school year
As students across the Hortonville Area School District headed back to school, Wolf River Community Bank and a Fox Valley healthcare organization helped ensure local students started the year with the resources they needed by donating 88 backpacks filled with grade-specific school supplies for students from 4K through high school.

‘It’s a double whammy’: Lodi school leaders raise concerns over proposed transmission line
A proposed high-voltage transmission line could bring towers as tall as 175 feet through parts of Wisconsin’s Driftless Region, including a potential route through the Lodi school forest.

Madison nonprofit uses mentorship to boost student success
A Madison nonprofit is helping students succeed in the classroom by creating opportunities for older students to mentor younger learners.

Everwood Farmstead Foundation awards $10K in grants to school arts educators
A press release from Everwood Farmstead Foundation says Everwood donates half of all pay-what-you-can ticket proceeds from its summer Artist Series performances directly to arts-focused teachers in the six counties surrounding Everwood (Dunn, St. Croix, Polk, Barron, Pierce and Pepin).

Birchwood School named $5K Fridays winner
Birchwood School in Washburn County was named a T-Mobile’s Friday Night 5G Lights $5K Fridays winner in week four — the midway point — of the company’s national program built around high school football and community pride. These funds are theirs to allocate how they see fit, whether it’s supporting their academics, athletes or the broader school community.