Wisconsin Education NewsApril 28, 2026A daily update of education news and events that are taking place around Wisconsin. Summer Institute in Ashland Aug 4-6, 2026 GSAFE and UW–Madison's Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis (ELPA) department are hosting a three-day summer institute for current and future district and school leaders, August 4–6, 2026, at the Ashland School District. Sessions run 9:00 am to 2:30 pm each day. Over the three days, participants will explore how to discuss gender and sexuality and build belonging, establish trust, and ask affirming questions in K–12 schools. Two amendments pass at WIAA annual meeting The member schools of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association passed two amendments to the constitution, bylaws and rules of eligibility and conducted other membership business at its 130th annual meeting Friday in Stevens Point. Both the amendments that were advanced and voted on by the membership received approval. The constitutional change removes language that required all rule and regulation changes to be approved by the advisory council before advancing to the board. City, school district hosting five public meetings on building indoor aquatics facility The La Crosse School District and the City are holding five public meetings over the next month to discuss a potential partnership for a new indoor aquatic center, as aging north-side pools reach breaking points. The proposal comes as the city has closed the North Side Community Pool near Logan Middle School this season. Repairs for that outdoor facility were estimated at nearly $1 million. Teachers in Madison, Milwaukee plan to demonstrate in support of immigrants 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. Portage Community School District votes to close 2 rural elementary schools PORTAGE, Wis. (WKOW) — The Portage School District voted to close Endeavor and Lewiston Elementary Schools and approved multiple staff reductions district-wide due to budget concerns for the 2026-2027 school year. This vote is a direct result of a recent failed referendum. District leaders say the money would have been used to maintain current class sizes and academic programs. Madison educators demand salary fixes amid compression issues MADISON, Wis. -- Monday, Madison educators rallied to demand that the school district resolve ongoing salary issues. Veteran staff members have reported a long-standing "salary compression" problem, which could lead to reduced pensions for those retiring without a fix. The president of Madison Teachers Inc. stated that under the current district pay evaluation, veteran teachers would earn more if they left the district and were subsequently rehired. DCE School Board outlines intial plans for classes to resume at Riverside Elementary RINGLE, Wis. (WSAW) - Riverside Elementary students will return to their school building next week after temporarily relocating to the Greenheck-Turner Community Center (GTCC) following a tornado. The district will share a resource sheet with families on Tuesday to help them navigate conversations about the visual changes in the neighborhood surrounding the school. The guidance will address the fact that while the school looks almost exactly as it did before, the surrounding neighborhood looks different. Appleton school board votes to update attendance policies APPLETON (WLUK) -- The school board for the Appleton Area School District voted Monday to update several attendance policies. The district decided to revise its attendance policy after noticing inconsistencies while reviewing the policies this school year. The review came while the district was changing its policy due to the truancy citations permitted by the Appleton Common Council. Appleton school district shares long-term financial outlook after successful referendum APPLETON (WLUK) -- Three weeks after voters overwhelmingly approved a four-year, $60 million referendum, the Appleton Area School District said it is in a positive financial position -- for now. "We're in a really good spot right now, because we've passed a referendum and we know what the state funding is going to be for next year," said AASD Superintendent Greg Hartjes. Next steps after Augusta School District referendum fails AUGUSTA, Wis. (WEAU) - The Augusta School District is rerouting their plans after a referendum on the spring ballot did not pass. The referendum would have raised $375,000 a year for the next two school years. The district had warned of a $630,000 budget shortfall next year and about $1.5 million over five years. Two Sun Prairie schools earn designation for supporting military children SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. — Two Sun Prairie schools were among the 17 that were named Wisconsin's first Purple Star Schools, recognizing their commitment to supporting military-connected students and families. This marks the inaugural year of the Purple Star School program, which officials said helps schools better support the unique educational and social-emotional needs of military-connected children. Madison West High School hosting inaugural student documentary festival MADISON, Wis. -- Madison West High School will host its inaugural student-produced documentary festival about local history on Wednesday. Students in four sections of U.S. History Honors at the Madison Metropolitan School District’s West High School will premiere 12 local history documentaries for “Our City, Our Voices,” as part of the school’s first-ever Youth Media project collaboration with PBS Wisconsin. Milwaukee Public schools: Statement Today, Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent Brenda Cassellius released the following statement in response to the Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association’s (MTEA) filing of a prohibited practice complaint against the district: MADISON — Seventeen schools have been named Wisconsin’s first Purple Star Schools, recognizing their significant commitment to supporting military-connected students and families. State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly announced the designations today during a Month of the Military Child celebration in Tomah. Take a look: Inside Washington Elementary School after severe floods close school JANESVILLE, Wis. (WKOW) — It was the first day back to school for students who go to Washington Elementary School in Janesville. Severe floods shut down the elementary school for the year, causing kids and teachers to continue their education at two different schools in the area for the remainder of the school year. Ruchti honored for 20 years of board service Fennimore Community School Board member Sheila Ruchti was honored for her 20 years of board member service at the board’s monthly meeting held on Wednesday, April 15. Fennimore District Administrator Jane Wonderling presented Ruchti with a plaque recognizing her time on the school board. The meeting was then briefly paused for a round of cupcakes in Ruchti’s honor. WIAA agrees to 8 year extension with UW La Crosse to host State Track & Field STEVENS POINT, Wis. (WKOW) — The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) has agreed to an eight year extension with the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse to host the State track and Field Championships. Miron Construction celebrates first dually enrolled apprentice NEW LONDON, Wis. (WBAY) - On Monday at Miron Construction Co., Inc. hosted a signing day celebrating one of its youth apprentices as he signs on to be a registered apprentice, becoming one of Miron’s first dually enrolled apprentices. Brice Guyette will signed on as a carpenter apprentice with the Carpenters Local 955, obtained through the Northern Midwest Regional Council of Carpenters. MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today, together with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD), kicked off “National Apprenticeship Week” in Wisconsin by celebrating that, for the fifth year in a row, Wisconsin’s Youth Apprenticeship program for high school students saw record-high enrollment. During the 2025-26 school year, a record 12,141 students enrolled in the program, a seven percent increase from the prior year. Gov. Evers recently traveled across the state, highlighting his administration’s efforts and successes over the past seven years to support the state’s workforce, including the state’s Registered and Youth Apprenticeship programs. Shiocton schools reopen April 27 after floodwaters recede After a week and a half of missed school due to flooding along the Wolf River, Shiocton schools went back to in-person learning April 27. But while students have returned to class, Shiocton Superintendent Garrett Zimmerman acknowledged in a social media post that a sense of normalcy might take much longer. MILWAUKEE – On Friday, April 24, the Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association (MTEA) filed a Prohibited Practices complaint against Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) with the Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission (WERC).
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