Wisconsin Education NewsFebruary 27, 2026A daily update of education news and events that are taking place around Wisconsin. Looking for Potential Grant Reviewers for Upcoming Competitive Grant Review Process The Educator Development Section is preparing for the upcoming Peer Review and Mentoring Grant (PRMG) application review. They are seeking external application reviewers. DPI needs outside reviewers as we anticipate there will be more applications than funds available. Celebrate National AI Literacy Day with Learning Blade! National AI Literacy Day is March 27, 2026! This is a great opportunity to introduce students to artificial intelligence and its impact on our world. Marinette School District welcomes new superintendent MARINETTE — The Marinette Public School District announced the appointment of Matthew Smith as its next Superintendent, with an official start date of July 1. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says ‘the money is there’ for tax rebates, special education funding Days after Assembly Speaker Robin Vos announced his retirement, he said negotiations with Gov. Tony Evers over how to use billions of excess state dollars are still “in the very early stages.” A Republican spending plan backed by Vos and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu would spend $2.3 billion of Wisconsin’s budget surplus through a combination of tax rebates and increased special education funding. Evers rejected that plan in his State of the State address. Wabeno art teacher shares Antarctica trip experience with students WABENO, Wis. (WJFW) — Pollution is constantly rising around the world, causing climate change to speed up. According to National Geographic, over three trillions tons of ice has melted away from Antarctica since the 1990s. Recently, Breanna Kanak, an art teacher at the Wabeno Area School District, had the opportunity to go to Antarctica. After coming back, she brought lessons back to her class about her trip. A city preservation panel in La Crosse will spend the next month studying the historic value of Emerson Elementary School. Emerson, Spence and Hintgen schools are all scheduled to close as part of the district’s consolidation prices.Emerson, however, was nominated as a local historic landmark. The La Crosse Heritage Preservation Commission got a look at the case at its monthly meeting Thursday. Cornell Capital Referendum could decide future of K-12 education in area CORNELL (WQOW) - Voters in the Cornell area have a big decision to make at the ballot box in April as the Cornell School District is seeking $15 million in referendum funding. That referendum is the result of a facilities audit that released last year that found the high school needs over $15 million in repairs whether it be an out-of-code and faulty fire alarm system, water damage due to old piping, and much more. Oshkosh teacher named Wisconsin's 2026 Outstanding Young Choral Director OSHKOSH, Wis. (WFRV) – An Oshkosh teacher earned a prestigious statewide honor on Thursday, receiving the 2026 Outstanding Young Choral Director Award from the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association (WCDA). Marquette Poll: Wisconsin voters want lower property taxes vs. more funding for schools Wisconsin voters are more concerned with reducing their property taxes than increasing funding for public schools. Voters also say they’re less inclined to support a school referendum. These findings come from the latest Marquette University Law School Poll released this week. Voters’ attitude toward public school finances comes at a time when public school advocates are pushing the state Legislature to do more for schools. Music program in Independence awarded Tools for Schools grant INDEPENDENCE (WQOW) - The school halls in Independence will soon be filled with more music thanks to this month's Tools for Schools grant. Thursday, Mower Sperry Insurance and 18 News awarded the Independence School District's music department the Tools for Schools grant. For many students, financial barriers make learning music challenging. Instruments are expensive to purchase and renting them is also costly. Madison School Board approves $165K for compensation study The Madison School Board approved a $165,500 contract for a compensation study on Monday, the Cap Times reports. The decision comes from calls from teachers union Madison Teachers Inc. to address salary compression for veteran teachers. The union said the pay scale at the Madison Metropolitan School District does not fairly compensate veteran teachers. Webster students planning on a European study tour Webster High School students will have a chance to tour central Europe next year, as part of a social studies foreign study abroad program. The trip is slated for June of 2027 and requires a minimum of six students to go forward. High School Social Studies teacher Parker Johnson outlined the option to the board of education last week, noting the sites, countries and exhibits the trip will entail. New Holstein School District curriculum director retiring New Holstein Board of Education members accepted the retirement of Director of Curriculum and Instruction Lori Verhagen at their meeting held Monday, Feb. 16. Verhagen, who was present at the meeting, said in a letter that she would be retiring effective June 30. Struggling School District Applies for $4 Million State Loan (HUSTISFORD) The Hustisford School District plans to borrow $4 million from the state of Wisconsin to provide short-term cash flow as the district faces an uncertain future. The Board of Education approved applying for a loan from the State Trust Fund Loan Program on Feb. 16. The interest on the loan is 5.5%. Interim Superintendent Todd Bugnacki said in a letter to district taxpayers that the money is needed whether voters approve a referendum on April 7 or not. Sparta school district holds informational session for $1.8 million annual referendum SPARTA, Wis. (WKBT) -- The Sparta Area School District will ask voters to approve $1.8 million in additional funding annually for three years during an April 7 referendum to help preserve student resources and programs while avoiding deeper cuts. The district held an informational session Tuesday night to explain the operating referendum. Voters will decide whether to increase the district's operational budget by $1.8 million each year from 2026-2027 through 2028-2029. Eric Young named School District of Colfax’s next Superintendent of Schools COLFAX, Wis. (WEAU) - The Board of Education of the School District of Colfax is announcing Eric Young has been selected as the district’s next Superintendent of Schools. Young is set to begin his duties on July 1, 2026. Denmark schools ask voters to reapprove $925K referendum. What to know The Denmark School District will ask voters to reapprove a three-year, $925,000 operational referendum this April. Voters have been approving the same amount since 2017, despite rising costs. Those dollars are so important to the district, Superintendent Luke Goral said, that they don’t want to ask for more for fear that a referendum wouldn’t pass. North Woods students join global reading event to spark love for books LA CROSSE, Wis. (WXOW) – More than 250 students and staff at North Woods International School participated in a global reading event Thursday. They joined classrooms worldwide for the 20th annual Jumpstart Read for the Record, where millions read the same book on the same day. MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is accepting multiple nominations for the Farm to School Advisory Council until May 15, 2026. Members serve three-year terms, and the council meets quarterly. The nomination form and more information is available at https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/AgDevelopment/FarmToSchool.aspx. Questions can be directed to DATCP Farm to School and Institution Specialist April Yancer at (608) 244-5017 or [email protected].
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