Wisconsin Education News
September 3, 2026
A daily update of education news and events that are taking place around Wisconsin.
Warning: Beware of the Cat in the Hat Hoax
A new viral hoax is occurring throughout school communities across the country. Agencies have termed it the “Cat in the Hat” hoax due to the nature of the image that accompanies the threat. Primarily shared in short form video, via services such as TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Facebook/Instagram Reels, the threat typically showcases a dancing Cat in the Hat with verbiage on the video screen of “I’m visiting TOWN or STATE next, better be looking out,” accompanied by a threatening description that is worded like a Dr. Suess rhyme. As always, take each threat seriously and work with your local law enforcement agencies and follow your district policies and procedures.
VASD taking purpose-driven approach to technology
As students return to classrooms for the 2026-27 school year, they will encounter some changes in how technology is used across the Verona Area School District (VASD), from clearer expectations around cell phones to new tools for communicating with educators and coaches.
Burst pipes, sewer issues plague Webb Middle School ahead of $83M referendum
As students return to Webb Middle School for a new school year, teachers and administrators are dealing with a series of ongoing facility problems from burst pipes and flooding to electrical issues, sewer problems and extreme humidity.
How Mount Horeb Area School District Prevented an Active Shooter Event
Dr. Steve Salerno spoke on how the Mount Horeb Area School District was able to prevent an active shooter event on their campus.
E-S School Board holds summer meetings, receive enrollment update
As the new school year begins, the Eleva-Strum School District is planning for a total preliminary enrollment of 315 students in its elementary school. This estimate was made at one of two meetings held by the Central School Board during the summer.
Winneconne students rally for administrator on leave
Winneconne high school students organized a parking lot rally on the first day of school Wednesday to show support for District Administrator Margaret Larson, who was placed on paid administrative leave last week by the school board.
De Soto Area School District is asking voters to approve a $3.6M referendum, it's 4th attempt in 3 years.
The De Soto Area School District is asking voters to approve a $3.6 million operational referendum in November, its fourth referendum request in three years.
Evers calls for more education funding during school visit, as districts struggle to keep up with rising costs
Governor Tony Evers visited Emerson Elementary Wednesday, Sept. 2, as part of his final annual back-to-school tour, a tradition he has used to spotlight students, educators and the start of the school year.
Literacy coaches help Northeast Wisconsin districts meet state standards | FOX 11 Reads
"Right now, we know the state of Wisconsin has work to do in terms of literacy," said Kaylee Jackson, director of the Office of Literacy for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. "We have a state that has a very rich background in education and yet our students are not performing in literacy or reading comprehension the way we would like them to."
Belleville receives $1.7 million for highway pedestrian underpass
The Village of Belleville has received a $1.716 million federal grant to build a bicycle and pedestrian underpass beneath state highways 69 and 92 near the Belleville School District campus.
Property value surge is good news for PW-S schools
The Port Washington-Saukville School District’s equalized property value is predicted to surge this year largely because of the Vantage Data Centers Lighthouse Campus, giving the district more flexibility in managing its more than $80 million referendum debt while perhaps providing some tax relief.
Families get look at schools before first day
Schools are starting up again in Shawano, and with that comes the shift from summer life to another year of learning.
Hustisford schools sit empty after failed referendum
The Hustisford School District has closed its doors after voters rejected a $3.75 million referendum in April, leaving the district without money for operations.
Wisconsin receives $10.5 million grant to support special education teachers
The federal funding will support efforts to train and retain special education teachers. According to the DPI, only 43% of special education teachers remain in the profession after eight years.
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