Wisconsin Education NewsMay 8, 2025A daily update of education news and events that are taking place around Wisconsin. Workshop to Support New Teachers 20-40% of our new teachers LEAVE by the end of their fifth year. There are concrete strategies leaders can put into place at the start of the new school year to prevent this. AWSA members are invited to join a special workshop to learn HOW BEST TO SUPPORT NEW TEACHERS. Kim Marshall and Jenn David-Lang will present the workshop twice: May 28 at 4pm EST & June 3 at 1pm EST. RSVP HERE
Building Academy- Begins August 2025 If you are an experienced administrator committed to becoming a learning leader who is transforming a school into a learning organization, then join AWSA’s 2025-26 Building Academy. GHS students engage in service and career exploration GRAFTON — Grafton High School freshmen and sophomores stepped outside the classroom for an afternoon of meaningful community service and career exploration on April 10, marking what district officials say is a significant event in the school’s commitment to academic and career development. MUKWONAGO — For the eighth consecutive year, Park View Middle school, part of the Mukwonago Area School District, has been recognized as a 2024-25 Project Lead The Way Distinguished School. It is the only middle school in Wisconsin and one of just 19 schools in the entire nation to earn the PLTW Distinguished Gateway School award that many times. Half of Milwaukee's kids aren't being screened for lead. Fewer than 20 came to a free testing clinic MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The stage was set at North Division High School for a surge of families Wednesday as city health officials held a free lead screening clinic for Milwaukee families. Instead, fewer than 20 kids came in for testing over a four-hour span. The low turnout wasn't what the Milwaukee Health Department, Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS), Children's Wisconsin and others were hoping for when they arranged for the free clinic, the second of its kind since the start of MPS' lead crisis this spring. RUSD bi-weekly round-up: life skills, literacy surgery, and student stars shine bright From summer basketball camps to a classroom turned operating room, Racine Unified School District (RUSD) continues to inspire and engage students of all ages. B-W Marching Band honored by School Board The April Student Recognition of the Baldwin-Woodville School Board went to 10 students who contributed to last year’s State Marching Band title. Hundreds of Shorewood High School students walk out to protest teacher cuts SHOREWOOD, Wis. — Hundreds of students at Shorewood High School walked out Wednesday afternoon to protest the district's decision to cut teaching positions, marching from their school to Atwater Beach to show support for their educators. NEENAH, WI — The Neenah Joint School District hosts hundreds of adaptive physical education and disabled students at Neenah High Schools track and football field. It’s all part of the third Neenah Applauding Student Abilities…or NASA…Field Day. WHBY’s Terry Kovarik shows us more. Winneconne Elementary School will host after-school Boys & Girls Club program next year OSHKOSH – Parents will have another after-school option starting this fall. The Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh and the Winneconne Community School District are partnering to offer an after-school program for students in kindergarten through fifth grade starting next school year. December shooting fuels increased anxiety, focus on school safety in Madison As the school year draws to a close, parents and educators are reflecting on how the tragedy at Abundant Life has altered the Madison community. They’re also having more conversations about how to keep kids safe at school — and at home. Gina Aguglia, who directs critical response for the Madison Metropolitan School District, said the district has been leaning on an exhaustive school safety plan that details proactive strategies, how to respond in the moment and how to move forward after a crisis. Waunakee Community School District to implement school bus tracking technology WAUNAKEE, Wis. -- Families in the Waunakee Community School District will soon be introduced to an app that will allow them to track their students' school bus. "[It's to] give them peace of mind in terms of students going to and from school," said WCSD Superintendent Dr. Monica Kelsey-Brown, regarding the implementation of the My Ride K-12 app and other safety upgrades. MPS 'excesses' 181 academics office positions in reorganization efforts MILWAUKEE - Changes are coming to jobs within Milwaukee Public Schools in efforts to reorganize the school district. What we know: In a letter obtained by FOX6 News on Wednesday, May 7, MPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius shared with employees that 181 academic office jobs are being "excessed" to shrink positions at the central MPS academic office. Staff impacted by the decision were notified the same day the letter was sent. ECASD issues $400k defeasance on loan from 2022 referendum EAU CLAIRE — The Eau Claire Area School District approved a defeasance of their loan from the 2022 capital referendum, which will save the district $402,042 in interest payments. “From time to time, dollars accumulate in the debt service account, whether through interest or a prior levy,” said Mark Elworthy, executive director of Business Services. Oconto school officials warn of dangerous Chromebook challenge trending on social media OCONTO, Wis. (WLUK) -- A dangerous social media trend where students intentionally try to make their Chromebooks smoke has caught the eye of school administrators in Oconto. The district is taking a proactive approach in an effort to prevent a tragedy. US school districts facing extortion attempt after hack, software provider says DETROIT (Reuters) -Hackers have tried to extort “multiple” school districts in the United States using previously stolen data from education software and cloud provider PowerSchool, the company said in a statement on Wednesday. MPS lead crisis: Community leaders call for change outside clinic MILWAUKEE - Community leaders gathered outside North Division High School on Wednesday afternoon, calling for changes in the city, county, health department and school district amid an ongoing Milwaukee Public Schools lead hazard crisis. New MPS superintendent excesses 181 office staff, pushing many of them into classrooms In a move to shrink the administrative central office of Milwaukee Public Schools and send more staff into school buildings, newly appointed MPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius announced a restructuring plan May 7 that will impact 181 staff as of July 1. About 40 of the staff will be offered classroom teaching positions, and about 140 could regain their positions after reapplying for them — though some of the job descriptions could look different, as Cassellius wants to move many of them into school-based teams. Senators consider mandating access to military recruiters, restricting school funding requests Republican lawmakers are seeking to give military recruiters and youth organizations a boost from the state when it comes to reaching students in public schools, saying that some school districts aren’t giving the organizations equal access. Lawmakers on the Senate Education Committee considered those along with bills that would add further requirements to school referendum requests. Beloit schools to pursue to 2026 referendum, assistant principals first on chopping block BELOIT — The School District of Beloit school board Tuesday unanimously approved directing Superintendent Willie Garrison to begin preparing to put an operational referendum on the April 2026 ballot. On April 1, Beloit schools had an operational referendum fail for the third straight year. This one, though, lost by just 141 votes out of 8,753 votes cast. The result raised hopes that with more time to prepare and lobby voters, next year finally could be the year the district passes a referendum. Final farewells scheduled for three Wausau elementary schools closing this year WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) - The community is invited to gather for a Final Farewell Celebration for Grant Elementary School on Thursday evening as the school prepares to close its doors for the final time. Middle school teacher in Green Bay wins National 180 award for outstanding achievement in literacy GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – When one middle school teacher in Green Bay entered her classroom on Monday, she was given quite the surprise as she was selected as a recipient of the 2025 National 180 Awards. According to a release from the Green Bay Area Public School District, Washington Middle School special education teacher Mollianna Fischer was selected as a recipient of the National 180 award. 2025 Capital Projects Starting in Two Rivers School District As the school year gets close to ending in Two Rivers, construction will be getting underway again. Two Rivers Public Schools Superintendent Diane Johnson explained on WOMT’s Be My Guest program that money from the district’s 2022 referendum is still being used for construction and improvements around the district. Wisconsin Legislators Seek to Restrict School Referendums Wisconsin voters approved a record number of referendums in 2024 to increase property taxes to fund their local schools. Now legislators are looking for ways to address school districts’ growing dependence on referendums. The Senate Committee on Education held two public hearings Tuesday that would increase transparency for referendums and eliminate recurring referendum requests. Craig Olson resigns as Hayward Schools superintendent Hayward Community School District Superintendent Craig Olson submitted his resignation at the Board of Education’s Monday May 5 meeting, effective June 30. The board voted 6-1 to accept Olson’s resignation, with Stacey Hessel opposed. Olson has served as Hayward superintendent for the past 14 years. Prior to that, he was Hayward middle school assistant principal and principal for 10 years. Gaier wins 2025 'NewsChannel 7 Girls' Basketball Coach of the Year' award NEILLSVILLE, Wis. (WSAW) - For the third time in the last four years, John Gaier is the NewsChannel 7 Girls Basketball Coach of the Year. Gaier accepted the award in front of his Neillsville squad on Thursday afternoon. He has now won the award four times in his career. Family settles lawsuit with WIAA after student denied eligibility for transfer reasons BARABOO, Wis. (WKOW) -- A Baraboo family settled their lawsuit with the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) after a student requested extenuating circumstances to play sports and was denied. 'Their jaws dropped': Kenosha teacher receives more than $100,000 classroom makeover KENOSHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- It's National Teacher Appreciation Week and one Kenosha teacher is definitely feeling the love. "It was almost as if it felt like a dream," said Allison Locy, a teacher at Grant Elementary School. "I couldn't imagine something so great was going to be coming to Kenosha and to my classroom of first graders." Teaching at Grant Elementary for three years, Locy says she never expected to win a more than $100,000 classroom makeover from Staples Business Advantage. State special education funding in the spotlight with federal support in flux Wisconsin’s special education reimbursement rate has been a concern for public school advocates for many years, but with districts’ reliance on school referendum requests increasing and federal support in doubt, the state’s reimbursement rate is quickly becoming one of the top issues this budget cycle. Public school districts currently get about 30% of their special education costs reimbursed by the state. Advocates have called to increase that to at least 60% and as much as 90%, which is the amount that private and charter schools participating in the state’s voucher programs already get. Farmers, volunteers come together to introduce 900 Wisconsin students to agriculture careers As a fleet of eleven school buses lumbered into the large paved farmyard at Ebert Enterprises near Algoma, a small army of volunteers welcomed 450 students eager to participate in Ag Career Days. Launched in 2012 by the Kewaunee County Economic Development Corporation, the 2-day event, held every two years, was designed as a way for students to identify how their interests could transfer to a potential career in the agriculture industry. This year's event was held April 29 and 30 and hosted over 900 students from Algoma, Kewaunee, Luxemburg-Casco, Denmark, and Southern Door school districts as well as area parochial and home-schooled students. Evers again insists any tax cut deal be part of budget, wants education funded ‘at every level' Gov. Tony Evers isn’t backing off his demand that any tax plan he’d sign be included in the state budget, and he wants Republicans to fund education “at every level” to move forward on budget negotiations. Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, told WisPolitics in a statement yesterday that GOP leaders have asked to meet with Evers by the end of next week to keep budget deliberations on schedule. He added there’s agreement in the Legislature on a tax cut proposal, something the guv’s office disputes.
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