Wisconsin Education News

January 28, 2026

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

Schools and Immigration: Guidance and Resources

How a rural Wisconsin school district closed learning gaps for low-income students

A small school district at the tip of Door County was consistently outperforming state and national expectations. But then faculty members at the Sevastopol School District dug deeper and realized there were alarming learning gaps. “Economically disadvantaged children were not receiving the same education as as our non-economically disadvantaged children,” said second grade teacher Katie Grooters. “So that became our mission. How are we going to reach these kids so they can be at the same academic achievement as their peers?”

DWD awards equipment grants to three school districts

The state Department of Workforce Development awarded $23,249 in Wisconsin Fast Forward grants to three school districts throughout the state.The Advanced Manufacturing Technical Education Equipment grants help train students and address the state's skilled workforce shortage. School districts will use the funding to expand career pathway options by upgrading technical education training equipment and facilities

Wisconsin superintendents urge lawmakers for funding relief

MADISON, Wis. — Superintendents from Wisconsin's five largest school districts have sent an urgent plea to state lawmakers, demanding relief from a funding crisis they say threatens the quality of education across the state. The leaders of Madison, Milwaukee, Kenosha, Racine and Green Bay school districts wrote to the legislature warning that inflation has driven up costs for feeding students, powering schools and covering employee healthcare while general state aid has failed to keep pace. "We just cannot continue to go this way," said Dr. Joe Gothard, Madison Metropolitan School District superintendent.

Nearly 600 La Crosse students perform together at the district’s Band Extravaganza

The Sound of Music was coming from the main arena at the La Crosse Center on Tuesday night — literally. Over 580 students from grades 6-12 packed the arena floor as part of the La Crosse School District’s annual Band Extravaganza. The night culminated in a massive performance of “Do-Re-Mi,” from The Sound of Music, featuring every student playing together under the direction of UW-La Crosse Director of Bands and Orchestra, Dr. Martin Gaines.

Madison High Schools transitioning to standards-based learning

MADISON, Wis. — The Madison School District is changing how students will learn throughout the year, transitioning from traditional percentage-based grading to standards-based learning at the high school level. Students at East High School have already switched over to standards-based learning, while other high schools in the district are preparing to follow suit.

Wisconsin projected budget surplus, school funding debate

MILWAUKEE - What should Wisconsin do with an estimated budget surplus topping $2 billion? There's a new debate over your tax dollars and funding education.

Madison schools OK $165K study after union’s pay complaints

The Madison School Board approved a $165,500 contract for a compensation study at its Monday meeting following months of mounting calls from the teachers union to address salary compression for veteran teachers. The Madison Metropolitan School District’s board green lit a proposal from Evergreen Solutions, a Florida-based consulting firm, to conduct a study of about 4,500 employees’ compensation. Set to begin in February, the work is scheduled to conclude by the end of June.

Krizan presents 20 options for $1.6M cut

Shawano School District Superintendent Kurt Krizan presented the Shawano School Board with 20 potential options for changes or cuts that would help the school district to reach its threshold of eliminating $1.6 million in operational expenses for its 2026-27 budget. The board did not discuss the details of Krizan’s options. The vote on cuts could come at the board’s next meeting Feb. 23.

Weighing heaving decisions; High repair costs puts LEAP, Lincoln on chopping block

WATERTOWN — Discussions swirled Monday night surrounding elementary schools that could potentially close should the Watertown Unified School District’s $4.5 million operational referendum fail, or even pass, in April. Watertown School Board member Julaine Appling said it’s not an easy discussion for anyone, but the talk has to happen in order to prepare for the next school year. “We have to put a plan in place,” she said. “There has to be a deadline for the administration to work with.”

Building students' sense of belonging crucial to Waunakee district's goals

Students who feel a sense of belonging at school perform better academically. Through restorative practices and commitments to developing that comfortability in the classroom and beyond, the Waunakee Area School District is working to make kids feel more at ease and part of a community. Presenters at the Monday, Jan. 26, DEI Committee meeting shared what they’ve learned about those topics and how it’s being implemented in the educational environment.

Rock Co. school district receives $10K grant to purchase manufacturing equipment

MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development has awarded over $10,000 to a Rock County school district for a Wisconsin Fast Forward equipment grant, the department said on Tuesday. The Advanced Manufacturing Technical Education Equipment grants will benefit more than 500 students and help address the state's skilled workforce shortage by supporting schools as they prepare students for quality, in-demand jobs. Two other school districts received funding, including those in Iron and Barron counties.

Armed man arrested at Peshtigo school blood drive escapes handcuffs and attacks officers

PESHTIGO, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A man is facing charges for bringing a loaded gun and knives to a school blood drive, then attacking police officers after he escaped from his handcuffs. It all started shortly before 11:45 a.m. Monday, when a student working at a blood drive hosted at Peshtigo High School called 911 to report “a suspicious male party who was possibly carrying a gun on his person.”

Urban spelunking: Tosa East's long-closed third floor

A staircase away from Wauwatosa East, which U.S. News & World Report has ranked as the 23rd best high school (of about 550) in Wisconsin, is the long-mythologized “third floor.”  While I’ve been to many shuttered schools, I can’t say I’ve ever been to one that literally sits above one of the top public high schools in the state.  Closed in the 1970s, the third floor is – like pretty much all closed schools – part time capsule, part eerie storage locker.

Columbia County students convey conservation through arts and oratory

Last week the business-centered browns, grays, and beiges of the Columbia County Administrative Building’s first floor corridor were overwhelmed by color, courtesy of the county’s young conservationists. The 2026 Conservation Awareness Poster and Speaking Contest, hosted by the Columbia County Department of Land and Water Conservation, was held on Jan. 21, with art covering the walls and students taking the stage to educate the public. “We’re tallying the results for the posters this morning,” said Land and Water Department Administrator Kelly Maginnis, who oversaw the event, in a phone call the following Tuesday.

Wisconsin law would require transparency on teacher license investigations

MADISON, Wis. (The Center Square) - Wisconsin lawmakers are looking to add requirements for what the Department of Public Instruction posts online regarding investigations into K-12 teacher license holders. The potential change follows a report last year showing the department does not publicly disclose details on sexual misconduct and grooming cases. Assembly Bill 795 and companion Senate Bill 785 would require DPI to post the name of any license holder that is under investigation and the outcome of the investigation, including if the investigation was terminated due to a voluntary surrender of the license.