Wisconsin Education NewsMay 4, 2026A daily update of education news and events that are taking place around Wisconsin. The Skills for Secondary School Success Curriculum Skills for Secondary School Success helps students build the skills to thrive both academically and personally in middle and high school. The free program fosters independence, goal setting, resilience, communication, collaboration, purpose, and future readiness—key drivers of long-term success—while building students’ confidence and empowering them to manage their own learning. School Board talks next year's budget SHELL LAKE — The Shell Lake School Board heard an update on the 2026-27 district budget at their meeting Monday, April 20. Supt. Todd Felhofer said since the operational four-year, non-recurring referendum of exceeding the revenue limit $650,000 annually for that time was successful, they are working on developing next year’s budget. “Now we know that ($650,000) is going to be part if it,” he said. New Appleton school policy changes when K-5 students counted absent Starting next school year, Appleton elementary schools will consider students absent if they arrive after 8:45 a.m. During the Appleton School Board's April 27 meeting, Superintendent Greg Hartjes said changes to the district's attendance policy were needed to ensure "policy and practice are aligned" and update the language used. Shiocton district prepares DPI waiver request after April flood-canceled school days SHIOCTON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The Shiocton School Board will hold a public hearing Monday on a proposed request to the state to waive the required number of instructional minutes due to school days lost in the recent flooding. The state has minimum requirements for instructional minutes for various academic levels. The minutes requirement replaced school days several years ago. Kewaunee School District receives Fab Lab grant Kewaunee School District received a $25,000 Fab Lab grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. It was one of 11 school districts this year that will receive a total of $250,000 in Fab Labs Grants to continue efforts to revolutionize classrooms into fabrication laboratories (fab labs). These hands-on learning environments have become the cornerstones of STEAM education across the state. Raymond School District‘s newly formed facilities feasibility task force convened for the first time Tuesday, kicking off what is expected to be a months-long process to assess the school’s aging building and determine how to fund improvements — with a referendum among the options the district may ultimately bring to voters. Wauwatosa, WI – The American Public Policy Special Emphasis (APPSE) class at Wauwatosa West High School placed fourth in the country out of 48 teams at the national We the People competition. The result stands as one of the program’s finest achievements in its 19-year history. The Siren School District Board of Education voted Monday to accept seven resignations and, following a closed session, outlined staffing decisions tied to the district’s projected deficit and a failed $1.8-million referendum for the 2025-26 school year. 'How do we blend the unique identities?': Plans underway to merge West Bend high schools WEST BEND, Wis. — More school districts across Wisconsin are grappling with declining enrollment and rising costs. In West Bend, school district projections show high school enrollment could decline by more than 300 students over the next three years. That’s part of the reason West Bend East and West High Schools will be merged into one by the 2027-2028 school year. KENOSHA — A group of Bradford High School students are bringing a powerful and largely forgotten piece of American history to life this weekend — and they want their community to be there to see it. The Hello Girls tells the true story of the U.S. Army's first female switchboard operators — women who served on the front lines of World War I, keeping critical communications running under fire. Despite their service, they were denied veteran status for more than 50 years. Area high schoolers get hands-on look at construction industry at Miron Construction visit LAKE HALLIE (WQOW) – Area high schoolers got the chance to learn more about the construction profession on Friday. Miron Construction hosted several dozen students at its Lake Hallie office for its annual construction careers event. While there, students were split into groups to learn about masonry, iron working and project management. Sparta Montessori recognized as a Purple Star School SPARTA, Wis. (WXOW) – Sparta Montessori has been named a Purple Star School by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, an honor given to schools that go above and beyond in supporting military-connected students. At Sparta Montessori, that support includes training staff on military culture and creating opportunities like orientation events to help families feel at home right away. School leaders say that welcoming environment is built into everything they do. Teachers Union Loses on School Budget, Wage Hikes On April 28, Assistant City Attorney Robert Sanders made it clear that the Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) are in a precarious position. For this coming school year, the district faces a $46 million deficit. This was verified by three outside audits and analyses of the district’s finances. In addition, Matt Chason of the Office of Accountability and Efficiency previously presented to the board a forecast that an $420 million deficit will develop over the next five years if left unaddressed. As 4 Green Bay schools near end, they open doors to memories, pictures Four Green Bay elementary schools will close their doors forever at the end of this school year. On May 3, generations of students and parents said goodbye. Elmore, Langlade, MacArthur and Kennedy all have about a month left of handmade art and students running through the halls. To honor the decades-old schools and allow former students, parents and those with a connection to take one last tour, all four schools opened their doors for open houses May 3. Failed referendums trigger school cuts, closures and new funding pushes across Wisconsin In the 26 districts that, like Fond du Lac, failed to pass referendums, school leaders have quickly turned to hacking away at their budgets. They’re cutting staff, making plans to close schools and shutting down programs after residents rejected their pleas for more revenue. At least three of these districts are considering closing altogether. Big wrestler makes big donation: Braun Strowman donates $40,000 for new playground DODGE COUNTY, Wis. — A big wrestler makes a big donation to a Dodge County school district.T e Herman Neosho Rubicon School District says former WWE superstar Braun Strowman donated $40,000 to help replace its playground. Department of Public Instruction reviewing Hustisford/Dodgeland tuition agreement HUSTISFORD — Interim Hustisford School District Superintendent Todd Bugnacki said Wednesday that the tuition agreement his district is continuing to work through passed the Dodgeland Board of Education for the 2026-27 school year. “I can’t tell you enough how grateful I am that we have that great partner in Dodgeland in helping us find a path for our students,” Bugnacki said. “I am not sure what we would do without their generous offer to educate our students for the 2026-27 school year. For them to just believe in us, trust us and adopt us as a neighboring district and offer all of our kids a robust education next year is quite honestly a blessing for us and our community.” Green Bay school community says goodbye to four elementary schools that are set to close GREEN BAY (WLUK) -- Around Green Bay, four elementary schools were full of people... but they were adults... and it was Sunday. MacArthur, Kennedy, Elmore and Langlade elementary schools in the Green Bay School District were open to everyone for one last time. SASD Offering Urban Middle School Open House Ahead of Construction Residents in Sheboygan will have one last chance to see inside Urban Middle School before construction begins. The Sheboygan Area School District is inviting the community to visit Urban on May 11th from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for one final open house, as work is slated to begin after the school year at both Urban and Farnsworth Middle Schools. Ground Broken at Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah Middle, High School Work has officially gotten underway for a major update in the Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah School District. The district held a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday (April 30th) at the high school and site of the new middle school. This project is part of a referendum that was passed in November 2024 and will cost $39.6 million. RACINE, Wis. — A group of Racine students are learning what it takes to grow the food you eat. For the last two years, Horlick High School science teacher Tom Pfeiffer has used his class to help teach students where their food comes from. Inside the school courtyard and Pfeiffer’s classroom, it’s all about making a breakthrough. That’s where his students learn how their food goes from the farm to the dinner table. Students also learn how to grow their own crops — like tomatoes and different herbs — using hydroponics . How Melinda Heinritz redefined advocacy efforts for Madison schools At the Madison Public Schools Foundation’s fourth annual summit, Melinda Heinritz hovered near the front of the event space at Thermo Fischer Scientific’s Fitchburg headquarters. Wearing a dark navy blue polo sporting the foundation’s logo, she was in full meet-and-greet mode. Nearly 150 people were expected to attend from across the region’s business, education and nonprofit sectors. As they filed into the room and snagged food from a buffet filled with pastries, Henritz made her rounds, shaking hands, posing for selfies and hugging a few passersby.
|