Wisconsin Education NewsApril 24, 2025A daily update of education news and events that are taking place around Wisconsin. Launching Academy- Begins August 2025 School leadership is essential to high performing schools. It is the mission of the Launching Academy to provide the support necessary for early career principals and associate principals to succeed. If you will be starting in an initial administrative role (or beginning a first year in a different administrative role), register for AWSA's 2025-26 Launching Academy. Madison schools may change how student GPAs are calculated West High School senior Megan Finando was taken aback when the Madison school district began circulating a survey this spring seeking students’ feedback on weighted grading. The Madison Metropolitan School District has long calculated high schoolers’ GPAs on a 4.0 scale. A weighted system would take into consideration the difficulty of coursework, assigning higher value to grade points for Advanced Placement or honors classes. Milton High School looks to add animal science facility for hands-on learning MILTON, Wis.-- Milton High School is looking to add an animal science facility with the support of the school's Future Farmers of America Alumni. Fond du Lac teachers impacted by layoffs meet with school board to appeal FOND DU LAC, Wis. (WBAY) - On Wednesday night, members of a teachers’ union in Fond du Lac fought for their jobs. Several of them are appealing the school board’s decision to lay them off to address a $7.5 million budget deficit within the district. Most Oconto Co. school districts get at least 8% of budgets in federal Education Dept. funding Amid ongoing threats from the Trump administration to federal funding, new data from Wisconsin’s Department of Public Instruction shows most Oconto County area school districts rely on federal funding for at least 8% of its revenue limit budget each year. Statewide, school districts receive from under $2,000 to $195 million from the U.S. Education and Agriculture departments annually. Watch: Parents outraged as school board votes to close WSTEM after next school year WAUWATOSA, Wis. — A months-long fight by Wauwatosa parents to save Wauwatosa STEM (WSTEM) came to a surprising halt this week when the school board voted to close WSTEM after the next school year, accelerating a previously approved five-year phase-out plan. ‘He had goals and dreams': WI mom fights for stronger sextortion penalties after son's death MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - Wisconsin lawmakers held a public hearing to talk about a bill that would create new penalties for the crime of sextortion. This comes after a 15-year-old victim of sextortion took his own life in March. The Wisconsin Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety discussed Assembly Bill 201, more commonly known as Bradyn’s Law. It is named after Bradyn Bohn. He was a student in the D.C. Everest Area School District. Marshall School Board hears update on capital referendum project More details on how the Marshall School District will proceed with work associated with the $5.355 million capital referendum have come to light. Choosing a contractor for the school entrance safety and security improvements at all facilities will get the ball rolling, as the school board appears to be going with Vogel Bros. to complete that part. St. Croix Falls School District Welcomes Kris Wallace As New Middle School Principal St. Croix Falls, WI -- The St. Croix Falls School District is excited to announce that Mr. Kris Wallace will be the new principal of St. Croix Falls Middle School, beginning with the 2025–2026 school year. A new vote, but the same result: Wauwatosa School District to close STEM school in 2026 The Wauwatosa School Board voted 4-2 against renewing the WSTEM charter school's contract, leading to its closure in June 2026. Parents and teachers advocated for keeping WSTEM open, citing its unique multi-age classrooms and innovative approach to STEM education. The decision follows months of negotiations and a previous vote in October 2024 to close WSTEM and other STEM programs. Summit Elementary School holds ribbon-cutting ceremony for new solar classroom LA CROSSE, Wis. (WEAU) - A new outdoor solar classroom at Summit Elementary School on French Island is complete. The 60 panel, 32 kilowatt structure will provide a space for classes to be held outdoors. Solar on La Crosse Schools, the School District of La Crosse, and other organizations partnered to bring this structure to the school. The McFarland School Board is considering a proposal to rename Conrad Elvehjem Primary School to McFarland Primary School. The board will vote on the proposed name change during its regular meeting on May 5, at 7 p.m. at the McFarland School District Office. New principal hired for Janesville’s Lincoln Elementary School The School District of Janesville hires a new elementary school leader. The school board approved a district recommendation to hire Rachel Bynum as the next principal at Lincoln Elementary School. School board approves new 3rd-grade promotion policy An updated policy that looks at reading requirements for third-grade students in the Shawano School District to be promoted to fourth grade was passed April 14 by the Shawano School Board but not before considerable discussion. La Crosse teachers’ union co-president Jill Schams joins to talk about the Brewers Racing Sausages visiting her school, Gov. Tony Evers’ 400-year school funding bill upheld, teaching music and the new school board. Kenosha cracks down on student vaping with installation of vape detectors in school buildings KENOSHA, Wis. — To address the rise in student vaping, which doctors say poses health risks, many school districts around the country are installing vape detectors in school buildings. In Wisconsin, the Kenosha Unified School District (KUSD) has installed a total of 72 vape detectors in all its middle and high school bathrooms. Taste of the Draft raises funds to impact over 50,000 kids across Wisconsin GREEN BAY, Wis. — As many arrive in Green Bay ahead of the NFL Draft, the League is putting on experiences for everyone to enjoy. Wednesday night kicked off the Taste of the Draft, held at Schreiber Foods in Green Bay. The event highlighted 20 iconic supper clubs from Wisconsin to give guests a taste of what Wisconsin is all about. Student homelessness at a new high The reported number of homeless students hit a high mark in Wisconsin’s public schools in the 2023-24 academic year, likely due to both an increase in family homelessness and improved identification of existing need. In response, school districts and communities may wish to develop targeted supports for these high-risk students. WIAA Approves Increases School Reimbursements And Officials Pay The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Board of Control voted to approve increases in several reimbursements, fees and allowances at its April meeting on Wednesday. BELGIUM, Wis. — A new exchange program is providing local students with the opportunity to connect with the area's Luxembourgish roots. Through this program, students from both countries are able to visit the other to learn about culture and meet fellow students. A group of those students visited the Luxembourg-American Cultural Center in Belgium Wednesday morning. Mock crash demonstrates drunk driving dangers to G-E-T students ahead of prom GALESVILLE, Wis. (WKBT) -- Students at Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau High School witnessed the sobering aftermath of drunk driving during a staged mock car crash demonstration organized by local first responders Wednesday. Emergency personnel created a realistic crash scene on school grounds, complete with wrecked vehicles, student actors portraying victims and first responders demonstrating their emergency protocols. ''Making prudent personal financial decisions.' Jefferson Middle School hosts Family Finance Night JEFFERSON - One of the most important roles Erich Utrie takes on as a teacher is educating his students about personal finance, empowering them to make wise decisions that will support them in whatever subject they choose to study or career they choose to pursue. Famous racing sausages honor teacher in Altoona ALTOONA, Wis. (WEAU) - Altoona Elementary School filled its gymnasium with lots of excitement as one of the school’s teachers was honored for her work in the classroom. Tuesday morning, there were also some special guests helping her celebrate. Husky Heroes new program at New Holstein Elementary School New Holstein Elementary School staff have started a student of the month program called Husky Heroes. They have different themes for each month. Students are chosen by teachers who see them demonstrating these themes and character traits. School district information session held regarding ‘Optimizing Our Future’ WAUKESHA — The School District of Waukesha held an information session on Tuesday regarding its goal to reduce building capacity by 10% to 15% to be in line with the current enrollment trends. As of Tuesday, there were no specific buildings highlighted that were in danger of closing. Â
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