Wisconsin Education NewsJanuary 24, 2025The Wisconsin Education News is a daily update of education news and events that are taking place around Wisconsin. Communication Templates Regarding Immigration and Impact on Schools With the developments in Washington, D.C., AWSA's communication partners at the Donovan Group have developed and will continue to update these communication templates that were distributed nationally yesterday by AASA. GOP lawmakers propose reverting to old testing standards as Superintendent Underly defends changes Wisconsin lawmakers are seeking to reset the state’s testing standards to what they were in the 2019-2020 school year after the Department of Public Instruction implemented new performance level standards last year — a decision that DPI Superintendent Jill Underly has repeatedly defended. The School District of Rhinelander is far from the only Northwoods school district holding a referendum this spring. Voters in the Tomahawk and Northland Pines districts will find an operational referendum question on their Feb. 18 ballot and last week the Three Lakes School District Board of Education voted unanimously to place a two-question capital referendum on the April 1 ballot. The School District of Rhinelander has been selected to take part in a meeting with state legislators focused on the success of school programs that promote career opportunities for students. Come fall, two School District of Rhinelander elementary schools will have new leadership. Following a closed session Monday evening, the district’s board of education approved the retirement of Paul Johnson and Gayle Daniel effective at the end of this school year. GREEN BAY (NBC26) — Concerns over tough new immigration enforcement have led to rumors and reports of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents being spotted in our area. Meet DPI Superintendent candidate Brittany Kinser MADISON, Wis. -- Three candidates are looking to take the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Superintendent position, a role that only comes up every four years and oversee public education across the state. Incumbent Dr. Jill Underly is seeking a second term and is challenged by Jeff Wright, the Sauk Prairie superintendent and Brittany Kinser, an education consultant. Appleton Area School District welcomes public input on district rezoning APPLETON, Wis. (WBAY) - The Appleton Area School District offered the community a chance to weigh in on their rezoning plan on Thursday night. This discussion came after the Appleton school board voted in favor of repurposing the 132-year-old Columbus Elementary School due to low enrollment. MMSD launches ‘Mad for Reading' campaign to improve literacy scores MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - Madison Metropolitan School District launched the ‘Mad for Reading’ initiative to get students excited about reading and families involved in their child’s literacy development. The district hosted the event at Southside Elementary Thursday evening. Green Bay School District preparing for potential immigration enforcement. What to know. GREEN BAY - The Green Bay School District has provided teachers with guidance ahead of potential immigration enforcement, according to internal memos shared with the Press-Gazette. Cudahy K4 students teach seniors mindfulness at intergenerational class CUDAHY, Wis. — Cudahy seniors and K4 students came together Thursday for a special lesson on mindfulness. An enthusiastic group of 4-year-olds from General Mitchell Elementary in the School District of Cudahy led a breath class at the Kelly Senior Center, sharing techniques they've been learning in school over the past six weeks. MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- For more than a year, Wisconsin law has required Milwaukee Public Schools to reinstate at least 25 school resource officers by 2025. But we're now more than three weeks into the new year, with still no sign. Bill proposed that would make WIAA subject to public records, open meetings laws A bill is again circulating in the Wisconsin State Legislature that would subject the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association to public records and open meetings laws. G-E-T Teacher awarded Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching GALESVILLE, Wis. (WXOW) - Since 1983, more than 5,200 educators have been recognized through the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. In the latest round of reward recipients, a teacher in the Coulee Region can be added to this prestigious number. Unified School District of De Pere considers new phone policy DE PERE, WI (WTAQ) — A new cell phone policy could be coming to a northeast Wisconsin school district. The policy would have students in the Unified School District of De Pere turn in their cell phone before each class. Rib Lake looks at earlier school year start School could start earlier next fall for students and staff at Rib Lake School District. At the January 15 board meeting, district administrator Travis Grubbs reported that the Department of Public Instruction had approved the district’s waiver request to start school earlier due to the construction project. Family appeals decision on religion in classroom The topic of religion in Gilman classrooms as part of Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) curriculum continues to be an issue for one local family. Jacob and Emily Doro have appealed the complaint review committee’s decision to leave the curriculum as is. On November 12, 2024, the Doros filed a complaint in writing which stated, “Our complaint is not about the teaching staff, or the potential for indoctrination, but entirely the exposure to the variety of religions.” Sturgeon Bay Launches Campaign To Renovate Auditorium In Honor Of Robert H. Nickel The Sturgeon Bay School District has begun an initiative to renovate and upgrade the school’s auditorium in honor of the late Robert H. Nickel, called the “Launching a Legacy” campaign. Nickel was a beloved former principal and advocate for the performing arts. Oconomowoc Area School District to address enrollment challenges at Summit Elementary OCONOMOWOC — While overall the Oconomowoc Area School District is experiencing declining enrollment for the past five years, the number of students at Summit Elementary School is seeing an increase, which is not likely to change as the area around the school continues to be developed. Revised Referendum to be on the Spring Ballot in Sheboygan Falls A newly revised referendum will be on the ballot in Sheboygan Falls this spring. Sheboygan Falls School District Superintendent Zach Pethan has announced that, after reviewing community feedback, a $70 million referendum question targeting the district’s most critical needs will be present on the April 1st ballot. Despite MPS missing deadline, debate heats up on police in Milwaukee schools For a year, a Wisconsin law has required Milwaukee Public Schools to ensure 25 police officers are "present" during school hours. The school district has not yet met the requirements of Wisconsin Act 12, prompting a larger debate about the effects of school police, as well MPS' day-to-day reliance on the Milwaukee Police Department. Sevastopol Middle School Tops State Rankings Sevastopol Middle School received the highest score of any grade 6-8 middle school in the state on the 2023-24 report card produced by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI). The school’s accountability score improved by 3.2 points to 95.5 over the 2022-23 school year. The DPI assigns these accountability scores to each school based on numerous factors, including achievement and growth, particularly among underserved student groups. As state education agency cuts costs, DPI superintendent race heats up The state education department is freezing hiring, pausing discretionary spending and canceling out-of-state travel through the end of this school year to balance its budget. Who's to blame for the agency's budget squeeze could become a flashpoint in the state superintendent race this spring. $50 million to change how kids learn to read could end up in state surplus without action In Wisconsin, lawmakers have already agreed: Schools must update the way they teach kids to read. But $50 million to support those efforts has yet to be released by the Legislature's budget committee. And if that money goes unspent after June 30, it will go into the state surplus that as of October was $4.6 billion. Gov. Evers talks K-12 education, farming, and immigrants in visit to Rhinelander RHINELANDER, Wis. (WSAW) - A day after giving his seventh State of the State address, Governor Tony Evers is hitting the road to talk about it, making a stop in Rhinelander on Thursday. The governor touched on several things, including funding for K-12 education.
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