Wisconsin Education NewsFebruary 19, 2026A daily update of education news and events that are taking place around Wisconsin. Milwaukee charter school Pathways High to expand to middle school As a parent and co-founder of the Milwaukee charter school Pathways High, Julia Burns has noticed a troubling trend: When students reach middle school, they often begin to disengage academically. Hoping to intervene before those "lost years" of learning, Pathways High is expanding to middle school grades starting next fall. The project-based charter high school plans to enroll 25 students in sixth through eighth grades for the upcoming school year. MMSD career and technical education students grow The Madison Metropolitan School District announced Tuesday that during the 2025–2026 school year, more than 4,500 MMSD high school students are enrolled in at least one career and technical education course, up from 3,890 just two years ago. More than 2,000 students are taking two or more courses, while over 200 are engaged in four or more classes aligned to a specific career pathway. Oshkosh high schoolers honor Black History Month with student-led Gallery Walk OSHKOSH, Wis. (WFRV) – The first of two Gallery Walk events from the Oshkosh Area School District kicked off on Wednesday evening as community members were invited to learn about Black History Month. The Gallery Walk at Oshkosh West High School began around 5 p.m. as students, families and community members walked throughout the O-Room, with projects and more on display. Wisconsin school districts seek funding relief amid property tax pressure MADISON — Wisconsin school districts are demanding state funding relief as families and schools buckle under mounting property tax pressure, while the state's $4 billion surplus has provided zero dollars to K-12 public education. Six districts in Sauk County have joined dozens of other schools across Wisconsin in requesting a funding compromise. The districts say the current system forces local property taxpayers to shoulder an unsustainable burden when education costs rise without corresponding state support. Red Apple students, staff celebrate potential on first day in new STEAM-focused building in Racine RACINE — Students at Red Apple school in Racine stepped into their brand-new building Wednesday, marking a fresh start focused on interactive learning and STEAM education. The new Racine Unified School District Building on Center Street was designed with Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics education at its core. Students immediately noticed the building's unique features that turn everyday infrastructure into learning opportunities. New limits on student cellphones in Wisconsin schools Starting July 1, 2026, every Wisconsin public school district must limit student use of personal cellphones and other wireless devices during instructional time. If you are a parent, this does not mean phones are banned statewide. It does mean your child’s school must have a policy that restricts use in class, with certain required exceptions. Surplus showdown: How the details of school funding are making all the difference in Evers-GOP talks MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Whether Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and GOP lawmakers strike a deal on how to use the state's projected $2.5 billion surplus will come down to whether there's compromise on the type and amount of school funding included in the agreement. Evers has signaled he won't sign a surplus spending bill unless there's a significant increase in funding for Wisconsin's general equalization aid formula, which is the primary source of state dollars for K-12 school districts. In the plan they've presented, GOP leaders would not put any additional dollars toward equalization aid. Wisconsin’s rural superintendents plea for compromise on school funding, property tax relief With just a few weeks left in Wisconsin’s legislative session, superintendents representing six rural school districts are asking lawmakers to stabilize school funding and provide relief to taxpayers. The Baraboo, Reedsburg, River Valley, Sauk Prairie, Weston and Wisconsin Dells school districts said it is time for state leaders to use the larger-than-anticipated state surplus to address both concerns. They are asking lawmakers to act before the end of the legislative session. County OKs park playground for school, public Ozaukee County supervisors have approved plans to add a playground, storage shed and make other improvements to the Sugar Maple Nature School located in Hawthorne Hills County Park. Supervisors on the Natural Resources Committee OK’d construction of a 2,000-square-foot natural playground and a 750-square-foot storage shed on the five-acre parcel the school leases from the county. Lodi School Board approves bids for roofing and solar energy projects The Lodi School District is on its way forward with two major facilities projects, with bids approved high school roofing renovation and installation of solar panels across district buildings. At the Lodi Board of Education’s Feb. 9 meeting, District Administrator Vince Breunig introduced roofing bids, that were discussed with contractor CG Schmidt, for construction over the summer as part of the work covered under the 2022 referendum. The Neillsville School Board began their meeting on Monday with a public hearing to hear a petition by Dale and Sadie Seif to detach a parcel of property from the School District of Loyal and attach it to the School District of Neillsville. Board President Sue Voigt opened the public hearing on a petition to alter school district boundaries and described the purpose of the hearing. Property owners Dale and Sadie Seif were not present. Green Bay's first trades fair connects high school students with career opportunities GREEN BAY (NBC 26) — Green Bay high school students got a firsthand look at career opportunities in the skilled trades during the city's inaugural Trades Day career fair, where nearly 50 local employers showcased job prospects to hundreds of area teens. The networking event aimed to address the growing demand for skilled trades workers in northeast Wisconsin and help build the region's future workforce. Gov. Evers visits Eau Claire North High School to highlight education EAU CLAIRE (WQOW) - On the heels of his final State of the State address, Governor Tony Evers (D-Wisconsin) stopped by Eau Claire North High School to meet with students and teachers on Wednesday. Both Gov. Evers and Jeff Pertl, Secretary of the Department of Children and Families, toured the high school. While there, they visited an art studio, a science class, and the library. Following the tour, Gov. Evers highlighted the difference in curriculum from when he was a teacher. WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Banting Elementary in Waukesha is one of just two schools in Wisconsin -- and one of 63 in the country -- to receive a nationwide honor of being named a 2025 National ESEA Distinguished School. It's a recognition that highlights schools making significant progress by using ESEA federal funds to enhance student education.
|