Wisconsin Education NewsDecember 10, 2025A daily update of education news and events that are taking place around Wisconsin. Action Alert: Urge Support For LRB 5599/1 and LRB 5695/1 Capitol Update 12-08-25: Governor Evers Vetoes K-12 Related Bills Charger Robotics brings ‘STEM Blast Off’ to elementary students VILLAGE OF LISBON — Hamilton High School’s Charger Robotics Team launched a new outreach event called "STEM Blast Off," which it took to area elementary schools in an effort to create curiosity and excitement about science, technology, engineering and math. "For many of us, it was incredibly meaningful to return to our old elementary schools and give back to the next generation," said Hamilton High School junior and Charger Robotics co-lead Abbie Dong. River Valley Elementary building sold, will become The Plain Clinic PLAIN, WIS. WRCO / WRCE) Following the closure of the Early Learning Center in Plain by the River Valley School District, District Administrator, Loren Glassbrenner, announced the sale of the building on WRCO’s Morning Show with Phil Nee. In Wisconsin, health care costs are overwhelming teacher salaries The average full-time teacher in Wisconsin makes $61,000 a year. But nearly 20 percent of that salary pays for health care benefits. The average member of the Wisconsin Legislature is also paid $61,000 a year but pays about half as much for their health care benefits. Educators and some legislators want to explore allowing school districts to purchase health insurance together to save money, similar to how other state employees pay for their benefits. Manitowoc Public School District Board of Education approves districtwide consolidation plan MANITOWOC, Wis. (WBAY) - The Manitowoc Public School District Board of Education approved a school consolidation plan in a 4-3 vote Tuesday night that will close Jackson and Madison elementary schools and reconfigure several others throughout the city. The district forecasted continued declining enrollment and decided now was the time to act. The district expects to save more than $6.5 million in operating costs over the next four years from this consolidation, and an additional $2 million annually with 44 fewer staff on its payroll. School district taxes up, state aid down The Prairie Farm School District will collect a $2,048,923 local tax levy for the 2025–26 school year. The levy represents an increase from the previous year as the district works to offset a significant decline in state aid. Prairie Farm is among the roughly 70% of Wisconsin school districts that received less general state aid for 2025–26. Of the state’s 421 districts, just over one-quarter saw an increase, while Prairie Farm faced one of the deeper cuts. State aid to the district dropped from $2,546,236 in 2024–25 to $2,292,402 for 2025–26, a reduction of more than $250,000 in a single year. WIAA denies Viroqua's request to move to Southwest Wisconsin Conference The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association rejected Viroqua's initial application to change athletic conferences on Tuesday. The realignment request was denied by a vote of 13-1, and the school has the opportunity to appeal the decision on January 8, though it has not yet decided whether to do so or not. The process began back on October 20 at a school board meeting when athletic director, Dan Brown presented the plan. At a later date the proposition was approved by the school board and presented to the WIAA. Menasha schools will consider going to an operational referendum Menasha schools are considering going to an operational referendum due to an anticipated annual $7 million deficit, according to a Dec. 8 presentation before the Menasha School Board. In making the case to the board, Superintendent Matt Zimmerman pointed to increasing operational costs, reduced state aid and existing budget reductions as reasons to consider going to referendum. The referendum could be on the ballot as early as the next spring election, according to the agenda. Green Bay schools considering weapons detection technology pilot program GREEN BAY (WLUK) — School safety continues to be top of mind for the Green Bay Area Public School District, and on Monday night, the board was presented with another recommendation. In an ongoing effort to keep students and staff safe, the district is now considering a pilot program for weapon detection systems. Augusta School District Receives Sim Flight Simulator From Students in Aviation The Augusta School District is thrilled to announce that they have received a SIA Sim Flight Simulator from Students In Aviation (SIA), a Wisconsin-based nonprofit dedicated to inspiring the next generation of pilots, engineers, and aerospace professionals! SIA (pronounced sigh-ah) is a completely volunteer-run 501(c)(3) organization founded by Joe Canepa, a commercial pilot and certified flight instructor. Since 2016, SIA has donated over 100 simulators to K-12 schools across the country, provided thousands of dollars in student scholarships, and trained more than 100 students through their free aviation ground schools. Here's Milwaukee Public Schools' plan to improve literacy MILWAUKEE — Improving literacy is a big focus for Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) this school year. The Nation’s Report Card shows Milwaukee had one of the lowest scores for fourth-grade reading in 2024. It was down eight points from 2022’s scores. District leaders said they're are working aggressively to improve their numbers. Over one-third of Wisconsin's youngest students face reading challenges Nearly 37% of Wisconsin students in 4-year-old kindergarten through third grade scored below the 25th percentile on early literacy assessments last school year, according to the state Department of Instruction. For Milwaukee Public Schools, over half of 4K through third graders – or about 12,500 students – tested below the 25th percentile, results from the exams show. The assessments are required under the state's 2023 literacy law Act 20. The screeners evaluate students on reading skills and identify children at risk of reading difficulty. 'Shocking, honestly': Logan Middle School students win grant for 'Blessing Bags' project LA CROSSE (WKBT) -- Logan Middle School students are turning their desire to help others into action, creating Blessing Bags for those in need with support from a local grant. The Student Council at Logan Middle School proposed the idea of Blessing Bags — small care kits filled with essential items for community members who may be struggling. Sen. Smith introduces bill to increase special education reimbursement rate Eau Claire, Wis. (WEAU) - The state of Wisconsin is seeing an increased need for special education services, but current reimbursement rates are not meeting that. The latest biennial budget passed with a 45% reimbursement rate for special education in public schools. However, in November, the Department of Public Instruction informed schools that rate would go down to 35%. That’s because the cost of services was estimated to increase by 4% but they actually increased by 9%.
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