Wisconsin Education News

December 19, 2024

The Wisconsin Education News is a daily update of education news and events that are taking place around Wisconsin.


MTSD announces new executive director of business services

MEQUON — The Mequon-Thiensville School District has selected Andrew Sarnow as its next executive director of business services. The Board of Education approved Sarnow’s hire at its Dec. 16 business meeting. His first day in the role will be Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.

Fond du Lac Board of Education asking taxpayers to authorize the district to exceed the revenue limit by $10,000,000 per year for four years

The Fond du Lac Board of Education voted unanimously to go to referendum on April 1, 2025, asking taxpayers to authorize the District to exceed the revenue limit by $10,000,000 per year for four years for the 2025-2026 school year through the 2028-2029 school year for maintaining operations, maintenance expenses and providing for security upgrades in the District.

State office that responded to Abundant Life shooting has shaky future

A state agency that provided support to Abundant Life Christian School before and after Monday’s shooting is set to run out of funding in the middle of 2025, though state lawmakers say they will look to make its operations permanent. The Office of School Safety, housed in the Wisconsin Department of Justice, provided training and grant funding to the east Madison private school before the attack on Monday.

Two Edgar school staff also serving as EMTs

Staff and students at the Edgar School District are feeling especially safe these days with two licensed EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians) on staff.

Officials say 'swatting' calls received by MMSD are common after a school shooting

MADISON, Wis. — Following the school shooting at Abundant Life Christian School, Madison Metropolitan School District received many fake school shooting threats. 

More time to find the next superintendent for Milwaukee Public Schools

MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Board of School Directors reopens the job application window to find the next superintendent for Milwaukee Public Schools.

Wisconsin school property tax levies rise by $327 million, largest jump in 15 years

(WLUK) -- Property tax levies for K-12 schools are rising by more than $327 million on bills this month, according to preliminary data from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. That's a 5.7% increase over last December -- and the highest increase since 2009.

Cadott School Board - Technology is here, but there have to be boundaries

By Ginna Young Unless they’ve already instituted a strict cell phone policy, many school districts face the same challenge Cadott is right now. A change in cell phone policy in the student handbook was discussed at the board of education meeting Dec. 9. “Even as hard as I’ve been trying to enforce it, there’s still been some hiccups in the classrooms,” said Machler.

MPS delay on hiring officers could cost them state funding, GOP leader says

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee Public Schools could face financial consequences after the district failed to hire school resource officers. It's been nearly a year since a new law took effect requiring MPS to deploy 25 police officers, but the district has yet to comply. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) told CBS 58 that delay could cost MPS state funding in the 2025-2027 state budget.

Inmates wrap gifts for Green Bay school district

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – Inmates at Green Bay Correctional Institution are bringing joy and promoting literacy by donating hundreds of wrapped books to local students in the Green Bay School District. In the program’s fourth year, the partnership between the school district and the correctional institution has collected and donated 2,000 books for elementary students.

Whitewater School District sets $30 million April referendum

WHITEWATER — The Whitewater Unified School Board opted to put a $30 million referendum question on the April 1 ballot at a meeting Monday. The referendum would pay for bonds to fund the construction of additions and renovations at the high school, including in the kitchen and cafeteria, career and technical education and auditorium and tennis courts, according to the resolution approved by the school board.

Poynette High School adds programming for future teachers

Poynette High School is adding to their curriculum and their extracurriculars to offer support for prospective future educators. At the Poynette School District Board of Education’s Dec. 16 meeting, board members heard and approved a proposal for a new course to be called Education Policy: Truth and Myths, a three-credit elective open to juniors and seniors.

Neillsville School Board Approves Wrestling Co-ops, Donations, and More

The Neillsville School Board heard some presentations to start their meeting on Monday. Elementary Student Councilmembers and Advisor Chelsea Opelt gave a presentation on council projects. HS/MS Spanish Teacher Jodi Stokdyk shared her presentation from the state foreign language conference.

Raymond School resolves surprising 63-year deed oversight, secures property as collateral for $1.2M borrowing

RAYMOND, WI — A surprising discovery regarding the deed to Raymond School led to an unusual agenda item during the Dec. 17 school board meeting. Superintendent Michael Leach explained that the issue surfaced as the district worked with Community State Bank to finalize financial matters. The bank uncovered that the school district, which has occupied the property since 1961, had never officially recorded the deed to the land.

"We're in a phase of community healing": Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes sits down for one-on-one interview on school shooting investigation

MADISON (WKOW) -- Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes sat down with me to give an update on the investigation into the shooting at Abundant Life Christian School and where we go from here as a community. Here are excerpts from our conversation:

Superior students get real-world experience in manufacturing

Vocational education in high school is nothing new, but it can be particularly rewarding when students create real products that are marketed and sold by real businesses. That’s the logic behind Spartan Manufacturing, an enterprise at Superior High School that contracts with local companies to produce a variety of products while teaching students valuable skills in the process. 

Bangor B-Club Donates Gifts To Area Hospitals