Latest news with #WisconsinDepartmentofPublicInstruction
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
State suspends $26 million in aid to MPS over late finance reports
With Milwaukee Public Schools running behind on filing financial reports for a second year in a row, state officials are now withholding a total of about $42 million in state aid owed to the school district. The School District will be able to recoup the funds when it submits certain financial information and a creates a plan for meeting additional deadlines over the next year. District officials, who were notified June 5, have said the funding suspension won't cause any issues for staff or students. The total amount of funding being withheld includes a $16.6 million special education payment that has been withheld for a year because of the district's lack of progress on financial reporting. It also includes an additional two upcoming payments, newly announced to be withheld: about $17.4 in Special Education and School-Age Parents Aid, and about $8 million in Achievement Gap Reduction aid. State officials need MPS' financial reports, including audited financial statements from the 2023-24 school year, to calculate by July 1 how much state aid they should send to MPS and every other Wisconsin school district. All other districts have submitted the needed information, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Spokesman Chris Bucher said previously. Here's what to know. When MPS' financial reports were severely late last year, leading to the resignations of top administrators, state officials put the district on a corrective action plan to overhaul its accounting infrastructure. One of the root causes of MPS' failures: The district was using an accounting system that didn't align with the state's uniform financial accounting requirements. Inexperienced staff were using a homespun process to move data from MPS' system to the state's, causing delays and errors. And most of the positions responsible for financial reporting were vacant. Since then, the district has had a rocky road playing catchup on its financial reporting while replacing key positions. It has missed many of the dates it outlined in its corrective action plan. MPS' accounting system still doesn't align with the state's system. Staff are working to piece together accurate information from the district's faulty accounting systems, while also charting new systems to prevent the same issues in the future. The district hired a new chief financial officer, former Milwaukee Comptroller Aycha Sawa, in September, and a new superintendent, Brenda Cassellius, who started in March. Cassellius immediately faced multiple alarms, including a consultant's conclusion that the district urgently needed to restructure its central offices, and a spiraling lead-paint crisis with a facilities director who was under state investigation. Cassellius told the Journal Sentinel her focus recently had been on overseeing the cleanup of lead paint hazards. She has since taken over management of the late financial reports. As MPS approached a May 30 deadline to submit financial information to the state, Cassellius moved finance staff into her office suite to oversee their work completing the reports for DPI. Staff from DPI have also been on site to help MPS. The district signed an agreement last year to pay DPI up to $260,000 for the department's assistance between last July and the end of this June. Cassellius said she's been in contact with state officials daily and expects MPS to be able to submit the information DPI needs in time to calculate state aid payments. State Deputy State Superintendent Tom McCarthy has praised the district's progress under Cassellius' leadership. Cassellius said her goal is for the district's 2025-26 accounting to be done in a system that's fully compliant with the state's uniform financial accounting requirements. She said she plans to recruit additional contractors to support the finance office, which said could include consultants and project management experts. Cassellius, who recently published $1.549 billion budget plan envisioning a broad restructuring of the district's central office, also wants to add four staff positions to the finance office. The Milwaukee School Board, which last month approved members of a new external committee to provide advice on overseeing the district's financial practices and audits, plans to hold public hearings on Cassellius' budget plan June 12, June 17 and June 24. This story is developing and will update. Contact Rory Linnane at Follow her on X at @RoryLinnane. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: State suspends $26 million in aid to MPS over late finance reports
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Are cellphones banned in Wisconsin schools? District policies vary across the state
Most Wisconsin school districts have already restricted cell phone usage in the classroom in the fight for students' attention against digital distractions, says a new report from the Wisconsin Policy Forum. Districts across the nation are moving to restrict the use of cell phones in classrooms, although not all students and parents support that decision. In Wisconsin, about 90% of districts surveyed "already have some sort of restrictive cellphone policy in place," according to a Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction survey. Wisconsin school districts have implemented various cell phone usage policies, although most districts allow students to use cell phones in common areas, like cafeterias or hallways. Other districts are adopting much more restrictive policies and fully banning students from using their phone on school grounds. In a separate Pew Research survey, nearly three quarters of teachers surveyed said students being distracted by their cell phones is a "major problem in their classroom." Cell phone bans are mostly popular, depending on the level restriction, according to the Wisconsin Policy Forum report, which sited another Pew Research survey that found 68% of U.S. adults support a ban on middle and high school students using cell phones during instruction hours. Here's a breakdown of the latest report from the Wisconsin Policy Forum. RELATED: Republicans want to ban cell phones in classrooms. Do 90% of districts already do that? Researchers at the Wisconsin Policy Forum analyzed the results of a Digital Learning Survey by the state Department of Instruction. Among the more than 300 districts surveyed, about 43% of them said their policies permit cell phone use only in middle and high school common areas. Another 26% reported their polices only permit cell phones in high school common areas. About 20% of Wisconsin districts surveyed reported a full cell phone ban, and only about 10% had a non-restrictions policy. Smaller districts were more likely to report the strictest cell phone restrictions. About 36% of districts with 500 or fewer students had full cell phone bans. Districts in which students of color are a majority also reported more strict cell phone bans, according to the report. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 19 states already have a statewide ban or restriction of cell phone use in K-12 schools, according to the report. Wisconsin law makers are currently under debate for a law that would adopt a policy prohibiting the use of cell phones during instructional time. The bill has moved quickly. The Assembly passed it in mid-February, just weeks after lawmakers returned to the Capitol. Nearly every Republican voted for the bill and all Democrats voted against it. The bill now awaits a vote on the Senate floor before it heads to Gov. Tony Evers. Other Midwest states, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a law to ban cell phones for students during instructional time. Also, Illinois Gov. J.B. Prizker supports a ban of student cell phone usage in school. Hope Karnopp contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Cellphone bans in Wisconsin schools: What are district policies?
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
In surprise ceremony, 'Sra. Fink' from MPS' Milwaukee Spanish Immersion is named a Wisconsin Teacher of the Year
Before a gymnasium filled with cheering kids, second-grade teacher Toni Fink finally walked up to the microphone. "I have no secrets. I love all the kids, that's it," Fink said, as she made a heart gesture with her hands. Fink had just been named a Wisconsin Teacher of the Year 2026 in a surprise ceremony at Milwaukee Public Schools' Milwaukee Spanish Immersion School Upper Campus. Like her colleagues and their elementary students at the K4 through fifth-grade school, Fink hadn't been given a reason for the surprise schoolwide assembly on May 14. But the event quickly turned into a celebration with flying confetti and congratulations between tearful colleagues at the school where Fink has taught for over 25 years. "She was a little nervous this morning, everybody, because I think she knew something was different — the energy was different," said Principal Marybell Nieves-Harris. "We are just so happy." Nieves-Harris described what it was like to ask Fink, a longtime fifth-grade teacher, to switch to teaching second grade. "I said to her, 'Sra. Fink, you are so special that we need you at the beginning of second grade so that you can touch the lives of all the children by the time they're in fifth grade,'" Nieves-Harris said. Fink's mother, Pamela Sanicola, was among the group of family and friends who filed onto the school stage as the award was announced. Event organizers had sneaked them into the school without Fink knowing to join the ceremony. Sanicola said the family knew about the award for about a month in advance — and kept it a secret. "We've lied to her so much," Sanicola said. "She thought I was at the doctor's office." Sanicola said her daughter wanted to be a teacher since she was little. Now, she's the type who spends her summers at teacher institutes and exudes passion for the job. 'You would think it was her first day," Sanicola said. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction names five Teachers of the Year annually. For 2026, other award winners teach in Darlington, Mishicot, Sun Prairie and Greenfield. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jill Underly traveled from Madison to Milwaukee for the surprise ceremony. Addressing the crowd, she described Fink as a "fierce and caring advocate for her students and their families." As an example, she said that when Fink's students needed winter gear to enjoy recess outside, she decided to create a schoolwide drive for clothing. "While she brings a wealth of experience to her classroom, what makes her so beloved is that she never stops learning, growing and evolving. Her energy is contagious, and her joy for teaching lifts everyone around her," Underly said. Winners this year each receive $3,000 from the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation. For Fink, that money will be used to upgrade the school science lab. Fink is the fifth Milwaukee Public Schools educator to receive the award since 2020. During the ceremony, MPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius greeted the auditorium in Spanish. Then she asked the crowd of young kids to point to their teachers and support staff in appreciation of their work. "I am so impressed by you and your school and all of your amazing teachers here," Cassellius said. Marva Herndon, vice president of the MPS Board of School Directors, praised the immersion school's academics and focus on immersing kids in Spanish. "It is always a pleasure to be in the presence of professionals whose life work, 1, inspires an entire generation, No. 2, adds value to a student's self-worth and image, (and) No. 3 impacts the Milwaukee community through its daily efforts, without accolades," Herndon said. After an interview process, one of the five Teachers of the Year will represent Wisconsin in the Council of Chief State School Officers' National Teacher of the Year Program. Along with Fink, other Wisconsin Teachers of the Year for 2026 are: School: Darlington Elementary/Middle School in the Darlington Community School District According to DPI, "Acherman has taught in Darlington since 1994 and is known for his hands-on approach to science education, incorporating field trips, guest speakers, and community partnerships. He also coaches youth and school sports, advises STEM clubs, and helped found the Jim Huston Nature Trail – an outdoor classroom that connects students and the community to nature and science." School: Sun Prairie East High School in the Sun Prairie Area School District "Coyne leads both the Business Leadership Academy and the Sports, Entertainment, and Tourism Marketing Academy at Sun Prairie East. Through his work with Sun Prairie's Business Education Partnership, he has built strong relationships with local businesses and organizations to enhance learning and create leadership opportunities for students to make a difference in their community," DPI said. School: Glenwood Elementary School in the Greenfield School District "Dixon has taught second grade at Glenwood Elementary in the School District of Greenfield for the past 13 years. Known for her passion, advocacy, and leadership, she is deeply committed to empowering both students and fellow educators. Dixon creates academically rich and inclusive classrooms that nurture creativity, curiosity, and kindness. She also holds leadership roles at the district, community, and state levels," DPI said. School: O.H. Schultz Elementary School in the Mishicot School District "Van Hefty has dedicated the past 27 years to serving as a special education teacher at O.H. Schultz Elementary School in the School District of Mishicot. Throughout her career, she has been a champion for inclusive education and student advocacy, building strong, meaningful connections with her students, families, and colleagues. Van Hefty is widely recognized for creating nurturing, student-centered learning environments that foster growth, independence, and confidence," according to DPI. 2024: Claudia Heller de Messer, English as a second language teacher at Milwaukee Parkside School for the Arts 2021: Koren Jackson, special education teacher at Milwaukee Transition High School and Susan Richardson, Milwaukee German Immersion School 2020: Chad Spurzel-Wuchterl, art teacher at Reagan High School Cleo Krejci covers higher education, vocational training and retraining as a Report For America corps member based at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Contact her at CKrejci@ Follow her on Twitter @_CleoKrejci. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Teacher from MPS school named one of five 2026 Teachers of the Year
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
As part of $1 billion in school mental health cuts, Wisconsin loses roughly $8 million
When the Biden-Harris Administration awarded the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction $10 million over a five-year period to improve youth mental health services in December, it was the largest-ever expansion of K-12 mental health programs in the state to date. And it wasn't just Wisconsin. The investment was poised to help train and hire an additional 4,000 mental health professionals to schools nationally at a time when increasing mental health concerns among students compounded ongoing shortages of school-based mental health professionals. But May 2, it was learned that less than a year into the grant cycle, the federal Department of Education abruptly terminated the grant earlier in the week. Wisconsin DPI received an email titled "Notice of Non-Continuation of Grant Award" informing the state agency that the Trump administration had determined "not to continue your federal award … in its entirety, effective at the end of your current grant budget period." Nationally, the Trump administration discontinued $1 billion in grants that supported school-based mental health programs. The grants were funded through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, a landmark gun safety law passed in the wake of a massacre three years ago in Uvalde, Texas, that left 19 elementary school students and two teachers dead. Specifically, the Trump administration took issue with programs that educated mental health professionals about systemic racism and trained therapists to focus on race-related stress and trauma, among other things, said Madi Biedermann, a spokesperson for the Education Department, according to USA Today. So far, $2.2 million of the Wisconsin grant had gone toward expanding online certification pathways, developing 'grow your own' university programs for future school-based mental health providers, and offering statewide training and professional development to improve retention rates of mental health professionals. The remaining roughly $8 million will not be awarded. The 2024 grant was built off the success of a 2020 pilot grant from the federal government, which had put an additional 348 new mental health professionals into local education agencies across Wisconsin since the 2021-2022 school year. Wisconsin was one of a handful of states involved in the pilot program. In hiring more mental health professionals, the state also shrunk its troublingly high ratio of students to school-based mental health professionals by 14% at school districts selected for the pilot program. The pilot program was considered so successful that Wisconsin became one of 22 states to be awarded a five-year grant. Nevertheless, the Trump administration says the grant "no longer effectuates the best interest of the federal government.' DPI Superintendent Jill Underly called the decision to eliminate the grant indefensible at a time when communities have been pleading for help serving student mental health needs. 'These funds ― which Wisconsin used to make meaningful change for our schools ― were helping districts and our higher education partners develop new mental health professionals, providing a career opportunity for our current high schoolers," Underly said. "This action takes resources away from Wisconsin and disrupts the success efforts we've made to ensure qualified individuals are serving our kids." Now, DPI hopes that its historic proposal to invest more than $300 million in school mental health programs over the 2025-27 biennium makes its way through the Republican-controlled Legislature. The provision would invest in the now-stymied school-based mental health services program, expand aid for mental health care costs, invest in alcohol and drug abuse programs, add more mental health training across school staff, and extend peer-to-peer suicide prevention programs to middle schools. Success, however, is considered unlikely based on previous years. DPI had requested $278 million over the 2023-25 biennium, but received about $74 million in mental health services across K-12 Wisconsin schools. The 2021-23 biennial budget allocated less than half that amount ― $44 million ― into youth mental health services. 'Kids don't get a chance to do-over their school experience while the federal government recalibrates its political agenda,' Underly said. 'Federal funds are a critical part of our infrastructure, and these disruptions need to stop.' This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Trump cuts funds for mental health professionals in Wisconsin schools
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Yahoo
Rufus King High School teacher charged with sexual misconduct
A Rufus King High School teacher is facing sexual misconduct charges after an investigation was opened into her conduct last week. Erica Allemang-Reinke, 40, of Milwaukee, was charged April 21 in Milwaukee County Circuit Court with four felony counts of sexual misconduct by a school staff member or volunteer. If convicted, Allemang-Reinke could face up to $10,000 in fines, up to 3½ years in prison, or both, on each charge, according to the criminal complaint. A warrant was issued for her arrest April 21, according to online court records. School Principal Doreen Badillo sent a letter to parents April 16 saying a teacher was not working while an investigation was conducted. Badillo's letter did not name Allemang-Reinke. As of April 22, Allemang-Reinke's teaching license was listed as "under investigation," according to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. According to the complaint: Rufus King High School student-athletes approached a school resource officer April 15 alleging that Allemang-Reinke had been inappropriately contacting them throughout the current school year. Students said Allemang-Reinke asked for their cell phone numbers, sent them cash or gifts, made inappropriate comments and touched them inappropriately, the complaint said. One student said Allemang-Reinke texted them Feb. 9 saying she had a dream about the student. When the student asked Allemang-Reinke at school about the dream, she said it involved her and the student having sex. Allemang-Reinke apologized after the student told her they thought the comment was inappropriate. In March, the student said, Allemang-Reinke told them she could perform a sex act with the student. The student declined and avoided Allemang-Reinke afterward, the complaint said. Another student said Allemang-Reinke would call and FaceTime randomly. The student also said that, on one occasion, Allemang-Reinke caressed the student's inner thigh. The student was uncomfortable with that and moved her hand away. In another incident, Allemang-Reinke tried to sit in the student's lap, which the student did not allow. The student also said Allemang-Reinke texted them in the middle of the night saying she dreamed about the student. The student also said Allemang-Reinke told the student's friends she was upset that the student did not wish her happy birthday. The student told Allemang-Reinke she was acting weird and blocked her. In addition, the student said Allemang-Reinke sent them $700 through CashApp, the complaint said. A third student said Allemang-Reinke sent $296 through CashApp and bought shoes for the student. The student said Allemang-Reinke would rub the student's leg and shoulder during their conversations. One time, Allemang-Reinke said that if she and the student had children together, they would be beautiful because they would have the student's eyes, the complaint said. A fourth student said Allemang-Reinke used a hoodie she bought the student as a Christmas gift as something to hold over him. The student also said Allemang-Reinke inserted herself into a conversation students were having about their personal sex lives by making comments about her own sex life and commenting on the student's body, the complaint said. No hearing has been set yet, according to online court records. Allemang-Reinke did not immediately respond to a reporter's phone calls seeking comment. Contact Alec Johnson at (262) 875-9469 or Follow him on Twitter at @AlecJohnson12. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: MPS teacher charged with sexual misconduct
