Stories tagged: "schools"


Matt Atkinson said there have been a lot of boos and jeers throughout his two decades officiating, but he still has a passion for the job.  Photo courtesy Matt Atkinson
The Reason Behind Wisconsin’s Referee Shortage? Unruly Spectators.

Games are being rescheduled, postponed, and even canceled because there aren’t enough officials available, and the WIAA is pointing to parents as the problem. On a typical Thursday or Friday night, Matt Atkinson of Eau Claire can be found on a football field or basketball court. Now starting his 24th year as an official for...

Families attend "Jammin' with the Arts Night" with their students, at an Eau Claire elementary school.
3 Ways to Get Involved in Your Local School District

For all of the talk about ‘parents’ rights,’ there are already many opportunities for community members to become personally invested in their local schools and find out first-hand what’s happening.

Yielding to pedestrians crossing at crosswalks is Wisconsin law. Photo Courtesy Green Bay Area Public School District
Pedestrian Crashes Are Up in Wisconsin: What Drivers, Walkers Need to Know

Plus–one city’s flashy solution to fix it. Many Wisconsin communities are extremely walker-friendly. But the state Highway Safety Association is issuing a warning: the number of car-pedestrian crashes is growing. Fatal crashes grew by 50 percent in 2022, according to a report by the Governor’s Highway Safety Association. That’s in line with the national trend:...

Janet Oligny Lunch Lady
Wisconsin School Districts Face Another Year of Staff Shortages

The number of public school teachers in Wisconsin has held at about 64,000 for the past few years, but school districts statewide say it's not enough to overcome a shortage of teachers in classrooms.

Students get off the bus on their first day for the 2023-2024 school year in Black River Falls. Photo Courtesy Black River Falls School District
Wisconsin School Year Start Dates–Explained

Why some districts start mid-August, while others wait ‘til after Labor Day.   Over the years, there’s been a lot of discussion over the school start date being before or after the September holiday. By state statute, the school start date is Sept. 1. Why Sept. 1? First, it gives families a few more weeks...

(Submitted photo)
SPECIAL EDITION: Our Daily Newsletter Goes Back to School

It’s on every one of us to do what we can to help children become good people, great learners, and tomorrow’s leaders. CLICK HERE to view our special newsletter for Back-to-School in Wisconsin. As you read the stories in this special edition of our newsletter, we hope they inspire you to consider taking on some...

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Evers Wants All Wisconsin Students to Eat for Free. Here’s Why That Hasn’t Happened (Yet)

One in eight school-aged kids living in Wisconsin comes from a family where food is hard to come by, while many more are living on the edge: their families can afford food, but that means cutting into their clothing budget or college savings. Gov. Tony Evers has a solution: Provide free breakfast and lunch for every K-12 student in Wisconsin.