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Next UW System President may come from outside academia

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The next head of the University of Wisconsin System may not come from academia. The system’s search committee on Friday talked about what they want to see in their next president.

The committee is not requiring the next president to have a doctoral degree. That means someone from the business or political world could get the job.

The next president simply needs 10 years of experience in a ‘significant senior executive position’ and an understanding of public higher education.

The Search Committee convened in December to begin the national search. Faculty, staff, students, and other stakeholders will have several opportunities to provide input on the qualities sought in the next UW System President.  The Committee also invites comments.

It is anticipated the new UW System President will be appointed in late spring.

Evers proposes effort to stop vaping by kids

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Governor Tony Evers is proposing a major effort to oppose vaping by kids. School districts around Wisconsin are reporting vaping is a problem not just in high schools, but in middle schools as well.

In addition to directing state agencies to do more on the issue, the Democratic governor also wants the Republican-controlled legislature to pass a package of bills. That would include a measure to ban vaping and vapor products on K-12 campuses.

Also expect Evers to talk about youth vaping during his State of the State address on Wednesday.

Madison school district names superintendent finalists

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The Madison Metropolitan School District has named three finalists in its search for a new superintendent. All three are from outside of Wisconsin, and are people of color.

Matthew Gutierrez is superintendent of the Seguin Independent School District in Seguin, Texas. Marguerite Vanden Wyngaard is an assistant professor of educational leadership at the College of St. Rose in Albany, New York and was previously superintendent of schools in Albany. George Eric Thomas is deputy superintendent and chief turnaround officer for the Georgia State Board of Education.

Thirty-one people applied for the position left open when Jennifer Cheatham announced in May that she was leaving for a position at Harvard University.

With an enrollment of approximately 25,000 students in 46 schools, MMSD is the second largest school district in Wisconsin behind the Milwaukee school district.

Teen arrested for making threats to schools in Stevens Point

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Stevens Point police have arrested a teen for making repeated threats to schools.

The Point Metrowire reports that the unnamed 15-year-old boy was arrested on Monday.

The boy is accused of making four separate threats to district buildings last week. Assistant Chief Tom Zenner says they suspect more students have information and they’re asking them to come forward.

The boy is expected to face charges of making terroristic threats. 

Madison East students find hidden cameras in hotel rooms

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Minneapolis police are investigating discovery of tiny cameras in rooms occupied by students from Madison East High School who were in the Twin Cities for a conference.

MMSD officials are confirming hidden cameras were found in the student’s hotel rooms during a field trip last weekend in Minneapolis. The district has put a staff member on leave in response to the incident as a cautionary measure.

Minneapolis police are releasing little information on the ongoing investigation but did say they are trying to determine who installed the devices. The Hyatt Regency hotel involved is cooperating with the investigation.

Minnesota News Network

Onedia Nation will show video at Lambeau on Sunday

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Wisconsin’s Onedia Nation will have a message for football fans this weekend in Green Bay. The Packers host Washington Sunday, and a video highlighting the Oneida will be shown on Lambeau Field’s Jumbotron.

Outside the stadium, protests will take place against Washington’s name and logo, seen as offensive by natives and non-natives alike. Onedia Public Relations Director Bobbi Webster said the video is a chance to educate people about who the Oneida are, not just what they’re against.

Capitol rotunda Holiday Tree is lit

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It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas – or the Holidays, if you will – at the Wisconsin Capitol. Over the noon hour on Friday, Governor Tony Evers flipped the switch to illuminate the Capitol Holiday tree.

The Medford High School choir sang a variety of Christmas carols, including “O Christmas Tree.” The rotunda evergreen was was officially called a Holiday Tree beginning in 1985, before Governor Scott Walker called it a Christmas tree in 2011.

This year’s 30′ tree comes from the Medford area and celebrates science, with ornaments made by Wisconsin school kids.
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School board discusses tax hike for Milwaukee Public Schools

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Milwaukee Public Schools are getting ready to ask voters to support a property tax hike for the first time in nearly 20 years. 

One version would almost double the tax levy so about two-thousand teachers could be hired.  That 640-million dollar proposal is called the “gold standard.”

A 320-million dollar referendum would add just under one-thousand teachers and staff members to the district.

Shorewood schools open after ‘hit list’ scare

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Schools are open Thursday in the Shorewood district, after the arrest of a 14 year-old high school student found in possession of a “hit list” and a loaded magazine in his backpack. “As the superintendent and father of two daughters in the district, I understand that this is a very difficult situation for all of us,” Superintendent Bryan Davis said during a Wednesday press conference.

Police said another student saw the “hit list” in a notebook and reported it to school staff. Officers found the gun the magazine went with off campus. Davis said the district will be doing whatever is necessary to support students. “Certainly safety is a priority. We also want to make that the student who is in trouble in this situation, we can also offer some guidance and support.”

A student who saw the “hit list” confided in an adult. Police found the list and a loaded magazine in the boy’s backpack, and the gun was located off campus.

DPI releases report card for Wisconsin schools

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The latest “report card” is out on the performance of Wisconsin schools. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction says 87-percent of schools met or exceeded expectations in the 2018-2019 school year. That number was even higher for public schools, at 96-percent.

Schools were measured on student achievement, student growth, closing gaps between student groups, and college-readiness.