[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",5976883,"mediaKeyId","5834904-83ab4d27c256123232d9f6b04b821a62","parentId",5834904,"title","Superintendent says two federal special‑education grants were canceled; DPI plans to appeal","audioSeconds",63,"startMs",86000,"endMs",149000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5834904-83ab4d27c256123232d9f6b04b821a62&start=86&end=149","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5834904-83ab4d27c256123232d9f6b04b821a62/thumbnail_86000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5976883/Wisconsin/Superintendent-says-two-federal-specialeducation-grants-were-canceled-DPI-plans-to-appeal","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976883-06b1715c09029d973c76247d752f97a0/orig.mp4?Expires=1773614403&Signature=YyhikJUssNn6W4~BHoXPEZysKQ9lwocoYe3mpKIM2HTCNmYI2umOWSFvH7hCmXzYSjwgMTz5jTQfFaaeoOc~kmX70QrSqd5WE-OmjoOLmVT5fXeDSpuSbKui-XGVjhQT-sc~n0e-6csnE-jUJr5JsABSsZVuDQaXqYLrTWVk~2wvUXM1aSWFMWR8x1TG3lNXdms6C6CI0P4G-OZa0hBnjfvAQ~K9QgcuZW7K7qbAG2n1auB0z3BJc1pXepxjKHBEZJg19E6TI1snUhpBktPjZr17~X9NZqvO5sqEgZ6~X3EDJMECAr5HEocoQIvkQj2mBdq-ey5vQaCLeQIGqKh7cw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","West-Allis-West Milwaukee School District","date","2025-09-23T00:00:00Z","article","The West Allis‑West Milwaukee superintendent told the school board on Sept. 22 that two federal grants that supported special‑education recruitment and services had been canceled and that the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction plans to appeal the federal decision.

Dr. Robinson said the Wisconsin Deaf Blind Technical Assistance Project (WDBTAP), which served about 170 students with vision or hearing loss and provided assistive technology, family support and professional training, was ended by the federal government. He also said the State Personnel Development Grant (SPDG) — part of a five‑year cycle that funded programs such as a Special Educator Induction Program supporting roughly 280 new special educators — was canceled. The district noted the cancellations come amid staffing shortages for special‑education roles at state and national levels.

Dr. Robinson told the board that DPI plans to appeal the decision to end both grant programs and that the loss of funding will affect recruitment and retention efforts for special‑education teachers. No formal action by the board was taken; the remarks were reported in the superintendent’s verbal update.

Ending: Administration said it will monitor DPI’s appeal and report back to the board on potential local impacts and any mitigation steps the district may take.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board Meeting 9-22-25","oneSentenceSummary","Superintendent Dr. Robinson told the board two federal grants that supported recruitment and services for special‑education teachers and deaf‑blind students were canceled; the Department of Public Instruction will appeal the federal decision, district staff said.","taxTitle","West Allis-West Milwaukee School District, School Districts, Wisconsin","taxId",38401,"location","Wisconsin","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5976889,"Field house progresses; board hears multi‑school referendum construction plan and savings reallocation",3171,3169000,6340000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5834904-83ab4d27c256123232d9f6b04b821a62&start=3169&end=6340","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5834904-83ab4d27c256123232d9f6b04b821a62/thumbnail_3169000.jpg","/articles/5976889/Wisconsin/Field-house-progresses-board-hears-multischool-referendum-construction-plan-and-savings-reallocation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976889-b64e50f1397d85bc66634136a35762db/orig.mp4?Expires=1773614403&Signature=EgBZ5Uqk63EWw7ZZnOfmdd-bRJGTyhWTNl19MsmJDAiYhBnTTgF0nN3Dmbv6VzQIGWIjb8sEnoa7PJONQd4qmO4f99owyJcMtBRBgBM6TywuOh03yZnG~tM7qU6A~NYTDdUCj4y7IVEHJtpJoEz1O~nq~Hn1ae3CLLtdAejtCm170vG1iSu-Yn7HvKBcfSzWkgNPI0OoHqZP-W-Tlasn01-CEiAQsUjl4kjNjIDmuYBrquz8RDzGOLeerZtMlvv5ZEThIcE5wHAYBuQs9bG4ANUyLnkIHu1~67ZNxeeB2sOmjeQD-EW9pMMhf2DgyBmUZTcWPsCYV2j3lvlDXsvmuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff and construction partners updated the West Allis‑West Milwaukee School Board on Sept. 22 about referendum‑funded construction projects and plans for the 2026 work season, highlighting quick progress at Nathan Hale’s field house and potential reallocation of savings to elevators and bathroom renovations.

Superintendent Dr. Robinson opened the session by praising construction lead Bill Smith and the project team for rapid progress on the field house. Presenters showed a time‑lapse and outlined completed items (Nathan Hale gym floor replacement, several roofing projects) and projects in progress (field house demolition, remediation of mercury‑contaminated flooring, concrete work, HVAC rough‑ins).

District staff said the contractor removed the old gym floor and poured new concrete for the wood‑floor inset, remediated mercury in the old flooring, and planned finish work — drywall, paint and new flooring installation — leading to a projected late‑November/December substantial completion for the field house. The district expects a major community event around the first large gym event, contingent on occupancy approval; administrators are targeting a November basketball event as the first full use.

Staff reported some roofing projects came in under budget; remaining savings at Pershing (where roofing had been partly completed pre‑referendum) are being evaluated to fund an elevator at Pershing. The district said it is in the design and engineering phase for the elevator and that an elevator location has been tentatively identified.

Other 2026 projects discussed included: bathroom remodels and entrance/locker‑room improvements at Central; a targeted gym HVAC and ceiling replacement at Doty (steam leak remediation, rooftop units planned with asbestos remediation required during work); boiler and chiller replacement at West Milwaukee (long equipment lead times expected); and pool assessments at multiple schools, with the West Milwaukee pool singled out as likely impractical to bring up to current code without extensive reconstruction.

On procurement and market conditions, CG Schmidt’s project executive said tariffs have not produced a major sustained cost spike across projects, though lead times for certain items (lockers, electrical gear, HVAC units) have fluctuated and are monitored. The team emphasized completing grouped projects at each school in one mobilization to limit repeated disruptions and construction mobilization costs.

Ending: The board was invited to a site tour of the field house on Oct. 6 and 7; district staff said they will return with another update this winter as designs for 2026 projects are finalized and bid packages are prepared.","District staff and contractors updated the board on phase‑one referendum projects including the Nathan Hale field house (in active construction), roofing work, and plans to use savings for elevator and bathroom improvements at Pershing and other schools.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5976894,"Board approves January 2026 health‑insurance renewal after negotiations reduce projected increase to 11%",224,2438000,2662000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5834904-83ab4d27c256123232d9f6b04b821a62&start=2438&end=2662","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5834904-83ab4d27c256123232d9f6b04b821a62/thumbnail_2438000.jpg","/articles/5976894/Wisconsin/Board-approves-January-2026-healthinsurance-renewal-after-negotiations-reduce-projected-increase-to-11","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976894-dc34fffe1217c2d3b4d02b2c8efcc103/orig.mp4?Expires=1773614403&Signature=RrKxeemMoh4QZ~OQkQK-WKph~7Y4hjwW2fTqC9NFsr~~qFRvRorsFSK09HOls3Och1f1uBiaLtt1nvT2zrOh-S85vhvRgx7rgfsAOzmTiyG-jLhxuu4VsGvzem98Y2fYy27KKLFCmd1SsRTpYt0WwZPPZENbLKX2KKkbMG9FVNwkmTlvMBrg8xrVESc~2lQhrU0UJZS9n8Js03G-~LfPCgkdE647HimFQe0NdsyzWIhQ8e5tkrSAYa-h19zUR02pEEpHDGziJLVMziavSu~Al6AKLyNeu1jjmMsCKIxXGSK3yaVf3Tcvh-GtSH1pCJwEiqIunDsjzNgZ12MLu9QOgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Allis‑West Milwaukee School Board approved the district’s recommended health‑insurance renewal for January 2026 on Sept. 22 after the district’s broker and carriers negotiated a package that reduced initial renewal estimates.

District staff said an initial renewal estimate from UnitedHealthcare under the district’s Nexus ACO plan returned 23.9% year‑over‑year. Competing bids from Anthem (35%) and Network Health (37.9%, with an 80% disruption estimate for employees if Aurora hospitals were excluded) were also received. Following negotiations and plan design changes, the administration recommended an 11% increase for January 2026.

Recommended changes that contributed to the lower renewal included increasing prescription copays by $10 per tier, reducing wellness funding from $7.50 to $5.50 (dollars that had supported staff gym equipment and related wellness items), and removing a nurse‑liaison position that had been included in the 2022–23 renewal package. District staff and the board noted the local market offered limited competing bidders in the RFP process.

The administration presented the renewal as a compromise to limit premium increases while avoiding larger network disruption for employees. The board voted to approve the renewal on a motion and second; the president declared the motion passed with no opposition voiced on record.

Ending: Administration said it will continue to monitor employee impacts and provide follow‑up information; the district indicated the RFP process produced limited bidders and that staff will communicate plan details to employees before the January effective date.","The district approved a negotiated UnitedHealthcare renewal package that reduced an initial 23.9% renewal to an 11% premium increase for January 2026, contingent on benefit changes including higher prescription copays and reduced wellness funding.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5976900,"Board adopts extracurricular, co‑curricular handbook with new longevity incentives for coaches",966,1450000,2416000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5834904-83ab4d27c256123232d9f6b04b821a62&start=1450&end=2416","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5834904-83ab4d27c256123232d9f6b04b821a62/thumbnail_1450000.jpg","/articles/5976900/Wisconsin/Board-adopts-extracurricular-cocurricular-handbook-with-new-longevity-incentives-for-coaches","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976900-d2220c1ddca30333c034ed41ccc80ef2/orig.mp4?Expires=1773614403&Signature=D~xOrU44M9QHJGBM4NhfWyMTK~4JRLpXJVMMIDsAY0b7cggMkX~TdBsFgiNjV8T2axaq4dqQ7dtFO3AHIDv-7pejBkmipnozEA7Vl2A~L4r0qPpp3TJdbqd4y3dytw1mGHfX8bO16DIo5VGyDcJqdJVcQOL-Ick9hpu-hwHo6mAaEF4C9iXEtB3XKj1BqSJ2AsVLYVd1M3TCb8Ovd7WK89mLEvgrgggK4jFo2J7NI5snVEnlp9AtTUy3aNtfGY4lUsj8~-aOsK4IBP10IVcByZaiY~ergqRkMxLluHk79yRXvTa0HR-a1KataoljRel638pg7RdJP1Ht7hSw0OAwqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Allis‑West Milwaukee School Board on Sept. 22 approved the district’s 2025–26 extracurricular and co‑curricular handbook, a revised guide the administration says standardizes stipend calculations and introduces longevity incentives for assistant as well as head coaches.

The handbook, presented to the board as a recommendation under board policy 03/2008, lays out how stipends are determined, how schools request co‑curricular dollars and how longevity bonuses are paid. “The amounts you see in the handbook are what we feel is regionally competitive,” the presenter said, adding that coaches with three to five years of service would receive an additional $250 and coaches with more than five years would receive an additional $500.

Board members pressed for clarity about how stipend amounts are posted and communicated to applicants. The handbook clarifies that stipends are maximums and that head coaches may allocate available stipend dollars among assistant coaches. The administration said the handbook will be posted on the district website after board approval and that schools will use an hours‑based calculation (hours x hourly rate x number of weeks) when projecting pay for club advisors.

Board discussion also covered comparables in nearby districts, with the presentation noting Waukesha and Cudahy offer “years of service” incentives and Wauwatosa uses season length to set different pay tiers. Several board members asked whether stipend amounts should appear on job postings; administration said head‑coach postings will list the position but not a specific stipend because assistants’ allocations vary with team structure, though the handbook will be linked from postings as a reference.

The board approved the handbook by voice vote. The motion and second were recorded and the president declared the motion passed; no board member voiced opposition during the roll call.

What this means: The handbook sets a clearer, repeatable process for awarding stipends and for schools to request co‑curricular funds. Administration said it will bring the handbook for annual review each April during the compensation process to ensure regional competitiveness and to incorporate feedback from schools.

Ending: The handbook will live on the district website and be shared with schools and athletic directors; administration said it will continue to study how stipend information is presented in job postings to balance transparency with recruiting effectiveness.","The West Allis‑West Milwaukee School Board approved a revised 2025–26 extracurricular and co‑curricular handbook that standardizes stipend calculations, adds longevity bonuses for assistant and head coaches, and formalizes how schools request club/co‑curricular funding.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Superintendent says two federal special‑education grants were canceled; DPI plans to appeal

Field house progresses; board hears multi‑school referendum construction plan and savings reallocation

Board approves January 2026 health‑insurance renewal after negotiations reduce projected increase to 11%

Board adopts extracurricular, co‑curricular handbook with new longevity incentives for coaches