WiRSA (Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance) - Strong Schools - Strong Communities
WiRSA Conference 2026 ”Celebrating Innovation and Resilience”
WiRSA Conference Room Reservations - OPEN NOW!
Rate: $101.00 Single Occupancy State Rate - $124.00 Double Occupancy State Rate
Guests can book their reservations online 24 hours a day by using the following link: Holiday Inn Express: WiRSA Conference 2026
Making reservations over the phone, please call 715-344-0200 and press #1. When making reservations, please reference the group name, WiRSA Conference 2026, or the Group Block Code: WIR.
Group rate will be available until 09/28/2026 (or until the block is full). Remaining rooms in your will be released for general reservations at the hotel's prevailing daily rate, which may be higher than your group rate.
BOOK YOUR ROOM TODAY!
WiRSA Conference Registration- OPEN NOW!
Thursday, October 29 & Friday, October 30, 2026
Welcome Reception
Wednesday, October 28, 2026 - 6:00 p.m.
Stevens Point Convention Center - Stevens Point, WI
A conference for administrators, board members, teachers, CESA employees, higher education professionals, public library administrators, elected officials, and citizens passionate about rural school and community issues.
WiRSA Conference - CALL FOR PROPOSALS
“Celebrating Innovation & Resilience” focuses on how rural schools thrive by responding to challenges and limitations with creative solutions. Breakout sessions will align with one of the following tracks:
Resource Management & Collaboration: Strategies for utilizing limited resources; managing budgets; addressing declining enrollment; and responding to community needs, such as school-sponsored child care or health care/mental health partnerships.
Technology & Future Readiness: Focusing on emerging technologies, preparing students for a workforce shaped by AI, and leveraging AI tools for school leaders.
Educational Pathways & Programs: Highlighting innovative educational programs and effective classroom practices, including Academic and Career Planning (ACP), high school pathways, dual credit options, and the development of partnerships with higher education and businesses.
Proposals are due by Friday, June 26, 2026
Informational Update on the Lawsuit “Wisconsin PTA, et.al. V. Wisconsin Assembly”
Click the Logo above to access the website
In February 2026, Wisconsin community members, school districts, and education associations filed a lawsuit against the Wisconsin State Assembly, Wisconsin State Senate, and members of the Joint Committee on Finance – Wisconsin PTA, et.al. V. Wisconsin Assembly.
Upcoming Training Opportunities from Office of School Safety
Virtual Event: Protecting Students from Online Threats
Thursday, April 30 | 9:00 - 10:00 AM CST
The Office of School Safety (OSS) is pleased to join the DOJ’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) in a virtual learning opportunity for school safety partners.
During this session, experts from ICAC will brief participants on current online trends adversely impacting youth—including sextortion of children—and update participants on ICAC’s efforts to address these ever-growing concerns.
ICAC and OSS will share actionable recommendations to prevent online harm and provide guidance on how to respond effectively to youth facing online threats, sextortion, and grooming. OSS will present information about Speak Up Speak Out and how they are partnering with ICAC to keep kids safe in schools and home.
See event flyer for more information. Click here to register.
Preparing for a Safe Graduation Season: Virtual Presentation on Non-Classroom Events
Wednesday, April 15 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM
OSS is hosting a virtual presentation on preparing for non-classroom events with a focus on upcoming graduations. Information will be shared on assessment of events and venues, creating Incident Action Plans and best practices related to hosting safe and secure non-classroom events.
Click here to register. If you have any questions, please email Patrick Baldwin at patrick.baldwin@wisdoj.gov.
Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) Training Sessions
OSS will be providing opportunities statewide for BTAM training in 2026. Dates and locations are listed below. Please note a Virtual Training has been added to the schedule in May. Registration links are also available on the OSS Training Opportunities webpage. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Threat Assessment Specialist, Sue Williams, at Susan.Williams@wisdoj.gov.
Wednesday, April 8 – Mosinee School District – Mosinee
Wednesday, April 22 – Mosaic Technologies Training Center – Cameron
Tuesday, May 5 (part 1) and Tuesday, May 12 (part 2) – Virtual
Thursday, June 11 – Menasha High School – Menasha
For more information on trainings with OSS, please visit our Training Opportunities webpage.
Governor Evers Signed Bills and Vetoes
2024 Update: What's the Cost of Teacher Turnover? (tool)
This tool can be used to estimate the cost of teacher turnover in a school or district and can inform local conversations about how to attract, support, and retain a high-quality teacher workforce.
Where do teachers want to teach? This map rates each state on teaching attractiveness and teacher equity based on factors such as wage competitiveness and working conditions, and highlights whether states are likely to have an adequate supply of qualified teachers to fill their classrooms.
Policy Intelligence and Education News
Wisconsin School Safety Coordinators Association
