Before yesterday, February was the only month that Wisconsin had never recorded a tornado touchdown. Well, history was made in Southern Wisconsin last night.
Tornadoes in February, a first in Wisconsin’s recorded history – WKOW
If you’re a parent or grandparent of school-aged kids, you’re probably aware of issues with school bus transportation in Wisconsin. The problem is real. It’s significant. And it’s growing.
The Green Bay Press Gazette looks at a recent Wisconsin Policy Forum study that examines the situation. This impacts student safety, learning and trickles into the workforce of every sector of the economy.
Wisconsin has lost almost 20% of its school bus drivers and is expected to lose more – Green Bay Press Gazette
The school bus drivers who are licensed are aging. About 23% are at least 65 years old.
Bus driver retirements are likely to outpace declining student enrollment, causing larger student to bus driver ratios.
“This driver shortage likely will continue to impact school bus and transit services for the foreseeable future and may well intensify,” the report said.
Here’s a link to the full report.
Sticking with educational matters, the establishment at the Department of Public Instruction thinks its ok for habitually truant students to be promoted to the next grade, even if they miss six weeks of school a year.
State schools chief opposes effort to keep kids in school – The Center Square
On to higher ed, UW-Madison is going to go on a hiring spree. No word if these professors will spend a lot of time with students or if they’ll leave the ‘heavy lifting’ to their teaching assistants. Tenure, baby, isn’t it wonderful?
UW-Madison to size up its faculty ranks, hiring up to 150 more professors – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
There’s news of more Hail Mary passes from the GOP when it comes to the redistricting hypocrisy of the State Supreme Court.
Wisconsin Republicans urge state Supreme Court to reject redistricting report’s findings – Associated Press
We end this week’s Key Reads with a feel-good story. You don’t have to be a sports fan to admire Tom Grossi’s accomplishments. He leveraged the best of sports fandom and social media to raise a half a million dollars for charity. The NFL has recognized this Packers’ fan and we join in the salute!
Green Bay Packers fan Tom Grossi named 2023 NFL Fan of the Year – WFRV
No tornadoes are forecast for the next few days at least. Enjoy your weekend.
