Wausau board approves use of Wisconsin academic standards for 2026–27 school year

The Wausau School District board voted to approve the use of the Wisconsin academic standards for the 2026–27 school year after a brief presentation by Dr. Katie Cowwell and Miss Shell explaining the standards’ role and state review cycle.

"The Wisconsin academic standards outline for districts the knowledge and skills students should acquire in each content area," Dr. Katie Cowwell said, adding that the standards guide lesson planning and instructional practice. She told the board the standards are reviewed by the Department of Public Instruction on a roughly six- to seven-year cycle; DPI plans a fall review this year focusing on dance, art and design, world languages and environmental literacy.

Board members moved and seconded a recommendation to the full board to adopt the standards for district use; one vote against was recorded, and the motion carried. The vote implements the annual notice requirement created by Wisconsin Act 55 and keeps the district aligned with state guidance.

The presentation did not change district curriculum resources immediately; presenters said the approval affirms continued use of the state standards as the foundation for local curriculum alignment and teacher planning. The board took no additional action beyond the vote to approve the standards' use for the coming school year.