The column below reflects the views of the author, and these opinions are neither endorsed nor supported by WisOpinion.com.
As students across Wisconsin settle into the rhythm of a new school year, October’s National Learning and Development Month gives a timely reminder: learning doesn’t just happen in the classroom. It’s supported by a network of professionals working behind the scenes to ensure schools are safe, efficient, and equipped to meet the evolving needs of students and educators.
In northwest Wisconsin, Cooperative Educational Service Agency 10 (CESA 10) fulfills that role every day. Our vision is simple: Listen. Lead. Serve. And as districts prepared to welcome students back this fall, CESA 10 was helping schools put their best foot forward.
Over the Summer, our Facilities Management team met with more than two dozen districts to prepare for potential environmental, health, and safety exposures. When mold concerns arose in some buildings, our Environmental Health and Safety experts responded immediately by conducting tests and ensuring that buildings were safe for students and staff.
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Meanwhile, our Construction Management team partnered with 10 districts on major renovation and addition projects. From boiler replacements to multimillion-dollar technical education wings, our team worked through an exceptionally wet summer to meet every deadline. The result? Students returned to modernized, safe, and functional learning environments, on time and on budget. As always, we’re helping districts be good stewards of taxpayer dollars.
But preparing for a new school year isn’t just about bricks and mortar. It’s also about equipping educators and students with the tools they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Our Educational Technology consultants spent over 30 days in districts this Summer, coaching staff and leading professional development sessions on topics such as how to responsibly use artificial intelligence in education and other pressing questions facing educators today.
Through our distance learning networks, we’re helping students overcome barriers tied to geography and resources. This Fall alone, 840 students enrolled in 99 courses, positioning them to earn more than 2,100 postsecondary credits. These courses were through Advanced Placement, technical college, and University of Wisconsin System classes, all of which expand opportunity and save families money. And it’s preparing students for long-term success.
Backstage, our Business Services team helped districts onboard new staff, streamline payroll and benefits, and implement more efficient financial software systems. These efforts free up time and resources, allowing school leaders to focus on what matters most: the students.
For students with unique needs, our Special Education and Pupil Services team was there to support transitions into 4-K classrooms, provide staffing assistance, professional development, and specialized equipment, such as Hearing Assistive Technology. Today, CESA 10 supports 147 students with hearing impairments across our region, ensuring every child has the tools needed to succeed.
Our Learning Services team plays a key role in preparing the resources and training educators on identifying and teaching essential standards. This includes working with school districts to support new teachers and mentors, as well as going into classrooms with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) lessons and challenges. To ensure students receive the well-rounded preparation they need, we also work with employers to facilitate youth apprenticeships, conduct mock interviews, and even job shadow opportunities.
All this work underscores the reality that learning and development don’t happen in isolation. They require collaboration, planning, and a deep commitment to service.
As we celebrate National Learning and Development Month, CESA 10 is proud to partner with educators, administrators, and the support teams who make learning possible. We help our districts maximize efficiencies and provide a world-class education, right here in Wisconsin – all while using tax dollars as efficiently as possible.
When our schools succeed, communities thrive. And when we invest in the systems that support learning, we’re not just preparing students for the future; we’re building it.
– Jordan Sinz is the agency administrator for CESA 10. He is a former district administrator and school principal.
