View as a webpage  /  Share

Date 07/17/2026

Director of Special Education and Pupil Services

Timely Information

New DPI Student Services Section Leader

Please welcome Crystal Holmes as the section leader for the Student Services Section in the Bureau of Teaching of Learning, in the Division of Academics.  The Student Services Section supports Wisconsin schools in areas including Pupil Services, Safe Schools, School Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse, and other areas related to Student Services.  Crystal brings experience in student services, special education, school mental health, compliance, and systems-level leadership. Prior to joining DPI, she served as the Director of Student Services and Special Education for the Adams-Friendship Area School District, where she supported districtwide work related to pupil services, mental health supports, behavior systems, and special education programming. She is passionate about building student-centered systems, supporting strong collaboration, and partnering with schools and communities to improve outcomes for learners across Wisconsin. Outside of work, Crystal enjoys spending time with her family, cheering on her daughter in gymnastics, and being involved in her local community.

New Special Education Program Advisor   

Please welcome Tessa Freedberg as the Special Education Program Advisor in the Division of Academics. The role of the Special Education Program Advisor is to coordinate the state’s work to improve outcomes for students with disabilities through the delivery of quality instruction and services and to ensure compliance with the legal requirements of state and federal special education law for students to receive a free appropriate public education. Tessa brings a wealth of knowledge and experience working with Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) programs, both in Wisconsin and nationally. Tessa served as the Program and Policy Analyst for Wisconsin’s IDEA Part C program, known as the Birth to 3 Program, within the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, and consulted on IDEA Part C and B for Wested, a national technical assistance center. Tessa is extremely passionate about special education and is excited to join DPI to focus on IDEA Part B. Outside of work, Tessa enjoys baking homemade sourdough and exploring all the restaurants in Madison! 

Other DPI News

Ed Leaders Dispatch, July 14 30, 2026

• Early School Start Rule Changes Effective Aug. 1
• 2025 Youth Risk Behavior (YRBS) Reports Available 
• Be Air Aware During Wildfire Season 
• Digital Learning Survey: Thank You for Your Feedback 
• Reminder: America 250 Statutory Requirement

Ed Leaders Dispatch, June 30, 2026

• Required District Wireless Communication Device Policy Submission Now Open 
• General School Aid Estimates Available July 1 
• Reminder: New Learning Management System Available for Wisconsin Educators
• Reminder: America 250 Statutory Requirement

News Releases

• DPI Releases 2026-27 General Aid Estimates Following Second Consecutive Year of Flat State Funding, July 01, 2026
• DPI, DFI Launch Grant Initiative to Strengthen Financial Literacy Education, July 01, 2026

DAC Digest, June 17, 2026

Upcoming Learning Events

WESPDHH Outreach Summer Institute July 15-August 13

Join the WESPDHH Outreach Summer Institute for a variety of professional learning workshops designed for anyone who works with students who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deafblind, or anyone interested in learning more. New workshops are offered each day, providing opportunities to learn, connect, and grow your practice. Explore the schedule and workshop offerings here: Summer Institute Link

Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) Training Sessions

The Office of School Safety (OSS) will be providing both virtual and in-person opportunities for BTAM training this summer. Summer BTAM training provides school and law enforcement professional development options outside the busy academic calendar and when teams are making plans for the upcoming school year. Training dates and sites are listed below. Registration links are available on the OSS Training Opportunities webpage. Please consider joining us!

• August 4 and August 5 – Virtual
• Wednesday, August 12 – Theisen Middle School – Fond du Lac
• September 24 and September 30 – Virtual

For more information on training, please visit the Training Opportunities webpage.

DPI School Nurse Summer Institute

The Department of Public Instruction will host a School Nurse Summer Institute on August 3, 2026 in Cottage Grove, Wisconsin. This year’s institute is titled “Child/Adolescent Sexual Abuse and Dating Violence Awareness and Training for School Nurses.”  Little professional development is offered on these topics for school nurses. Studies have shown that the school nurses did not initially talk about nor mention child sexual abuse (CSA) as one form of child abuse in spite of their obligation as professionals to report suspected CSA. School nurses may be the first adults teens to confide in when experiencing dating abuse and, as such, need to be equipped to recognize the warning signs as well as know how to effectively intervene. Link to agenda. Link to Register.

New Director of Special Education Academy (for those in the first three years) 

August 4, 2026, 9 am - 2 pm.  Lunch will be provided.  Cost: $25.00. This in-person event for new directors will provide valuable time with new directors from your region.  Directors will have the opportunity to build relationships with regional colleagues and enhance their network.  Additionally, guest speakers from DPI and WCASS will be joining.  Questions about these events can be directed to Erin Faasuamalie- E-mail: erin.faasuamalie@dpi.wi.gov 

Registration links are below.

• CESAs 1, 2, 6 Registration (Hosted at CESA 1) 

• CESAs 3, 4, 5 Registration (Hosted at CESA 4) 

• CESAs 7, 8, 9 Registration (Hosted at CESA 7) 

• CESAs 10, 11, 12 Registration (Hosted at CESA 10) 

Endless Possibilities Conference: Advocacy in Education and Beyond!

Friday, August 7, 2026 | 8:30 am-3:00 pm, Waukesha County Technical College. Scholarships for families to attend are available! Requests due by July 27, 2026.  Are you ready to advocate for a future without limits? This conference brings together a powerful collective of voices to provide you with the tools for success at every stage of the journey. You won't want to miss an address from State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. Jill Underly!  The annual Endless Possibilities conference invites families and professionals who support students with disabilities to learn and grow together. We encourage open dialogue between families and professionals.  Registration through July 29.  Link to conference website and registration.

Additional Learning Events

August 3-4, 2026: Wisconsin Deafblind Technical Assistance Project’s Tips and Tools: Calendar Systems and Communication Matrix, (In-Person)  

September 16, 2026: September Special Education/Pupil Services Leadership Virtual Academy  

October 21, 2026: October Special Education/Pupil Services Leadership Virtual Academy  

November 4, 2026: November Special Education/Pupil Services Leadership Virtual Academy  

December 2, 2026: December Special Education/Pupil Services Leadership Virtual Academy  

January 6, 2027: January Special Education/Pupil Services Leadership Virtual Academy  

February 10, 2027: February Special Education/Pupil Services Leadership Virtual Academy  

March 3, 2027: March Special Education/Pupil Services Leadership Virtual Academy  

April 7, 2027: April Special Education/Pupil Services Leadership Virtual Academy  

May 5, 2027: May Special Education/Pupil Services Leadership Virtual Academy

DPI does not sponsor or endorse any external resources or events. They are provided for your consideration. For questions about this email list, please contact Daniel Parker, daniel.parker@dpi.wi.gov.  Past updates for this email list can be found on the DPI Weekly News webpage.