WAUWATOSA, Wis. — After a year of uncertainty, Wauwatosa STEM (WSTEM) is transitioning to an independent public charter school this fall following the Wauwatosa School Board's decision not to extend its contract. The transformation comes after parents rallied to save the school when the school board voted against extending WSTEM's contract last year. Watch: Wauwatosa parents rally behind WSTEM as it becomes an independent charter schoolParents keep WSTEM school aliveNew independence brings opportunitiesWSTEM will now operate as a tuition-free independent public charter school authorized by UW-Parkside. Ryan Rudnitzki, a parent and WSTEM Governance Council Treasurer, sees the independence as an opportunity for growth. TMJ4 News Wauwatosa parents rally behind WSTEM as it becomes an independent charter schoolHaywood is now also serving on the WSTEM Governance Council.