UPDATE Tuesday, November 10, 2009 --- 12:17 p.m.

The Dane County Sheriff's Office estimates that President Obama's visit on November 4th cost $4,400 in overtime. 57 people from the department worked that day.

We are still waiting for overtime costs from the Madison Police Department.
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UPDATE Posted Wednesday, November 4, 2009 -- 5:10pm
By Zac Schultz

Madison: President Barack Obama received a standing ovation from an admiring crowd as he took the stage at Wright Middle School.

He spent more than 30 minutes talking about his goals for education reform, specifically the criteria states need to follow if they want their share of $4.3 billion dollars in Race To The Top grants.

Some of his ideas were well received by the crowd of teachers, school officials and Democrats. "We've got to give them some incentives to stay so the kids who need the most help are getting some of the best teachers," says Obama.

What may be most interesting about this speech was the applause line that wasn't. When Obama said he wanted to eliminate a law that prevents teacher pay from being connected to test scores, the room was silent. "That is not a good message in terms of accountability," says Obama. "So we said, if you've got one of those laws, if you want to compete for these grants you got to get rid of that law."

"There's no question that some of these ideas are challenging ideas. Some of them may not be easy for us to come to.," says Madison Superintendent Dan Nerad. He understands the teacher's union doesn't like any version of merit pay, but agrees it would be hard to turn down $80 to $100 million in federal funds because they wouldn't make the change. "Resources drive a lot of things."

8th grade teacher Becky Peterson says she was left dumbstruck by Obama's appearance. "My reaction was I was in awe." But even she recognized an uneasy reaction to parts of Obama's speech. "I noticed that some people supported it, I also noticed that some people did not."

Governor Doyle introduced a series of legal changes last month that would make Wisconsin's grant application for Race to the Top funds more attractive.

The Assembly will vote on those proposals Thursday, including a bill that would connect teacher evaluations to test scores.

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UPDATED Wednesday, November 4, 2009 --- 2:58 p.m.

Click HERE to submit photos of today's Presidential Visit.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- President Barack Obama used his stop at a Madison middle school on Wednesday to focus on the opportunity to make education reform under the federal Race to the Top program.

He says it's time to make education reform America's national mission.

Obama spoke to about 600 students, parents, teachers, politicians and others at Madison's Wright Middle School.

He touted Race to the Top, which is a $4.5 billion grant program targeting innovative education reforms in states.

Wisconsin lawmakers are scheduled to pass a series of bills on Thursday to put the state in position to qualify and compete for the money. One major proposal, to give the mayor control of Milwaukee schools, is not up for a vote.

Obama did not mention the Milwaukee schools issue during his 35-minute speech.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

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UPDATED Wednesday, November 4, 2009 --- 2:18 p.m.

President Obama has wrapped up his speech at Wright Middle School. He is now scheduled to return to Air Force One and depart from Madison.

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UPDATED Wednesday, November 4, 2009 --- 2:06 p.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- President Barack Obama is making a pitch for states to rewrite their education laws and is offering some $5 billion in education grants as leverage.

Obama on Wednesday told an audience in Wisconsin that an education in the United States is a prerequisite to success and that Washington stands ready to help states teach their students. He is making a fresh pitch and challenging lawmakers to set aside bickering and make education a national priority.

Obama's Race to the Top grants will go to states that take a top-to-bottom approach to an overhaul. Obama's administration says it might require some schools to shut down or to replace at least half of the staff.

Teachers unions have opposed such drastic steps.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

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UPDATED Wednesday, November 4, 2009 --- 1:41 p.m.

President Obama has approached the podium at Wright Middle School to deliver his speech on education.

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UPDATED Wednesday, November 4, 2009 --- 1:11 p.m.

President Obama has arrived at Wright Middle School ahead of his speech. He is meeting with 40 students in the library.

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UPDATE Wednesday, November 4, 2009 --- 12:23 p.m.

Air Force One has landed in Madison. The plane touched down shortly after 12:20 p.m. Soon President Obama will be on his way to his speech at Wright Middle School.

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UPDATE Wednesday, November 4, 2009 --- 11:55 a.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Anti-war protesters gathered outside the Madison middle school where President Barack Obama planned to give a speech to about 500 students, school members and invited guests Wednesday.

Dennis Coyier of Cottage Grove held a large sign that said "End the War." He says he voted for Obama in 2008 and he was wearing a button supporting his re-election in 2012. The 62-year-old Coyier says most of those protesting had voted for Obama with the hope that he would change the direction of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

A couple dozen other protesters held signs supporting universal health care and in favor of allowing illegal immigrants who graduate from U.S. high schools to earn permanent residency.

There were about 100 protesters a couple hours before the president's speech.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

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UPDATE Wednesday, November 4, 2009 --- 11:11 a.m.

Area roads are already closed in preparations for President Obama's visit.

Madison Police Public Information Officer Joel DeSpain tells us Northbound Fish Hatchery Road at Carver Road is already blocked. Police plan to close Fish Hatchery between Wingra Drive and Carver Street completely between noon and 3 p.m.

Police are not releasing the President's motorcade route from the airport. There is a public viewing area near Wingra Drive.

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UPDATED Wednesday, November 4, 2009 --- 6:55 a.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- President Barack Obama will be making his second appearance in Wisconsin since winning election when he appears at a Madison middle school on Wednesday.

His first visit was in June when Obama traveled to Green Bay to talk about health care.

He's coming to friendly territory. Not only did Wisconsin as a state vote for Obama, 73 percent of voters in the county where Madison is located voted for Obama.

The visit comes as Wisconsin state lawmakers are considering numerous education reforms to improve the state's chances of qualifying for about $4.5 billion in federal stimulus money under the Race to the Top program. Obama is appearing along with Education Secretary Arne Duncan.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

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UPDATED Tuesday, November 3, 2009 --- 5:20 p.m.

New details concerning President Obama's visit to Madison have been released.

Air Force One is expected to arrive around 12:30 p.m. tomorrow in Madison. President Obama will arrive at Wright middle school at 12:55 p.m.

At 1 p.m., President Obama will meet with 40 students in the library. He'll then meet with the student body at 1:30.

Meanwhile, Madison Police are also releasing new details on traffic closures:

The Madison Police Department (MPD), in conjunction with several other local law enforcement agencies, is in the process of making final preparations for President Obama's Wednesday visit to James C. Wright Middle School, 1717 Fish Hatchery Road.

The is the first time in recent history that a sitting president has made a call on the city, and security will be paramount during Mr. Obama's time in Madison. The MPD is currently working with an advance team of U.S. Secret Service agents to jointly implement the necessary security measures.

The specific motorcade route from the Dane County Regional Airport to Wright Middle School will not be disclosed in advance, but suffice to say, some traffic backups can be anticipated, as intersections along the route will be temporarily closed off as the President passes.

There will also be road closures around Wright Middle School. Specifically, Fish Hatchery Road between Wingra Drive and Carver Street will be shutdown between 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Many Madison Police officers are being called on to assist with motorcade and event security, and there will be overtime costs; however, it is not known at this time what they will be. That figure will be released sometime after the event.

ROUTE 4 DETOUR: Fish Hatchery Rd. Closure
Wednesday, November 4; 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Due to street closures related to President Obama's visit to Wright Middle School, Fish Hatchery Rd. will be closed between Badger Rd. and Wingra Dr. from approximately 11:30 AM until 2:30 PM.

Route 4 will detour via Park St. between the South Transfer Point and Wingra Dr. during this time.

Northbound: Buses will exit the South Transfer Point, turn left on Badger Rd., left on Park St., left on Wingra Dr., right on Fish Hatchery Rd. to regular service.

Southbound: From Fish Hatchery Rd, buses turn left on Wingra Dr., right on Park St., right on Badger Rd. to the South Transfer Point.

Unexpected delays and street closures may occur in this area throughout the day. Updated information will be posted as available at mymetrobus.com.

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UPDATE: Tuesday, November 3, 2009 --- 6:30 p.m.
REPORTER: Chris Woodard

Police and Secret Service Agents are pulling out all the stops to keep the president safe while he's here and that could mean some problems for you.

Next door Dean Clinic is expecting delays.

Less than 24 hours until the President's arrival at Wright Middle School and the grounds are still very active tonight.

Several Secret Service Agents are on scene and have been walking the property all day.

But the biggest problem tomorrow could be on the roads, specifically in front of the school on Fish Hatchery Road.

For Mansfield Neblett a chance to see President Barack Obama is a dream come true. When we met him outside Wright Middle School today he said he just found out.

Neblett's daughter attends the school and he is one of the select few who will be inside to see the President.

Others won't be able to get anywhere near him.

Madison Police Spokesman Joel DeSpain says, "It's going to be officer intensive. We're going to have a lot of hands on deck tomorrow."

Madison Police are working with Secret Service on security.

They'll be shutting down Fish Hatchery Road in front of the school and blocking intersections as the President's motorcade makes it's way to and from the airport.

DeSpain says, "It's an honor to have the President of the United States come to Madison, Wisconsin but there are some hassles that come with it."

Melissa Wollering with Dean Clinic says, "We're just going with the flow."

Dean Clinic is only one block from the school and with at least one thousand appointments a day they're expecting traffic problems.

Wollering says, "What we decided to do is make sure our patients know that we understand they might be a couple minutes late or even more because the surrounding traffic is high so we're going to be more flexible for them."

The advantage at Dean is there are a lot of other ways to get in besides Fish Hatchery Road. The whole facility is surrounded by side streets and Park Street can bring you almost all the way to the parking lot.

From noon to three no one will have a choice, Fish Hatchery Road will be shut down while people like Neblitt are inside with the President.

Neblitt says, "I'm just really excited because you know, Obama is my dog, is my brother from another mother."

For safety reasons police say they won't be releasing the specific motorcade route but those roads will be reopened after the President passes through.

With all that manpower assisting in security there will be some overtime costs to the police department but they say they won't know until after the event what the price tag will be.

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UPDATED Friday, October 30, 2009 --- 4:55 p.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- President Barack Obama will meet with students, teachers, parents and others at a Madison middle school on Wednesday.

The White House released details of the president's visit on Friday.

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan is traveling with the president and will be with him at the event at Wright Middle School. The White House says Obama's comments will be focused on strengthening America's education system.

The speech is closed to the public. Only invited guests will be allowed in.

His visit comes at the same time the Wisconsin Legislature is considering a number of proposals designed to strengthen its chances of capturing part of $4.5 billion in federal education stimulus money.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

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UPDATED Friday, October 30, 2009 --- 4:35 p.m.

Press Advisory sent from The White House:

President Obama to Travel to Madison, Wisconsin Wednesday

WASHINGTON - On Wednesday, November 4, 2009, President Barack Obama will travel to Madison, Wisconsin. He will meet with students, teachers and school officials and deliver remarks on strengthening America’s education system at Wright Middle School. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will travel with President Obama.

The arrival and departure of Air Force One will be open to the press but closed to the public. The meeting will be pooled press at the top; pool slots have been allocated. The President’s speech will be open to the press.

The speech will be closed to the public and by invite only; the audience will be comprised primarily of students, teachers, parents and local officials.

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UPDATED Friday, October 30, 2009 --- 12:00 p.m.

At a press event this morning, Governor Jim Doyle mentioned a special guest would be visiting Wright Middle School in Madison next week.

As we've reported, President Barack Obama will be in the Madison area next Wednesday. He is expected to speak about the American education system.

While the Governor didn't mention the President's name specifically, it is believed he is referring to the President's visit. However, the White House is not yet confirming the President's schedule and visit locations for his Madison trip.

Stay with NBC15 and NBC15.com for continuing coverage. We will provide comprehensive coverage on Wednesday on-air on NBC15, our digital channel 15-2, and on NBC15.com.