Latest Regulatory Changes to FFCRA Leave
By John Forester | September 18, 2020
From the Legal Side…
In its most recent School Law FYI, the BoardmanClark Law Firm focuses on revisions to the Department of Labor (DOL) regulations governing leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).
The SAA regularly receives these legal updates and we believe this is valuable information for SAA members. We are distributing this update to SAA members with the permission of the BoardmanClark Law Firm. The information in this update is no substitute for consulting with your district legal counsel, and we encourage you to do so.
Topics: SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update, SAA Legal Side | No Comments »
Local Governments Can Donate Supplies to School Districts Utilizing Unused COVID-19 Relief Funds
By John Forester | September 17, 2020
At an August 17th meeting between officials from the Howard-Suamico School District and Senator Robert Cowles (R-Green Bay) and other area legislators, one of the topics of discussion was the extra financial burden carried by the district for COVID-19 safety and technology expenditures necessary for the district’s school reopening plans. That initial discussion, and considerable legwork by Senator Cowles and his staff, generated a collaborative partnership that recently resulted in the Village of Howard acting to donate supplies purchased with unused COVID-19 relief funds to the Howard-Suamico School District.
Check out Senator Cowles’ press release and his letter to school district leaders in his Senate district encouraging them to establish similar partnerships with local governments to help reduce COVID-19 related expenses to school districts. Many thanks to Senator Cowles for his work on this effort. For more information on partnering with your local governments in this fashion, you can email questions to covidgovgrant@wisconsin.gov or contact Senator Cowles’ office at 608-266-0484.
Topics: SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update | No Comments »
Federal Court Finds Wisconsin School District Denied FAPE
By John Forester | September 17, 2020
From the Legal Side…
In its most recent School Law FYI, the BoardmanClark Law Firm focuses on a recent ruling from a Wisconsin federal court and discusses the importance of implementing IEPs with fidelity and fully addressing a student’s lack of progress, even if a parent refuses to participate in the process.
The SAA regularly receives these legal updates and we believe this is valuable information for SAA members. We are distributing this update to SAA members with the permission of the BoardmanClark Law Firm. The information in this update is no substitute for consulting with your district legal counsel, and we encourage you to do so.
Topics: SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update, SAA Legal Side | No Comments »
As Third Friday Approaches, Schools Brace for Impact on Funding
By John Forester | September 14, 2020
As the third Friday count date approaches on September 18th, school districts brace for the impact on future school funding. Check out Saturday’s coverage of this issue from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The news story features quotes from DPI School Financial Services Director Dan Bush and WASDA Executive Director Jon Bales.
Topics: SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update | No Comments »
Senator Marklein: The State of Our State’s Finances
By John Forester | September 8, 2020
Senator Howard Marklein is a key member of the Joint Finance Committee and I always pay attention to his public statements on the state’s fiscal condition and important legislation. Check out his latest column on the state of Wisconsin’s finances.
Topics: SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update | No Comments »
Cornell Superintendent Advocates for SAA Flexibility Agenda
By John Forester | September 4, 2020
Check out the letter that Cornell Superintendent Paul Schley sent to his district’s legislators in support of the SAA’s Statutory Flexibility Agenda. Great job, Paul!
Topics: SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update | No Comments »
Payroll Deferral Considerations for School Districts
By John Forester | September 4, 2020
From the Legal Side . . .
We share the following from the Boardman Clark Law Firm. The SAA regularly receives these legal updates and we believe this is valuable information for SAA members. We are distributing this update to SAA members with the permission of Boardman Clark.
“In light of President Trump’s Executive Order allowing certain payroll tax deferrals and the recent IRS guidance on that issue, a number of employers, including school districts, have been getting questions from their employees about whether they can or should defer their taxes and some districts have been getting information from third party payroll advisors instructing them how to accomplish this deferral. However, due to a significant number of questions which remain to be answered, and potential risk for employers who allow deferral, we are suggesting districts may wish to take a close look at the issues before they allow their employees to defer any tax obligation. The deferral program is voluntary for employers to participate.”
“One of our Tax and Business partners has written a blog on this topic which we think you might find helpful. It can be found here.”
Topics: SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update, SAA Legal Side | No Comments »
DeVos Tells States Not to Expect Waivers from Annual Tests
By John Forester | September 4, 2020
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos has informed states that they should not count on getting the same waivers from federal testing mandates for this school year that they got last spring as the pandemic shut down schools. Check out the letter she sent to chief state school officers on Thursday.
letter to chief state school officers
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Mount Horeb Leaders Advocate for SAA Flexibility Agenda
By John Forester | September 4, 2020
Check out the letter that Mount Horeb Superintendent Steve Salerno sent (on behalf of the district’s Community and Legislative Engagement Committee) to his district’s legislators in support of the SAA’s Statutory Flexibility Agenda. Hats off to Steve and his team!
Topics: SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update | No Comments »
DPI: Over 31 Million Meals Served to Students During Pandemic
By John Forester | September 3, 2020
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) today announced over 31 million nutritious meals have been served to Wisconsin students at sites throughout the state since March 2020 according to claims filed to the agency.
For more information, and for a full news release, visit https://dpi.wi.gov/news/releases/2020/million-meals-served-wisconsin-students
Topics: SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update | No Comments »