WEC Advises that Probibition on Disclosing Unofficial Election Results Remains in Effect
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | April 7, 2020
From the Legal Side…
In its most recent Legal Update, the Strang Patteson Law Firm follows up on its earlier update from April 7th to report that the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) is advising that the prohibition on disclosing unofficial election results remains in effect.
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 Strang Patteson 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 »
DPI Guidance on Referendum Reporting
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | April 7, 2020
The flurry of activity yesterday, culminating in the Wisconsin and U.S. Supreme Court rulings maintaining today’s spring election, means that Wisconsin school districts are having board elections and 57 referenda as scheduled. State law requires that districts report referendum results to DPI “within 10 days after the referendum is held.” Under the final court rulings, absentee ballots mailed today have until Monday, April 13 to be received and counted by municipal clerks, implying that district boards of canvassers will not be able to certify results until Tuesday, April 14 at the earliest.
Therefore, due to the current extraordinary circumstances, DPI will count the 10-day period from Monday, April 13, and referendum reports through SAFR will not be due until Thursday, April 23. We still encourage districts to complete their reports as soon as possible, and Roger Kordus will follow up directly with districts as usual for preliminary results on Tuesday the 14th.
– Dan Bush, Director
Topics: SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update | No Comments »
Federal Injunction Will Impact School Districts’ Post-Election Activities
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | April 7, 2020
From the Legal Side…
In its most recent Legal Update, the Strang Patteson Law Firm focuses on the impact the federal injunction will have on school districts’ post-election activities.
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 Strang Patteson 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 »
Action Alert: Congress Must Grant Narrow, Temporary IDEA Flexibility NOW
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | April 7, 2020
The AASA has been coordinating with the WASDA office and the SAA to facilitate an opportunity for Superintendents and other district leaders to communicate their concerns and needs for IDEA flexibility in response to COVID 19. In light of the hardship districts are experiencing in trying to educate all students during a pandemic, we are calling on Congress to provide practical, narrow flexibility in how districts meet some of the requirements under IDEA. Note: The communications are intentionally using the concept of “flexibility” rather than using the word “waivers” as that term has created significant challenges from disability advocacy groups. If your district is struggling to meet IDEA mandates, we urge you to take a moment to email the education staff on Capitol Hill and ask them to ensure the next COVID-19 relief package contains sensible flexibility for IDEA.
There are two ways you can send an action alert to your full state Congressional delegation. The first, and most impactful, is to send a personalized email using this template created by AASA Advocacy staff for Superintendents and other school leaders to use. AASA staff simply asks that you add a personalized paragraph to the template describing the specific issues your district is facing in complying with IDEA. You can download a list of all the education staffers for your Congressional delegation and email them individually here.
The other way you can send an action alert to your full Congressional delegation is by using AASA’s Action Alert System. You simply input your address and they will direct you to the appropriate Rep/Senators for you to email and supply a template email for you to use.
Thank you in advance for your advocacy.
Topics: SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update | No Comments »
SAA Advisory Letter on School District Budget Planning for 2020-21
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | April 6, 2020
SAA Executive Leadership, consisting of SAA Executive Director John Forester and the SAA Board of Directors, has issued an advisory letter to SAA members on school district budget planning for 2020-21.
See SAA Advisory Letter here.
Topics: SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update | No Comments »