Evers Signs SAA-Supported Bills Into Law
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | November 22, 2019
At a bill-signing ceremony in the State Capitol yesterday, Governor Tony Evers signed the following SAA-supported bills into law:
AB-054 School Drills (Born, Mark) Fire, tornado, and school safety drills for public and private schools. Signed (Act 39)
AB-195 Reciprocity Licenses (Tranel, Travis) A license to teach based on reciprocity and granting rule-making authority. Signed (Act 43)
AB-194 Special Ed Licenses (Tranel, Travis) Requirements for initial licensure as a special education teacher. Signed (Act 44)
Topics: Legislative Action, SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update | No Comments »
Continuous Advocacy: School District of Whitefish Bay
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | November 20, 2019
Remember after Governor Evers signed the 2019-21 State Budget on July 3rd how Republican and Democratic legislators battled for weeks to characterize the budget in the press and with the public as either “good” for public schools or “woefully inadequate”.
What we found is that neither these partisan characterizations nor the analyses of the budget’s impact on Wisconsin school districts produced by the Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) or the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) can never tell the full story for every school district. Developing that “full story” for every district’s unique circumstances is the responsibility of local school leaders.
Back in July, the SAA issued the following suggestion to all school district administrators and business officials: “Engage your district administrative team and collaboratively develop your district’s analysis of 1) what this budget means for educational opportunities for the students you serve, and 2) the unmet needs from this budget and the ongoing challenges that remain. Then use this information to educate your legislators, your staff, your board and your community.”
Late last week I received a document from the School District of Whitefish Bay that details the impact of the 2019-21 Wisconsin State Budget on the district and its students. I urge you to check it out (see link below). Hats off to Superintendent John Thomsen and his team at Whitefish Bay!
If your district has developed a similar document or template with which to educate your legislators and your community, please send it to the SAA. We’ll post it so SAA members can share and learn together on how we can effectively advocate for the kids we serve.
Whitefish Bay School District Document
Topics: SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update | No Comments »
WPF Highlights ESSA School Spending Reporting
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | November 20, 2019
In it’s latest issue of FOCUS, the Wisconsin Policy Forum (WPF) highlights the ESSA requirement that school districts report actual per-pupil expenditures by school and funding source.
The SAA believes this is valuable information for SAA members. We are distributing this publication with the permission of WPF.
Topics: SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update | No Comments »
SAA Testifies on Cursive, Seclusion & Restraint Bills
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | November 20, 2019
SAA Executive Director John Forester testified yesterday in opposition to Senate Bill 414, relating to incorporating cursive writing in the elementary grades, and for information only on Senate Bill 527, relating to the seclusion and physical restraint of pupils. The testimony was delivered at a public hearing before the Senate Committee on Education.
SAA Testimony on SB 414
SAA Testimony on SB 527
Topics: Legislative Action, SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update | No Comments »
School Law Update: Students Charged and/or Convicted of a Felony are Ineligible for WIAA Competitions
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | November 20, 2019
From the Legal Side…
In its most recent School Law FYI, BoardmanClark reminds Wisconsin School Districts to review their athletic codes to ensure they incorporate and implement the WIAA Felony rule.
The SAA regularly receives these updates and we believe this is valuable information for SAA members. We are distributing this update to SAA members with the permission of BoardmanClark.
Topics: SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update, SAA Legal Side | No Comments »