GOP Bill Would Allow Guns in Schools
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | January 13, 2016
Those with concealed weapons permits could carry guns on school grounds — and in some cases in school buildings — under a bill a Republican leader hopes to get through the Legislature in the next two months. See the news coverage from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
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Knudson Will Not Seek Re-election
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | January 12, 2016
From WisPolitics…
Joint Finance Committee member Dean Knudson announced via Twitter today that he will not seek re-election this fall.
“‘Rotation in office’ makes us stronger and encourages citizens to step up and serve,” wrote Knudson, R-Hudson. “It is time for me to return to private life.”
Knudson made his announcement one day after freshman Rep. Dave Heaton, R-Wausau, announced he would not run.
Knudson’s decision will open up a spot on the powerful Joint Finance Committee.
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Priority Legislative Alert on Senate Bill 355
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | January 11, 2016
The SAA is issuing a Priority Legislative Alert on Senate Bill 355.
Senate Bill 355 (SB 355), relating to school referenda, will have a public hearing before the Senate Committee on Elections and Local Government at 9:30am on Thursday, January 14th in Room 201 Southeast, State Capitol. You might recall that SB 355 would place restrictions on school district referenda ballot dates and implement a 2-year waiting period following failed referenda. The SAA is strongly opposed to the bill.
We believe the most effective testimony on this damaging legislation will come from those in the field that are living this issue. If you believe you have a compelling story to tell and would like to testify on SB 355 this Thursday, please call John Forester at 608-242-1370 as soon as possible. You can also respond to this legislative alert by writing to the chair of the Senate Committee on Elections and Local Government and your own legislators, of course.
We urge SAA members to take action now! Please contact Senator Devin LeMahieu (Chairman of the Senate Committee on Elections and Local Government) in opposition to SB 355. We recommend that you frame your communication drawing from the talking points below and add any personal reflections that complement this information. In addition to contacting Senator LeMahieu, it is extremely important that you copy your own Assembly Representative and State Senator on this communication.
Talking points:
- This bill is anti-local control.
- With revenue limits frozen for this budget cycle for the first time, referenda are the only way many districts can access resources. This proposal will significantly impact declining enrollment districts which are often small rural school districts many of which need referenda to maintain educational opportunities for children. This bill, if adopted, could have the effect of forcing districts to consider dissolving or consolidating if they cannot pass such referenda and are barred from going back to their voters for two years (or more).
- This bill will further exacerbate the trend of creating “Haves” who can pass referenda and “Have Nots” who cannot. Opportunities for students will further be determined by their zip code.
- The bill is extremely restrictive and inflexible for school boards – under the bill in odd number years boards will only have one opportunity to go to referendum (in the spring). If that referendum fails, boards will have to wait two years to the next odd number year where once again there will only be one opportunity. In a state budget year a district would have to wait until the following spring to react to funding decisions made by the state.
- Limiting referendum date selection for capital projects such as new buildings, renovations or additions will reduce the effective planning of these projects to meet the needs of students and citizens. What’s more, a poorly-timed referendum date could add to the construction time-frame and possibly increase costs to taxpayers.
For your convenience in contacting your legislators, we have provided links to the Assembly Directory, the Senate Directory and Who Are My Legislators.
If you should have any questions please email me. Thanks for listening and, as always, thank you for everything you do on behalf of Wisconsin school children.
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Senate Committee on Elections and Local Government: Public Hearing Thursday, January 14th
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | January 8, 2016
The Senate Committee on Elections and Local Government will hold a public hearing on Senate Bill 355 relating to school referenda at 9:30am on Thursday, January 14th in Room 201 Southeast, State Capitol.
The SAA will likely issue a priority legislative alert on the important legislation on Monday morning.
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SAA Teams Deliver Powerful Testimony on Mental Health
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | January 7, 2016
SAA member teams delivered powerful testimony yesterday in the State Capitol at an informational hearing on school mental health issues before the Senate Education Committee. (See the video link to the hearing. The informational hearing begins at about 1 hour and 49 minutes in to the recording).
As reported earlier, the SAA encouraged Senator Luther Olsen, Chairman of the Senate Education Committee, to hold this informational hearing. We also worked with Senator Olsen and his staff on the slate of speakers which included the powerful and dynamic presentation teams from the Adams-Friendship, Baraboo, LaCrosse, and Menasha School Districts. Hats off to the following presenters for their outstanding testimony and their advocacy:
Adams – Friendship Area School District:
Rick Waski, District Administrator
Barbara Gransee, Director of Pupil Services
Jason West, Student Advocate and AODA Coordinator
Anne Fimreite, Student Services Grant Coordinator
Baraboo School District:
Dani Scott, Director of Student Services
Kathy Thornburgh, High School Counselor & Mental Health First Aid Provider
Ann Renn, High School Counselor & Mental Health First Aid Provider
Christina Olson, Middle School Counselor
LaCrosse School District:
Regina Siegel, Director of Pupil Services and Learning Supports
Alicia Place, School Social Worker
Kristine Madison, Kindergarten Teacher
Menasha Joint School District:
Chris Vanderheyden, District Administrator
Mary Wisnet, United Way
Brenda Litwin, High School Counselor
Marcena Thiry, Director of Student Services
Hats off to Senator Luther Olsen as well for his leadership in raising the visibility of this important issue inside the State Capitol. Thanks Luther!
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