DPI Certifies Revised General Aid
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | October 24, 2013
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction certified yesterday the revised amount of general school aid that the state’s 424 school districts will receive this school year from the $4.382 billion available. As required by 2013 Wisconsin Act 46, this figure incorporate an additional $40 million in general school aid for the current school year allocated by the governor and Legislature this month to provide property tax relief.
See the news release here.
A pdf copy of the general aid list for the state’s 424 school districts is available here.
Topics: SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update | No Comments »
Common Core Testimony – Eau Claire
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | October 24, 2013
We are posting testimony that SAA members delivered at the Eau Claire hearing on October 23rd. Please send your testimony to beth@wsaa.org so that she can post it. Thank you again for your leadership and dedication. And thank you for all your efforts on behalf of Wisconsin school children.
Amy Traynor Eau Claire School District 102313
Ann Franke Eau Claire School District 102313
Brian Seguin Menomonie School District 102313
Cheryl Gullicksrud Mondovi School District 102313
Christine Stratton Menomonie School District 102313
Dr. Mary Ann Hardebeck Eau Claire School District 102313
Dr. Randal Braun Cameron School District 102313
Jane Maki Osceola School District 102313
Keith Hilts Ashland School District 102313
Michael Johnson River Falls School District 102313
Sandy Kovatch Hudson School District 102313
Stephen Schiell Amery School District 102313
Topics: SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update | No Comments »
SAA Issues Rural Schools Legislative Agenda
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | October 22, 2013
With the first meeting of the Speaker’s Task Force on Rural Schools slated for tomorrow in Rhinelander, the SAA today forwarded its Rural Schools Legislative Agenda to each member of the Task Force.
In crafting this agenda, the SAA collaborated with the Rural Schools Alliance and sought input from many rural school administrators throughout Wisconsin. The work of this Task Force is a priority for the SAA.
Please contact the SAA with questions or comments regarding the SAA Agenda and the work of the Speaker’s Task Force on Rural Schools.
Final Legislative Agenda 102213
Topics: SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update | No Comments »
CCSS Hearing Update
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | October 22, 2013
I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you that plan to testify at the remaining Common Core hearings on October 23rd (Eau Claire) and October 30th (Wausau). I think your leadership on this issue is very important. I also want to be up front with you on what you may be facing.
If your experience on October 23rd or October 30th is like that of your SAA colleagues at the Madison and Fond du Lac hearings, it will be frustrating and very time-consuming. The first two hearings have been orchestrated with time-consuming invited speakers for several hours at the beginning of each hearing. Even though the SAA was assured that speakers would be taken on a first come first serve basis, those arriving the earliest at the first two hearings have still waited for hours to testify. In my 12 years as your lobbyist, I’ve never seen anything quite like it.
In spite of the anticipated time commitment and frustration, it is still extremely important to have a strong presence at these two remaining hearings.
Thank you again for your leadership and dedication. And thank you for all your efforts on behalf of Wisconsin school children.
Topics: SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update | No Comments »
Legislative Alert: Amendment Would Allow Any CCW Licensee to Carry Firearms in Schools
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | October 22, 2013
The Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice has scheduled a vote for Thursday Oct. 31 on a bill (Assembly Bill 9) to allow off-duty law enforcement officers and former law enforcement officers to carry firearms in schools.
The bill’s author and committee chairman, Joel Kleefisch (R-Oconomowoc) has introduced an amendment to the bill (Assembly Amendment 1) that would allow any person with a Wisconsin concealed carry (CCW) license or an out-of-state CCW license to go armed in a school.
(The SAA opposes such an amendment and will oppose the bill if it is amended to allow all CCW license holders to go armed in schools.)
SAA members, please contact committee members and your own Assembly Representatives and urge them to oppose expanding the bill to give CCW licensees blanket authority to carry weapons in schools. For your convenience, we have provided links to the Assembly Directory as well as Who Are My Legislators. Also, reach out to your local law enforcement agencies to enlist their active support as well.
Most law enforcement groups have supported the bill in its original form (without the amendment), which requires former law enforcement officers to undergo a rigorous certification process in order to go armed in schools. They oppose broadening the bill to allow all CCW licensees to go armed in schools. Those groups also support easing certain restrictions on active law enforcement personnel. They note that while current law allows schools and law enforcement agencies to reach agreements and establish policies that allow for “off duty” carry by active law enforcement, this existing procedure can be cumbersome in school districts that encompass multiple counties or municipalities.
Topics: Legislative Action, SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update | No Comments »