DOA Budget Directions For State Agencies
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | August 21, 2012
The Wheeler Report:
The Department of Administration told state agencies to base their 2013-15 budgets on their 2012-13 adjusted base level minus the lapses from the 2011-13 budget. This move will make the lapses from the 2011-13 budget a permanent part of state agencies. DOA told agencies to assume zero percent growth in overall GPR. In addition:
- Agencies are encouraged to continue using attrition to avoid layoffs.
- Agencies are required to report actual outcome measures through fiscal year 2010-11 and fiscal year 2011-12 as part of their budget.
- Requests for IT funding must show a relationship between the project and the state’s business goals.
- Agencies should review existing federal grant awards to ensure grants are fully utilized.
- Agencies may identify additional federal grant opportunities not included in the agency request.
Agency budget proposals are due to DOA by Monday, September 17.
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The New SAA
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | August 21, 2012
The New SAA
In the 2011-12 Legislative Session, the rise of the private school voucher advocates as a powerful adversary and the decline of WEAC as a huge campaign supporter for champions of public education has swiftly and dramatically changed the political world for Wisconsin K-12 education…perhaps forever.
In light of these powerful political developments, SAA members must answer the question, “Who will stand up and support Wisconsin public school children.” It is imperative that every SAA member answer with a collective and resounding, “I will!”
Late last session, the SAA spearheaded three major legislative victories – the passage of Senate Bill 174 (closing the voucher school expansion loophole) and the defeat of Assembly Bill 110 (special education vouchers) and Assembly Bill 318 (double dipping). Indeed, SAA members proved once again that the SAA is one of the finest grassroots lobbying organizations in the state. But, given Wisconsin’s shifting political landscape, it’s simply not enough anymore.
It is vitally important that SAA members understand the political challenge we face. They must also understand the SAA needs PAC and Conduit resources to support our political efforts on behalf of Wisconsin school children.
In my estimation, we must transform SAA membership into something with greater expectation of member political activity. Why? Too much is at stake namely, the future of public education as we know it.
I want to encourage all SAA members to attend their respective professional association’s (AWSA, WASBO, WASDA, WCASS) fall conferences or regional meetings. At each of these gatherings, I want to engage the members present in a closed-door, brutally honest discussion about the SAA’s future as a political organization. I really want the input of each and every SAA member.
Finally, for nearly 11 years, it has been my pleasure, my privilege and my honor to lobby for the “good guys.” I want to thank you for this continuing opportunity, and for all of your efforts every day on behalf of Wisconsin school children.
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SAA Seclusion & Restraint Law Highlighted as “Model” by AASA
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | July 17, 2012
In a just released study, Keeping Schools Safe: Ensuring Federal Policy Supports School Safety, the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) highlighted 2011 Wisconsin Act 125 (Senate Bill 353) as a common-sense model for state and federal seclusion and restraint legislation. You might recall that the SAA worked very hard with the DPI and other interested stakeholders to develop SB 353 as a consensus bill with the support of educators as well as parent-advocates. The new law builds from the current practice of the DPI guidelines to help provide staff with clarity of operation and parents with transparency of proceedings.
SB 353 passed the Wisconsin Senate on January 24 and the Wisconsin Assembly on March 13, 2012. Governor Walker signed the bill into law on March 19. We would like to thank the authors of the bill, Senator Luther Olsen (R-Ripon) and Representative Steve Kestell (R-Elkhart Lake) for bringing this legislation forward.
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School Law Update – 2013 Wisconsin Retirement System Contribution Rates
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | July 16, 2012
The Boardman & Clark law firm recently posted a legal update providing guidance on the issue of the 2013 Wisconsin Retirement System contribution rates. The SAA believes this is valuable information for SAA members. We regularly receive these updates and have chosen to distribute this information to the SAA membership with the permission of the Boardman & Clark law firm.
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Union Dues Deduction After Federal Court Decision
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | June 14, 2012
The Boardman & Clark law firm recently posted a legal update providing guidance on the issue of union dues deduction following the recent federal court decision. The SAA believes this is valuable information for SAA members. We regularly receive these updates and have chosen to distribute this information to the SAA membership with the permission of the Boardman & Clark law firm.
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