Assembly GOP COVID Package on the Fast Track
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | January 5, 2021
Assembly Bill 1, the Assembly GOP COVID Relief package, will receive a public hearing before the Assembly Health Committee this morning beginning at 11am in Room 412E, State Capitol. It is our understanding the bill is on the fastest of fast tracks in the Assembly, with Assembly GOP leadership intending to pass the bill on the floor of the Assembly on Thursday. As of this writing, we are unsure of the Senate’s intentions regarding the bill. See the Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) summary (link below) for more information.
AB 1 contains a couple of provisions the SAA advocated for in its Statutory Flexibility Agenda. It also contains several provisions we do not support. Stay tuned.
Topics: SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update | No Comments »
New Stimulus Law Includes Voluntary Extension of EPSLA and EFMLEA
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | December 31, 2020
From the Legal Side…
In its most recent Legal Update, the Strang Patteson Law Firm focuses on The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (Act) signed into law by President Trump on December 27, 2020. The author notes that employers should pay particular attention to the changes the Act makes to the paid sick leave requirements put into place under the FFCRA.
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 | No Comments »
Latest Stimulus Bill Does Not Extend The FFCRA Leave Mandate
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | December 30, 2020
From The Legal Side . . .
In its most recent School Law FYI, the BoardmanClark Law Firm focuses on how the latest stimulus bill signed into law by President Trump on December 27th does not extend the FFCRA leave mandate.
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 BoardmanClark 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 Publishes School District Act 185 Reports From Pandemic
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | December 30, 2020
From The Wheeler Report . . .
As part of 2019 Wisconsin Act 185, the Department of Public Instruction was required to survey all 421 Wisconsin public school districts on the delivery of virtual instruction, meal services, staff layoffs, school district expenditures, and the period of school building closures (March 12- June 30, 2020). A report is required to be sent to the Legislature.
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Federal COVID Relief Package
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | December 23, 2020
This communication is regarding the COVID Relief Package recently approved by Congress and currently awaiting signature by the President. Though you have heard of his initial hesitancy in signing the bill as passed, there is strong optimism that any subsequent changes, if any, will not affect the bill as it relates to K-12 schools.
As passed, this represents one of the largest allocations to public schools ever and, while not everything that is needed by a long shot, is somewhat responsive to a strong lobby from you and other Superintendents nationally for significant and flexible funding to schools. The all-important “immunity from civil liability” support we sought is not included in the bill, but we are hopeful it may get reconsideration in a subsequent package that will be advanced early in the Biden administration.
Linked here is a memo to members from AASA, The School Superintendents Association, with a broad overview of the bill. This covers both the COVID Relief Package for schools and the accompanying FY21 Omnibus spending bill with its school funding impacts. All good news.
We have been in communication with DPI concerning the details of this relief package pending approval. Though not affirmed, we anticipate at this point that the dollars distribution will follow the same pattern and structure of the previous CARES ACT funds – utilizing an ESSER type application and distribution through the Title I Formula. Note that we have already advocated for a nuanced distribution that recognizes the needs of non-Title I schools. Also note that, as written in the bill, there is no equitable services allocation to private schools in the amount districts will receive. Finally, we have advocated for an easy process and expedited distribution.
I know this does not answer all the questions you may have about the stimulus package. Rest assured, when we have more definitive information, you will have it as well.
Happy Holidays, my friends. And, thank you for all you do on behalf of the students you serve.
Topics: SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update | No Comments »