by Chris Kulow | Aug 30, 2022 | Legislative Update Blog, State Issue
As public schools prepare to begin the upcoming school year facing significant staffing challenges and increased student mental health needs, Gov. Evers today announced the release of $90 million in federal funds for Wisconsin school districts.
Of those funds, $75 million will be distributed on a per-pupil basis, meaning every Wisconsin school district will receive an additional $91.15 in per pupil aid (per district figures). According to the governor’s press release, the funding “includes flexibilities for districts and an extended timeline allowing the funds to be used over several school years, can be used to retain and recruit talented educators and staff, address rising costs for supplies and services due to national inflation, defraying the cost of school bussing, and provide direct support for kids in the classroom”.
The remaining $15 million will go toward the “Get Kids Ahead” initiative to provide mental health services in K-12 schools. The allocated amount of funding per school district through the first and second rounds of the Get Kids Ahead initiative is available here.
It is important to note that these are one-time funds. You can view the governor’s full press release here.
by Dan Rossmiller | Aug 29, 2022 | Federal Issue, Legislative Update Blog
The U.S. Department of Education’s Proposed Rule to modify/amend the federal Title IX regulations is currently subject to a public comment opportunity for school districts and other interested parties to submit feedback to influence the final version of the regulations. The deadline for submitting comments on the Proposed Rule is September 12, 2022.
The WASB has prepared a general summary of the amendments found in the Proposed Rule, with brief commentary, that is intended to help Title IX Coordinators and other school district leaders understand the scope of the Proposed Rule and determine whether their school district wishes to submit any comments for purposes of their local advocacy. The WASB has attempted to identify the proposals that are likely to be of greatest interest to most school districts, however, the overview highlights only some of changes that are included in the Proposed Rule. (more…)
by Chris Kulow | Aug 25, 2022 | Legislative Update Blog, State Budget
The new memo from the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) shows tax collections are above the agency’s January estimates by $1.6 billion. This continues a trend of an exceptionally healthy state financial picture that will allow the state to invest in K-12 education and other priorities in the 2023-25 state budget if policymakers decide to do so. From the memo: (more…)
by Dan Rossmiller | Aug 19, 2022 | Legislative Update Blog, State Issue
The Legislative Council Special Study Committee on Shared School Services will hold its second meeting Monday, August 22, at 10:00 a.m. in the State Capitol, with a focus on School District Consolidation. As such, this meeting should be of special interest to school leaders.
You can watch the special study committee meeting on WisconsinEye.
Monday’s meeting will feature presentations on school district models in other states by three representatives from the Education Commission of the States as well as by a former Florida school superintendent from the Tampa area. (Florida uses a county-wide school district model.) The study committee will also hear from a panel of Wisconsin school district administrators whose districts have either contemplated or implemented a consolidation.
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by Chris Kulow | Aug 17, 2022 | Legislative Update Blog, State Issue
The newest Marquette Law School Poll was released by Prof. Charles Franklin on Aug. 17 and featured an array of questions on various topics including approval numbers for various federal and state elected officials and candidates.
On the K-12 front, questions were asked about school funding support and taxpayer-subsidized private school voucher expansion. (more…)
