Action Needed: DPI proposed changes to waivers from the school start date appears to be stalled until next session

The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) recently proposed changes (Clearinghouse Rule CR 24-026) to the school start date rule that governs the issuance of start date waivers. The proposed rule provides more flexibility for school boards when seeking to adjust their school calendars to better meet the academic and local needs of their respective districts.

An unexpected development has occurred in the rule making process: Governor Evers has not approved the final rule text. This step is required before the rule can move to the legislative review step. This is surprising considering the governor previously approved the scope statement (a preliminary document describing the intent of the forthcoming rule). Proposed administrative rules must be sent to the legislature for review by the last general business day of the session to be taken up in that session. The last general business day for the 2023-24 legislative session was April 11th. Thus, the governor’s delay means the deadline has passed for the legislature to review the rule until the 2025-26 legislative session (which convenes in January). 

While the rule will not be reviewed by the legislature until next session, it is still important that the governor approves the final rule so it can move forward in the next legislature. The WASB strongly supports this proposed rule based on our WASB Resolution supporting local control of the school start date. We urge school leaders to contact the governor’s office and request he approve CR 24-026. You can contact his office at (608) 266-1212 or submit comments online here. Read below to see more information about the proposed change to the start date.

Clearinghouse Rule CR 24-026 creates academic grounds for applying for a waiver to begin school earlier:

“A determination by the school board that an earlier commencement date will improve student achievement across content areas or address academic needs, which includes any of the following:

1. Student graduation rates.
2. Reading proficiency, as measured by reading readiness scores, and mathematics proficiency.
3. Student attendance or absenteeism.
4. Coordination between universities, technical colleges, and school districts related to dual or concurrent enrollment.
5. Mental health of students and staff.
6. Recruitment and retention of the educator workforce.
7. Coordination between one or more school districts related to educational programming.”