by Chris Kulow | Jan 25, 2021 | Legislative Update Blog, WASB
The WASB Delegate Assembly met virtually to review ten resolutions last week Wednesday, Jan. 20. Ultimately, the delegates approved all ten with some amendments.
Resolution 21-01 had language added at the end referencing supermajority votes of the legislature and Resolution 21-09 had language removed at the end which referenced what charges can be brought against individuals who convey unspecific threats to schools. See below for more information:
The WASB positions on policy issues are generally decided by the Delegate Assembly, which is comprised of one representative from each member school board and CESA board of control. The Delegate Assembly meets annually at the time of the WASB-WASDA-WASBO State Education Convention in January. (more…)
by Dan Rossmiller | Nov 25, 2020 | Legislative Update Blog, State Issue, Uncategorized, WASB
In this Thanksgiving season many of us are taking time to express thanks in a variety of ways. Yesterday, WASB Executive Director John Ashley wrote to Gov. Evers to thank him for supporting local school board decision-making during this difficult pandemic.
As we reported in an earlier blog post, Gov. Evers publicly supported school boards during a recent press conference where he was asked about a call by the state’s largest teachers union for the state to mandate uniform “return to school” criteria on all school districts in Wisconsin. When asked to comment on that request, the governor responded that local school boards, administrators and teachers statewide were “doing their best” and there are places where in-person instruction is “frankly, working well” and that it is “a difficult thing for us to sit here and talk about it being a one (single, uniform) answer to 420-some school districts.”
The WASB appreciates that the governor recognized that school boards and administrators are doing the best job they can as they make difficult decisions that balance the science and their own community’s circumstances.
(more…)
by Dan Rossmiller | Nov 23, 2020 | Legislative Update Blog, Uncategorized, WASB
The Report to the Membership on Proposed 2021 WASB Resolutions has now been posted on the WASB website. The report presents the resolutions that were advanced by the Policy & Resolutions Committee and will be considered by the 2021 WASB Delegate Assembly along with the rationale for each resolution.
The WASB Delegate Assembly will held on Wednesday, January 20, 2021. This year, for the first time, the Delegate Assembly will be held using a virtual format. More information for delegates will be forthcoming, including specific information about how to participate in online format of this year’s Delegate Assembly.
School leaders and others who are not delegates will be able to watch a streaming video of the proceedings of the Delegate Assembly.
Watch the WASB Legislative Update Blog for more information.
by Dan Rossmiller | Oct 9, 2020 | Legislative Update Blog, State Issue, Uncategorized, WASB
Many school districts across the state are facing teacher and staff supply challenges that have been made worse by the pandemic. As we reported in an earlier blog post, the WASB–along with other K-12 advocacy groups–has urged legislative leaders to take up and pass a set of statutory changes to address, among other things, teacher licensing flexibility, and potential revenue losses due to fluctuations in September pupil counts.
In response to calls for greater teacher licensure flexibility amid that challenges posed by the pandemic, the DPI has initiated rulemaking changes to Chapter PI 34, the administrative rules chapter relating to teacher licensing. The department is referring to these changes as “Licensing flexibilities during a pandemic declaration” in its scope statement. (more…)
by Chris Kulow | Sep 28, 2020 | Legislative Update Blog, State Issue, WASB
The Office of School Safety has announced a newly updated 6th Edition of the Safe Schools Legal Resource Manual is now available for download here: https://www.doj.state.wi.us/office-school-safety/school-safety-resources.
Many of the issues addressed in the manual will also be discussed in a WASB webinar tomorrow:
Webinar: Interactions with Law Enforcement, Part 2: The Legal Considerations, Sept. 29, 10 am
Whether or not they have a school resource officer, schools will need to work with law enforcement. This legal webinar explores issues such as parent notification, staff presence during interviews with agency personnel, student rights, searches and more.
Registration: Not Required
by Chris Kulow | Aug 28, 2020 | Legislative Update Blog, WASB
We want to remind member boards that the September 15 deadline for submitting a resolution to the WASB for consideration to become an official policy or position for the Association is quickly approaching. Before a resolution can be submitted, it must be officially voted on and approved by your board.
To submit your resolutions to the WASB, you can use the following new and improved form: 2021 Resolutions Submission Form
Here’s a refresher on how the WASB resolution process works and why it is important: (more…)
