As the dust settles from a very close race for Governor, there are some bread crumbs to follow from the campaign trail that provide clues about what a new Governor could mean for private K-12 schools in Wisconsin.

But of course, whomever the next Governor is, it’s wise to remember what the Good Book advises when measuring the work of leaders: “By their fruits ye shall know them.”

Here are some things to consider as the election results unfold:

  1. First 100 Days: Dr. Tony Evers told the Kenosha News his plan for the first 100 days as Governor, if elected, would be:

    “…On day one as governor, I will propose accepting Medicaid expansion funds and will call on the Attorney General to withdraw from a lawsuit that puts healthcare at risk for 2.4 million Wisconsinites who, like me, have a pre-existing health condition. During my first week in office, I will visit our troubled Lincoln Hills facility…”

    “I’ll develop my first biennial budget that prioritizes the issues that matter most to Wisconsin families. After the election, I’ll meet with stakeholders to develop a long-term, bipartisan compromise to transportation funding in Wisconsin. Solving our transportation fund crisis will be among my top priorities.I will also accept the education budget I submitted as State Superintendent that gives $600 million to special education funding, returns to two-thirds state funding for our public schools, and expands all-day 4K statewide…”

  2. Evers’ proposed DPI budget. The 202-page DPI budget for 2019-2021 calls for:
    • Eliminating a list of recent education policies approved by Gov. Walker.
    • Allowing public, private and charter schools to count 4K students as full-time for funding purposes (p. 8).
    • Increasing funding for the choice and special needs scholarship programs.

Specifically, the proposed budget says (pages 153 to 161):

“The department requests an increase of $19,764,100 GPR in FY20 and $38,453,700 GPR in FY21 to continue to fund the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (MPCP) under Wis. Stats. Sec. 119.23.

The department requests an increase of $25,128,900 GPR in FY20 and $53,802,200 GPR in FY21 to continue to fund the Racine Parental Choice Program (RPCP) and the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (WPCP) under Wis. Stats. Sec. 118.60.”

And:

“The department requests $3,373,700 GPR in FY20 and $7,578,500 GPR in FY21 to continue funding the Special Needs Scholarship Program (SNSP) under Wis. State. sec. 115.7915. In addition, the department recommends several changes to existing SNSP statutory language.”

And:

“The department proposes changes to the SNSP statutory language, under Wis. Stat. sec. 115.7915. The requested changes to existing state law, and rationale for each change, are enumerated below.

  1. The department recommends eliminating provisions in current law that provide an increased per pupil payment amount to private schools in the program above the statutory figures provided above if a school submits a financial statements stating their costs for educating an eligible pupil was above that figure. The provisions related to the payments are not workable and create issues for schools, parents, school districts, and the department. Specifically, combining a prior year cost payment requirement with a current year payment requirement creates financial hardship and uncertainty for schools and districts.
  2. The department recommends eliminating the language in s. 115.7915(2)(f), Wis. Stats., which provides that students may apply at any time in a school year and begin attending at any time during the school year, and instead specify that SNSP schools must accept students on a random selection basis not first come first serve. This is consistent with the Private School Choice Programs.
  3. The department recommends removing the requirement that schools can be approved as a private school by the state superintendent and replace it with the requirement that schools obtain preaccreditation if they are not accredited. Current law requires that schools either be approved as a private school by the state superintendent or be accredited. This change would create consistent requirements between the Private School Choice Programs and the SNSP.
  4. The department recommends specifying that any schools that first participate in the SNSP in the 2019-20 school year must also participate in at least one of the Private School Choice Programs. This provision would ensure that private schools participating in the SNSP are also meeting the requirements such as school accountability, financial viability, and teacher credentials.
  5. The department recommends allowing students to opt out of religious activities as provided for under the Private School Choice Programs.
  6. The department recommends specifying that the provisions governing the charging of fees and tuition that apply in the Private School Choice Programs apply in the SNSP. Currently, all SNSP students can be charged tuition regardless of grade level or income. Under the Private School Choice Programs only students in grades 9-12, that have a family income greater than 220%, may be charged tuition.”

A new legislative session begins in January with the swearing in of the Governor and legislators. The state’s proposed two-year budget likely will be introduced in February. Keep reading Current Events to learn about any proposals affecting private schools.

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