The Latest

While in-person events are not possible, WCRIS still wants to bring its Principals together and inform you about the state’s current legislative session, COVID-19, and the future of education. That’s why WCRIS is hosting its first-ever virtual Leadership Meeting on March 10, from 9 am to 11 am. It’s free but attendance is limited. So [...]

WCRIS met this week with the Department of Health Services (DHS) to review the state’s plan for vaccines for K-12 private school staff, who are eligible for vaccines March 1. Officials said the barrier to widespread vaccines is that the state is not getting a sufficient supply from the federal government. Wisconsin is getting 70,000 [...]

Question: Is there an easy formula to know which is more advantageous for my school — the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) or federal Emergency Assistance to Nonpublic Schools (EANS) funds? Answer: WCRIS is working with DPI to determine how to apportion and disburse the state’s allotment of $77.4 million in EANS funds, according to requirements [...]

Question: With seven candidates in the February 16 primary election for DPI Superintendent, it’s not going to take a lot of votes for two people to rise to the top as finalists. Which candidate is most friendly to religious and independent schools? Answer: Yes, the primary race for DPI Superintendent is a very crowded field. [...]

WCRIS petitioned the DPI this week to pass a rule change exempting federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan funds from being counted in choice program payments. A DPI proposed Administrative Rule (SS 007-21) would address the accounting glitch for the 2020-2021 school year, as it was addressed by a separate waiver in the 2019-2020 school [...]

The Governor has yet to apply to the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) to receive funds under the Emergency Assistance for Nonpublic Schools program (EANS). WCRIS has sent a letter to the Governor requesting him to file for the funds. EANS is a program exclusively for the benefit of private schools and their students, teachers, [...]

In early January, Deputy State Superintendent Mike Thompson announced that “requirements for the 2020-21 administration of statewide assessments remain unchanged under state and federal law. All districts and schools should begin planning for in-person testing now; this includes schools whose current instruction is hybrid, in-person, or 100% virtual. If schools are not open for in-person [...]

It’s up to local officials to open public school districts for in-person instruction, explained Ryan Nilsestuen, chief legal counsel to the governor, to the State Disaster Medical Advisory Committee (SDMAC) at its meeting on January 21. The SDMAC committee is a standing group of 12 members who advise the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) [...]

WCRIS is working with the Governor’s office and the Department of Public Instruction on applying to the federal government for Emergency Aid to Nonpublic Schools (EANS) funds just made available by Congress. All signs now point to the Governor applying for the funds. However, we can’t move forward until his office confirms that the paperwork [...]

CESA 6 invites you to attend their free Spring into Success Summit on Monday, February 15, 2021. Hear from two keynote speakers and 30 sessions to choose from. You can register here.