The Latest

Wisconsin had its first-person vaccinated on Monday, moving our state forward on the journey back to normalcy. But, as the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) moves from COVID-19 vaccine planning to implementation, they are asking community leaders like you to help urge the public to have patience and understanding, while the agency works through [...]

Recently the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, a division of the Department of Homeland Security, and the FBI issued an alert (https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ncas/alerts/aa20-345a) warning of increased ransomware threats against K-12 schools and districts. Please take time to review the alert, increase your school’s cybersecurity posture, and share with stakeholders within your school. The FBI recommends that [...]

The DPI is charged with oversight for the K-12 testing programs mandated by state and federal laws. However, the agency does not have the authority to waive the tests. Therefore, the DPI is in a monitoring and reporting mode. For the DPI’s overview of where the testing process stands for 2021, as of now, see [...]

WCRIS took its case against the Dane County school closure order to the Wisconsin State Supreme Court for oral arguments this week. Our attorneys, the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty (WILL) says a decision is weeks away. In the meantime, schools are struggling to keep their school buildings safe for in-person instruction. Harvard Public [...]

The seven candidates who have filed papers expressing interest in running for the DPI’s top post have until January 5 to gather at least 2,000 to 4,000 nomination signatures each. You may be asked to sign nomination papers for a candidate. Remember, you can sign only one candidate’s paperwork. The nomination form has to be [...]

Experts have told WCRIS that in the coming months, school copier leases could be subjected to large pricing increases, heavy-handed sales techniques, and suggested “simple” 5-year lease renewals from dealer salespeople. Industry watchers are warning that copier vendors are ramping up their seller-favorable language, which could mean higher costs for WCRIS schools. As a result, [...]

Congress is quickly assembling a new package of COVID-19 relief, including aid for K-12 education. Your urgent action is needed now. The interests and concerns of WCRIS schools are being represented in D.C. by our lobbyist at the Council for American Private Education (CAPE), of which WCRIS is a charter member. Things are moving rapidly. [...]

The Assembly Republicans unveiled a COVID-19 response plan this week. The proposal contains some education-related provisions, which WCRIS is actively monitoring. WCRIS will continue to ensure that private schools are included but not mandated to participate. The response package needs approval by the Senate, which says it won’t be meeting any more this year, and [...]

The Wisconsin Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Tuesday on the WCRIS challenge to the Dane County schools lock-down order. The court has frozen the Dane County order. It also granted an injunction on a similar order by the City of Racine, which WCRIS is also challenging. The court’s decision in these cases, which are [...]

Like all grand and successful human endeavors — settling the western frontier, developing a polio vaccine, flying to the moon — there are many adjustments and changes along the path to success. These are not failures. They are features of the journey. Recently, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) issued its revised guidelines on quarantining. [...]