Instead of traveling to Madison for our Leadership Conference and Legislative Day of Action, WCRIS is asking you to advocate for your school by testifying at the state’s Joint Finance Committee (JFC) budget hearings in your corner of the state.
WCRIS needs its members to support our request for Private K-12 School Health and Safety Grants. Our proposal requests that since K-12 religious and independent schools enroll 10 percent of the state’s K-12 school-aged children, they should get 10 percent of what the public schools get to address student wellbeing. Read it here.
Testimony can be given in-person at one of the four hearings across the state or online. Although legislators have already seen WCRIS’ proposal, you can reinforce our efforts by sharing a copy.
See below for talking points, how to submit comments online, what to expect when testifying in-person and the hearing schedule:
Talking Points
Your message to the 16-member committee, whether in-person or online, is that the Private K-12 School Health and Safety grant program:
- Is innovative because it’s not one-size-fits-all, but builds on our experience with successful and unsuccessful state and federal grant programs;
- Calls for one-time money to address specific risks to student learning from health and safety problems or from learning loss and is therefore measurable;
- Is equitable because the amount is fair and proportional to public schools expenditures; and
- Uses the state’s General Purpose Revenue to free schools from federal bureaucracy and cumbersome paperwork.
It’s important to also include the name of your school, your membership with WCRIS and highlight accomplishments of your school, students and community.
Instructions for Submitting Testimony Online
If you can’t attend an in-person meeting, you can submit your testimony using the JFC’s online portal or emailing comments to: budget.comments@legis.wisconsin.gov.
Use the points above to create your message and make sure to include unique details about your school.
What to Expect When Testifying In-Person
WCRIS suggests typing out your testimony, using the guidance above, to have with you as you speak and to leave with the committee afterwards. Plan to bring 25 printed copies of your testimony on school letterhead to give to the committee clerk or a legislative page when you testify. Make sure to include your school, address, name and title.
You can arrive any time during the scheduled hearing hours, but WCRIS recommends getting there early so you don’t have to wait as long. Hearing attendees will be asked to complete a short registration form upon arrival to be added to the queue to testify. Comments will probably be limited to two minutes per individual.
Try not to repeat verbatim what’s been already said. Voice your support or opposition to an issue and then try to add some personal or unique information from your situation. Tell the JFC members about your school profile and student proficiency rates. If you can do that in less than two minutes, they’ll love you and remember you.
You can leave when your testimony is done. If at some point you have to leave before testifying, you should give printed copies of your testimony to a page. Pages are usually college-aged employees and wearing identifiable, legislative attire.
In-Person Hearing Schedule
Waukesha: Wednesday, April 5, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Waukesha County Expo Center, Main Arena
1000 Northview Rd, Waukesha
Eau Claire: Tuesday, April 11, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
UW-Eau Claire, Davies Student Center
Ojibwe Grand Ballroom (Third Floor)
77 Roosevelt Ave., Eau Claire
Wisconsin Dells: Wednesday, April 12, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Wilderness Resort, Glacier Canyon Conference Center
Sandstone Meeting Room
45 Hillman Road, Wisconsin Dells
Minocqua: Wednesday, April 26, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Lakeland Union High School
9573 State Highway 70, Minocqua
Next Steps
Once the four public hearings are completed, the JFC will use May to draft its own version of the state budget and then send it to both houses of the Legislature. In June, the houses will further amend and pass it. Finally, the Legislature will send the amended budget back to the Governor for his action before June 30, the end of the current fiscal year.
A delay is not expected, but if they go past July 1, the current budget numbers determine spending. Unlike the federal government, state government does not shut down.
Additionally, keep an eye out in April or May for a request to support the grants through WCRIS’ online Advocacy Portal. The portal allows you to directly contact lawmakers to support legislative initiatives. WCRIS doesn’t activate the portal until absolutely necessary, which we suspect will be later in the legislative session. We will notify you via Current Events and your WCRIS jurisdiction representative when action is needed.
