In a conference call with the Department of Public Instruction’s (DPI) Assistant State Superintendent Robert Soldner Thursday afternoon (8/6), WCRIS was given the following information about issues of great concern to our schools:
1. Pupil Counts: The DPI is working on issuing updated guidance on hours of instruction and modes of instruction.
Soldner said the goal is to provide “regulatory flexibility” in a “unique school year.” The agency wants to be able to count all children, regardless of the form of instruction. They will issue an advisory for public schools and hope to mirror it for private schools.
DPI hopes to issue the guidance yet today or tomorrow. Watch your e-mail.
2. GEER Funds: The Governor has total control over how the funds are directed. So DPI is waiting to hear from him on details of the allowable uses. Then DPI has to update the software to register allowable uses.
There are reporting requirements on the funds from the U. S. Department of Education. So, DPI is designing its system so a school district’s application for funds will simultaneously complete the compliance paperwork. This takes time to program but saves more time for everyone on the back end.
The DPI is hoping the GEER funds will mirror the ESSER allowable uses. But, that’s up to the Governor. Remember, not all districts will get GEER funds. And, GEER funds do NOT get paid directly to private schools. Instead, private schools must collaborate with the local public school district and sign off that they have received timely and meaningful consultation. See this story for the list of GEER recipients and how the program works.
3. ESSER “Set Aside: The majority of Wisconsin’s $175 million in ESSER funds will be spent through local school districts, which are in the process of consulting about allowable uses with their local private schools.
In addition to that use, federal law allows every state to set aside up to 10% of its ESSER funds for administrative costs. The DPI will use most of its $873,889 “set aside” for general school programs. These programs will be available equally to public and private schools. DPI envisions offering a menu of services that schools can opt-in to receive. The menu will include professional development; help with virtual instruction issues; mental health supports; and maybe some hardware supplies.
The DPI hopes to make these programs available in the next couple of weeks.
4. ESSER funded lap-tops: Questions about private school use of ESSER-funded equipment is addressed in this DPI ESSER FAQ. It addresses questions about damage, loss, theft, etc.
