The following information is from the Council for American Private Education (CAPE) September Newsletter.
Eight Private School Teachers Receive Neubauer Prize for Urban Teaching
Megan Dills, St. Marcus School, Milwaukee
Nadia Lopez, Pilgrim Lutheran School, Milwaukee
Quanesha Medina, HOPE Christian School (Semper), Milwaukee
Michelle Minnihan, St. Martini Lutheran School, Milwaukee
Zach Murray, HOPE Christian School (Fidelis), Milwaukee
George Paasewe, HOPE Christian School (Fortis), Milwaukee
Amanda Stewart, St. Martini Lutheran School, Milwaukee
Liz Swarczewski, St. Martini Lutheran School, Milwaukee
High Court Reaffirms “Ministerial Exception”
In Our Lady of Guadalupe School v. Morrissey-Berru, the court ruled that disputes of employment discrimination claims can not be settled by the courts, because employees are seen as religious ministers.
The Court said, “When a school with a religious mission entrusts a teacher with the responsibility of educating and forming students in the faith, judicial intervention into disputes between the school and the teacher threatens the school’s independence in a way that the First Amendment does not allow.”
CARES Act Equitable Services Rule Enjoined
As the private school proportional shares of CARES funds are being discussed in court, federal judges have blocked enforcement of the US Department of Education’s (USDE) rule in two of the three cases and expressed strong skepticism of the Department’s position on the appropriate funding formula.
New Round of COVID Relief Still in Limbo
Congress and the White House can not agree on a COVID relief bill to follow the CARES Act. Both houses have made their own version of a relief bill, but it is unclear whether the President will sign any of them.
Department of Education Releases Religious Liberty Guidance
The Department of Education has released guidance affirming that religious organizations are equally eligible to participate in Department-administered programs as their secular counterparts.
Landmark Supreme Court Decision Strikes a Blow Against Blaine Amendments
In Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue the court ruled that a state cannot prevent a private school from receiving tax credit scholarships “solely because they are religious.”
Note: Membership in WCRIS also includes membership in CAPE, which links state groups like WCRIS from around the country and is our voice in the nation’s capital.
