WiRSA INFO
WiRSA Bylaws
WiRSA Board
WiRSA Map by Region
WiRSA Members
Why Join WiRSA
Become a Member
Membership Brochure
WiRSA Facebook
Rural/Town Map
Rural Definition & Maps
WiRSA Board Minutes
Quick Links
School Data Tools
WiRSA Update - March 5, 2024
The purposes of the Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance (“WiRSA”) are to work collaboratively to solve issues pertinent to Wisconsin rural schools and communities in such as way as to ensure the engagement of all of the rural educational constituencies in developing and advocating for solutions to identified issues within our state. To collectively advocate on behalf of rural schools and their communities at the local, state, and federal levels. To be the voice for rural educational interests.
Announcements
Keynotes at our 2024 WiRSA Conference!
(Monday, October 28, and Tuesday, October 29)
—————————————————————————————————————
With over 30 breakouts and great keynotes, our WiRSA state conference is a must-attend conference.
Registration is coming soon!
—————————————————————————————————————-
WiRSA Conference - Request for Proposals
WiRSA Conference - Vendor Information and Registration
WiRSA Conference - Vendor Information and Registration
WiRSA Conference - Silent & Live Auction Donations
(Google Form Donation Link)
WiRSA Conference - Silent & Live Auction Donations (Google Form Donation Link)
We will once again have a silent and live auction to support our WiRSA high school senior students and student-teacher scholarships. Responses can be adjusted if needed. Keep your URL link saved after you submit an auction item.
————————————————————————————————————
Our very own Joe Sanfelippo has been keynoting at various events across the United States. He delivered a powerful message at our Rural Schools National Conference held in Chattanooga, and we are excited to have Joe's passion and enthusiasm to help our leaders bring about positive change in their communities.
Ben Winchester has been invited back by popular demand. He was a keynote speaker at our National Rural Schools Conference held in Green Bay. During his speech, he shared his insightful thoughts on how we should rewrite the rural narrative. According to Ben, rural America is rich and diverse, and there are many positive trends occurring under the radar. Ben's perspective is sure to provide the aha experience that you are looking for.
Highlights / Opportunity
USDA FNS is excited to celebrate National School Breakfast Week (NSBW) this week (March 4-8). Recognizing that good nutrition improves a child’s health, growth, development, and educational outcomes, this special observance celebrates the importance of a nutritious school breakfast in setting up children for success.
Schools serve breakfasts to nearly 15 million children every day and those meals are the main source of nutrition for more than half of these children. Let’s work together this week to uplift all the nutritious breakfasts schools are serving across the country, and the creative work schools are doing to provide students with nutritious and delicious food.
Check out FNS’ National School Breakfast Week 2024 toolkit to spread the word. The toolkit contains social media messages, graphics, infographics, and more: https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn/2024-nsbw-toolkit
—————————————————————————————————————DPI submits a list of recommended early literacy curricula to Joint Committee on Finance for approval. DPI continues to be on hold.
—————————————————————————————————————
Legislative Update
Gov. Evers Press Releases
Gov. Evers Takes Action on Three Bills
Early Literacy Program
Gov. Evers today also approved SB 971, now 2023 Wisconsin Act 100, with line-item vetoes. The bill makes modifications to 2023 Wisconsin Act 20, which established an early literacy program in Wisconsin. The 2023-25 biennial budget signed by Gov. Evers includes $50 million in JFC’s supplemental appropriation for efforts to improve reading and literacy outcomes for K-12 students, including those included in 2023 Wisconsin Act 20, which made several comprehensive updates to literacy instruction in the state.
Senate Bill 971, now 2023 Wisconsin Act 100:
Creates a continuing appropriation for the Office of Literacy and literacy programs; and
Adds the director of the Office of Literacy to the list of positions assigned to executive salary group 3.
Gov. Evers Signs Bipartisan Bill to Reduce Annual Child Care Costs for Working Families
——————————————————————————————————————-——
Bill Information
The Assembly session is complete, and the Senate session is winding down.
Quick view of Bills Enrolled or Enacted Into Law (Link)
———————————————————————————————————-
News Articles
WISCONSIN POLICY FORUM
WASB - Blog
WISCONSIN EXAMINER
DOJ (Department of Justice) /WSCCA
AB1050 recently passed the assembly; however, SB955 must still pass the Senate before its adjournment in mid-March. The Office of School Safety will be able to continue critical operations to support our schools and keep our schools safe.
This funding extension would allow our DOJ to continue our work to proactively protect schools, prevent violence from occurring, mitigate trauma, and respond effectively to promote recovery if a crisis event does occur.
If you are interested in supporting our continued ability to do this important work, please contact your state senator and voice your support for SB955.
Update From NREA (National Rural Education Association)
Present at the National Forum to Advance Rural Education in Savannah. Proposals are due March 24th. NREA Website Link
Update From CEF (Center for Education Funding)
I. Policy Intelligence and Education News
Appropriations – Late last week the President signed into law the newest continuing resolution extending government funding at fiscal year (FY) 2023 levels, with funding for programs in four appropriations bills extended until March 8 and funding for the other eight bills extended until March 22. Congress plans to vote this week on a package of six of the FY 2024 appropriations bills (links to bills and explanatory materials), with the House voting first taking up the package as a suspension bill (meaning it needs the support of two thirds of those voting to pass) and the Senate following. Both Democrats and Republicans are claiming some wins, in terms of some policy changes and funding changes. Unsurprisingly, total funding for the bills is relatively close to the FY 2023 levels, given that non-defense funding for FY 2024 is essentially frozen at the FY 2023 level; total funding for four of the bills went up, and total funding for two of the bills (Interior, and Commerce-Justice-Science) went down. CQ reports that funding for these six bills is up by $1.5 billion (0.3%) compared with the FY 2023 level. These six bills were considered the easier ones to finalize. Meanwhile, appropriators continue to work on the remaining six bills, which include the ones considered more controversial and the two largest (the Labor-HHS-Education and defense funding bills). Separately, on Thursday at 9pm ET the President will address a joint session of Congress to deliver his State of the Union address, which often provides some hints as to what will be in the President’s budget request for the coming year; the Administration plans to submit its FY 2025 budget request next Monday, March 11, before half of the FY 2024 appropriations bills are finalized. Yes, it’s confusing, with lots of overlapping years and funding streams; we’re currently in FY 2024, operating on FY 2023 funding levels, about to get the FY 2025 request.
U.S. Department of Education News
Sign up for updates and alerts from FSA so you don’t miss any important announcements: outreach.fsapartners.ed.gov
NREA partners (schools, groups, etc.) may request having an FSA representative attend an upcoming event by filling out the Outreach Event Form.
Curious about how your state or district is doing on FAFSA completion? The Department is now providing weekly updates to allow high schools to track progress, target supports, and encourage their students to submit a FAFSA form. View the data here.
This resource gives FAFSA applicants and contributors tips to help them successfully complete and submit the 2024–25 FAFSA form.
Specific questions can be addressed to: FSAOutreach@ed.gov
Thank You!
WiRSA 2023
Conference Sponsors
