WiRSA Update - April 1, 2025
Thank You! - WiRSA 2024 Conference Sponsors
Quick Overview of WiRSA Update:
Welcoming our 2025 new WiRSA Board Members
WiRSA Senior Scholarships 2025 - Meet three more of the “10” scholarships
Highlighting the Lakeland Area Consortium for Mental Health Services and the grant they received
Highlighting breakout presenters from Wisconsin for NFARE (National Forum to Advance Rural Education)
Legislative Update - Assembly and Senate Bills
WISCONSIN EYE’s Pie chart tracking the topics presented at the Joint Finance Hearings
Assembly and Senate Education Related Bills by date introduced
LRB-0055 - Posting the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Hotline in School Buildings
EXECUTIVE ACTION BY THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION on AB-2 / SB-29 Wireless Devices - Requiring school boards to adopt policies to prohibit the use of wireless communication devices during instructional time.
Joint Finance Hearings coming up
Gov. Evers press releases related to education
DPI News -
News Releases from DPI
DPI Announces statewide information sessions “Funding the Future”
DPI has complied with a new court ruling - the Department of Ed’s compliance certificate in Ed Leaders
DPI Pushes Back Against USDE Certification Request
News Articles
Northwestern - Institute for Policy Research
The Benefits of Increased School Spending
WISCONSIN EXAMINER
A failed referendum means cuts for Dodgeville schools. Will lawmakers help strapped districts?
Wisconsin POLICY FORUM
Voters Approve Majority of Referenda Even as “Retry” Efforts Increase
Future of Education Technology Conference
on Thursday, April 24 at 4 p.m. ET entitled AI-Powered Superintendent Solutions: Expert Insights on Overcoming District Challenges
Join us for a discussion featuring seasoned education leaders as we explore how superintendents can leverage AI tools and chatbots to address the most pressing challenges facing school districts today. This session will provide actionable tactics to enhance equity, articulate and implement your district's strategic plan, and employ resources effectively.
Even if you aren't able to attend the live event, feel free to register, and you will receive access to the presentation and the event recording.
Announcment
Please welcome our newest WiRSA board members!
Mykayla Sygula represents Region 3 (CESA 10 & 11). Mykayla serves as the school psychologist for the Cornell School District. Before this, Mykayla was a school counselor and director of special education. She grew up in Whitehall, WI, and currently lives with her husband and our three daughters. Mykayla experience as both a student and a professional has been predominantly in rural schools, and I have a deep appreciation for the unique culture and community that I believe can only be attained in small, rural settings. I am grateful for the opportunity to be an advocate for the value that rural schools offer to students and society.
Betsy Gruszynski represents Region 4 (CESA 8, 9 & 12). Betsy works for CESA 9, where she focuses on helping our districts secure staffing and professional development through shared services. Betsy spent 32 years in education, primarily in small rural schools. From teaching as a Family & Consumer Education teacher to building what is believed to be the first full-time school-operated child care center in Wisconsin and 15 years as an elementary principal, Betsy understands many of the challenges that a small district faces.
WiRSA Scholarships 2025
In recognition of the tremendous efforts put forth by Wisconsin’s rural schools to provide their students with quality education in an ever-changing environment, it is with pleasure that the Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance (WiRSA) offers 10 senior scholarships.
Congratulations to these three scholarship winners!
Click on their picture for more information!
Chaya Blackburn - Prairie du Chien
Theodore Hovde - Colfax
Ellie Schiszik - Elk Mound
Highlight
Lakeland Area Schools receive grant to expand mental health resources
The Lakeland Area Consortium School Districts have built a model that allows more accessibility to mental health services, and they received $55,000 from WEA Members Benefit. The Lakeland Area Consortium districts include North Lakeland Elementary, Lakeland Union High School, Arbor Vitae/Woodruff School, MHLT, and Lac Du Flambeau School District.
See the News Watch 12 report - Lily Alsteen (April 10, 2025)
Highlight
Presenting at our NREA’s
NFARE (National Forum to Advance Rural Education)
Conference in Salt Lake City
WiRSA board member Sue Todey, along with Aaron Malczewski from CESA 7, were selected to present at the National Forum to Advance Rural Education Conference in Salt Lake City, UT, in October 2025. They will bring their expertise to the conference and focus on " Empowerment & Possibilities, " which emphasizes ways education can nurture leadership, entrepreneurship, and resilience in rural students and communities. Thank you both for presenting and supporting rural education!
WiRSA Conference Room Reservations
Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center
Rate: $98.00 Single Occupancy State Rate - $120.00 Double Occupancy State Rate
Booking rooms is usually the first item on the agenda. WiRSA conference attendees can book reservations online 24 hours a day using the following link: WiRSA Conference 2025
If you want to make reservations over the phone, please call 715-344-0200 and press #1. When making reservations, please reference the group name for WiRSA Conference 2025 or the Group Block Code: RSA.
Our group rate will be available until September 29, 2025 or (until the block is full). On this date, any remaining rooms in your block will be released for general reservations at the hotel's prevailing daily rate, which may be higher than your group rate. Please book by 9/25/2025.
WiRSA Conference Information (Thursday, October 30 & Friday, October 31)
Keynote Mark Mambretti - You'll discover the method behind the "Magic" of improving your workplace's culture, climate, and results. Click Here For More Information
Stevens Point Convention Center
Thursday, October 30 & Friday, October 31, 2025
Wednesday, October 29 (7:00 pm. Reception)
Conference Registration Link - Website Information Link
Vendor / Sponsor Registration Link - Website Information Link
Call for Proposals - Website Information Proposal Form
Conference Auction Donations - To raise additional money for student scholarships for our member schools. We will have both a silent auction and a live auction. If you are able to support our scholarships with an auction item, it would be greatly appreciated.
Our member partners at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville have introduced a brand-new Master of Science in Education program in Educational Leadership, which provides a pathway to principal licensure. This flexible program is designed for current teachers who are ready to take the next step in their careers and make a meaningful impact in educational leadership.
• Rural-Focused Leadership: Build skills tailored to the unique needs of rural schools.
More Information Here
Legislative Update
WISCONSIN EYE Is tracking the Joint Finance Committee Hearings
Assembly Education Related Bills - Sorted by: Date Introduced - Bill - Companions - Status
Senate Education Related Bills - Sorted by: Date Introduced - Bill - Companions - Status
LRB-0055 - Posting the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Hotline in School Buildings - Relating to: required human trafficking prevention instruction in certain grades; teacher training related to identifying victims of child trafficking; and posting the child abuse and neglect reporting hotline in school buildings.
EXECUTIVE ACTION BY THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
AB-002 / AB-2 OurGov Wireless Devices - Requiring school boards to adopt policies to prohibit the use of wireless communication devices during instructional time. Passage recommended, 4-1 (Keyeski).
SB-029 / SB-29 OurGov Wireless Devices Requiring school boards to adopt policies to prohibit the use of wireless communication devices during instructional time. Am.1 adopted, 4-1 (Keyeski).
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Joint Finance Budget Hearings
Monday, April 28, 2025 (10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
Hayward High School Auditorium
10320 Greenwood Lane, Hayward, WI 54843
Tuesday, April 29, 2025 (10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
Northcentral Technical College, Center for Health Sciences
1000 West Campus Drive, Wausau, WI 54401
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Legislative Maps - 2024 & 2022 (Interactive)
You can find your legislator and their contact information by CLICKING THIS LINK and entering your address.
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DPI - News!
Press Releases: - Current News Releases from DPI
DPI’s announcement of statewide information sessions “Funding the Future” News: State Superintendent Launches Effort To Highlight Impact of State, Federal Funding on Wisconsin Public Schools and Libraries. We hope to see you at one of these events.
DPI has complied with a new court ruling by sharing an update regarding the Department of Ed’s compliance certification in the Ed Leaders Dispatch April 11, 2025 | Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Dr. Underly public statement: News: Wisconsin DPI Pushes Back Against USDE Certification Request
News / Articles / Webinars
Northwestern - Institute for Policy Research
WISCONSIN EXAMINER
Wisconsin POLICY FORUM
Future of Education Technology Conference
on Thursday, April 24 at 4 p.m. ET entitled AI-Powered Superintendent Solutions: Expert Insights on Overcoming District Challenges
Join us for a discussion featuring seasoned education leaders as we explore how superintendents can leverage AI tools and chatbots to address the most pressing challenges facing school districts today. This session will provide actionable tactics to enhance equity, articulate and implement your district's strategic plan, and employ resources effectively.
Even if you aren't able to attend the live event, feel free to register and you will receive access to the presentation and the event recording.
DA - District Administrator
OFFICE OF SCHOOL SAFETY /WSCCA.
OFFICE OF SCHOOL SAFETY SAFETY RESOURCES TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES VIRTUAL LEARNING
Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management
OSS has released an updated BTAM Guide to accompany the newly revised Wisconsin School Threat Assessment and Management Protocol (WSTAMP-R24). Revisions have been made to the Flowchart, Triage, Inquiry, Interviews and Additional Sources of Information forms. Additionally, new forms have been created and include Assessment (separate forms available depending on whether an Inquiry was completed first), Interviews (for younger students of concern and target), Restorative Contract, Plan to Protect a Targeted Person, and an Intervention and Support Plan. The revised forms and guide will replace the previous version on the website. We recommend the use of the new forms moving forward. For those in the middle of an assessment, the discontinued WSTAMP
Updated: Wisconsin School Threat Assessment and Management Protocol (WSTAMP-R24) and Guide
Update From NREA (National Rural Education Association) From the NREA Weekly Update
Become a Member - View State Affiliates
Hill Day in Washington, D.C.
The NREA Legislative Committee was hard at work in D.C. this week with meetings and briefings! The Legislative Committee is focused on advocating on behalf of rural schools in the areas of funding, data and research, and education and workforce investments. We are proud of this work and encourage you to learn more about it on our website.
Update From CEF (Center for Education Funding).
No new news