WiRSA Update - April 8, 2025

Thank You! - WiRSA 2024 Conference Sponsors

COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION EXPERTS SUPERIOR CRAFTSMANSHIP. UNCOMPROMISING VALUE.

Quick Overview of WiRSA Update:

  • Welcoming our newest WiRSA member - Click Here!!

  • WiRSA Senior Scholarships 2025 - Meet the first “3” of “10” scholarships

  • Room Reservations for our WiRSA Conference - GET YOUR ROOMS NOW!

  • WiRSA Conference - Keynote - Conference Registration Link - Vendor/Sponsor Link - Call for Proposals - Auction Donations

  • Legislative Update - Assembly and Senate Bills

    • LRB - 2812 - Academic and Career Planning

    • SB-170 - Relating to: rehired annuitants in the Wisconsin Retirement System

    • Federal Update on Individuals with Disability Act to provide full Federal funding

    • Baird data on referendum results

    • Joint Finance Hearings coming up

  • DPI News - News Releases from DPI - State Superintendent fighting for increases - Update from DPI On the U.S. Dept. of Education Compliance Certification Request - Tracking Federal Funding Cuts & the effects on Wisconsin

  • News Articles - Wisconsin Examiner / Wisconsin Public Radio / WISCONSIN & District Administrator

Announcments

WiRSA would like to welcome our newest school member -
Gibraltar Area Schools!

WiRSA would like to thank Gibraltar (Superintendent - Brett Stousland) for becoming a member.
The strength of WiRSA is embedded in our membership!

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!

Abbie Morris - Mauston

Zander Davis - Gillett

Kate Tarrell - Highland

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

  • Assembly Education Related Bills - Sorted by: Date Introduced - Bill - Companions - Status

    Senate Education Related Bills - Sorted by: Date Introduced - Bill - Companions - Status

  • LRB-2612 - Academic and Career Planning - Relating to: academic and career planning services provided to pupils and requiring the reporting of certain data on college student costs and outcomes.

  • SB170 - Senate Bill 170 - Relating to: rehired annuitants in the Wisconsin Retirement System.

  • FEDERAL UPDATE - To amend part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to provide full Federal funding of such part.

    • Washington, D.C. – On April 2, 2025, U.S. Representative Jared Huffman (CA-02) and U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) reintroduced the bicameral IDEA Full Funding Act to ensure all children with disabilities can access a free, high-quality public education. In 1975, Congress passed the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) to provide these essential educational opportunities, and this legislation ensures that Congress fulfills its commitment. 

    • Under IDEA, the federal government committed to pay 40 percent of the average per pupil expenditure for special education. However, that pledge has never been met, and current funding is below 13 percent. The IDEA Full Funding Act would require regular, mandatory increases in IDEA spending to finally meet our obligation to America’s children and schools. It is cosponsored by more than 30 Senators and over 60 House members. Text of the IDEA Full Funding Act can be viewed here.

  • BAIRD Public Finance - April 2025 Referenda Results

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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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DPI - News!

Press Releases: - Current News Releases from DPI

News / Articles

OFFICE OF SCHOOL SAFETY /WSCCA.

OFFICE OF SCHOOL SAFETY SAFETY RESOURCES TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES VIRTUAL LEARNING

Update From NREA (National Rural Education Association) From the NREA Weekly Update

Become a Member - View State Affiliates

Update From CEF (Center for Education Funding).

No new news