WiRSA Update - December 3, 2024
Thank You! - WiRSA 2024 Conference Sponsors
Announcments
WiRSA would like to recognize our new Associate Member Rex K-12
Rex K-12 is Everything Districts Need to Offer Computer Science, AI, and Cybersecurity Courses
With or Without a Computer Science Teacher
Announcments
Governor Evers will once again be convening budget listening sessions across the state of Wisconsin.
The listening sessions will help inform the Governor on what’s impacting communities most and what resources are needed to help continue to build thriving communities.
The listening sessions will follow a format similar to previous sessions, and folks can register using the registration links below.
Wednesday 12/4 - LaCrosse 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Northside Elementary School, 1611 Kane St, La Crosse, WI 54603, USA
Tuesday 12/10 - Milwaukee 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
ThriveOn King, 2153 N Doctor M.L.K. Jr Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53212, USA
Thursday 12/12 - Ashland 5:30 pm-7:00 pm
Ashland High School, 1900 Beaser Ave, Ashland, WI 54806, USA
Monday 12/16 - VIRTUAL 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Announcments
WiRSA will be hosting an Office of School Safety Interactive “Resources Available”
Webinar with Cheryl Johnson on Wednesday, February 5th at NOON
When schools are impacted by traumatic events, school leaders are often looked to for the answers about how to respond efficiently and effectively, but there is no guidebook. Knowing the resources available and who to contact for support and guidance can be challenging. The Office of School Safety can help. OSS has resources available to assist Wisconsin schools during all phases of crisis response and recovery. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution to all crisis interventions, OSS will help guide your district’s crisis team through the steps of preparing in advance of a crisis, responding during the initial crisis, and implementing interventions that lead to successful recovery.
More information to come in WiRSA Updates
Announcments
School Safety Annual Submissions are due January 1, 2025
The submissions are required by Wis. Stat. § 118.07. Please plan now to ensure that your 2025 submissions are uploaded to SharePoint on time.
For any questions regarding submissions or SharePoint please contact us at schoolsafety@doj.state.wi.us.
Announcments
WiRSA BOARD MEMBER NOMINATIONS
These board members will be installed on January 8, 2025.
Region 1 (CESA 5, 6 & 7) - School Administrator - Jesse Brinkmann - Algoma - Region 1
Region 2 (CESA 2, 3 & 4) - Board of Education - Gerald Roethel - Westby - Region 2
Region 3 (CESA 10 & 11) - Teacher - Mykala Sygulla - Cornell - Region 3
Region 4 (CESA 8, 9 & 12) - CESA Member - Currently Open - Region 4
Highlights / Opportunity
Ann Chapman’s presentation on The State of School Finance in Wisconsin
Ann Chapman recently spoke at our WiRSA conference in October. If you are not familiar with her presentation on the State of School Finance in Wisconsin through WASBO, it will be good to review the data points identified in her presentation as we move forward with the 25-27 state budget.
State of School Finance presentation.
Highlights / Opportunity
Upcoming OSS Training Opportunities
BTAM Training Sessions
OSS is providing several opportunities for Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management training. Training dates/sites are listed below. Registration links are available on the OSS website Training Opportunities page. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Threat Assessment Coordinator, Sue Williams (williamssl@doj.state.wi.us).
Tuesday, December 10th- Hamilton High School- Sussex
Friday, January 31st- Pardeeville High School- Pardeeville
Highlights / Opportunity
The purpose of this research study is to better understand how rural school administrators help prepare students with disabilities in transitioning to the future and the needs they have in this area.
Are you or someone you know a school administrator working in a rural community? Would you like to share information about your experiences and needs related to preparing students with disabilities for employment in your community?
Our colleagues at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign are looking for rural administrators to complete an online survey. The survey will take about 20 minutes to complete. The information you share will help the special education and school administration fields understand more about the needs and experiences of rural school districts as it relates to preparing students with disabilities for employment. Further, you will receive payment for your participation as well a free resource geared toward rural schools for supporting you and your district in facilitating career development for your students with disabilities.
Please consider completing the survey at the following link: https://redcap.link/RuralAdminTransition
You may also contact the study’s primary investigator, Michele Schutz, at maschutz@illinois.edu.
Highlights / Opportunity
Learning Blade - an online STEM toolbox with over 400 online interdisciplinary lessons -
is now FREE to all Wisconsin Schools.
Learning Blade is now free to all Wisconsin Schools. I recently connected with the Learning Blade Team, and they shared with me the fully funded career-connected resource.
Learning Blade is an online STEM toolbox with over 400 online interdisciplinary lessons, teacher lesson plans, and PBL activities. Through Learning Blade, students gain insights into high-demand STEM, CTE, and Computer Science careers. Learning Blade includes a 20-hour ready-to-implement Introduction to Coding Class and a new AI mini-course.
Learning Blade includes:
Here is the Learning Blade flyer with additional information
Easy-to-implement supplemental resources to introduce Agriculture, Business Finance, FACS, CS, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Health Science careers and technologies.
Learning Blade’s newest mission, Building Submarines, introduces students to careers and technologies that are actively building the next generation of submarines.
WiRSA is willing to schedule a Learning Blade Webinar, or at your convenience, you can schedule your own demonstration with the Wisconsin State Manager, Scott Mains.
To gauge interest in WiRSA scheduling a Webinar, please CLICK HERE (insert your email/check yes/submit). Once again, you can schedule your own demonstration or sign up for your fully funded account at www.LearningBlade.com/WI
Wisconsin State Manager Scott Mains looks forward to supporting your students' journey.
DPI - News!
Press Releases:
Legislative Update
Dane County judge restored collective bargaining powers to public employees who lost them under Act 10
Judge Jacob Frost struck down key components of the 2011 law yesterday, including the restriction barring general employees from negotiating for anything other than base wage increases capped for inflation.
The ruling struck down more than 60 sections of Act 10 as unconstitutional.
The law only allowed that practice to continue for those who fell under the “public safety” definition, including firefighters, municipal police officers, deputy sheriffs, and some members of the State Patrol.
GOP legislative leaders have vowed to appeal the ruling. Appeals are sure to be filed.
Decision and Order Granting Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings
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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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Wisconsin Elections Commission - Website
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Gov. Evers Press Releases
News / Articles
WISCONSIN EXAMINER
Judge strikes down core parts of Act 10 that stripped most public workers’ union rights
Ahead of budget fight, UW system administration releases report on its finances
Unlikely Trump can actually eliminate Education Department, experts say
Proponents say universal school meals could fill in the gaps for Wisconsin students
Public health providers urge vaccination as pertussis surges in Wisconsin
Study committee considers creation of new mental health treatment facilities
Wisconsin Public Radio
WISCONSIN POLICY FORUM
State Tax Ranking Hits All-Time Low - Focus #22 • November 2024
Wisconsin’s state and local taxes as a share of personal income and its national ranking for its tax burden fell to their lowest levels on record in 2022.
NEPC (National Education Policy Center) November 21, 2024
The Fiscal Impacts of Expanded Voucher Programs and Charter-School Growth on Public Schools: Recommendations for Sustaining Adequate and Equitable School Finance Systems
The U.S. Department of Education has projected enrollment declines over the next decade, leading to budget cuts for school districts, which will be particularly impactful in urban and rural areas serving vulnerable students. As federal COVID-19 funds expire, districts will face challenges in cutting costs, potentially leading to layoffs or school closures. Meanwhile, many states have expanded voucher programs and charter schools, diverting funds from public schools despite limited enrollment growth. Research shows these shifts harm traditional public school financing. To address this, policymakers must ensure equitable funding for public schools and hold charter and private schools to the same standards as public ones.
The National Education Policy Center (NEPC), a university research center housed at the University of Colorado Boulder School of Education, sponsors research, produces policy briefs, and publishes expert third-party reviews of think tank reports. NEPC publications are written in accessible language and are intended for a broad audience that includes academic experts, policymakers, the media, and the general public.
David S. Knight University of Washington David DeMatthews University of Texas at Austin November 2024 National Education Policy Center School of Education University of Colorado Boulder nepc.colorado.edu
OFFICE OF SCHOOL SAFETY /WSCCA.
OFFICE OF SCHOOL SAFETY SAFETY RESOURCES TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES VIRTUAL LEARNING
OSS Releases Updated Comprehensive School Safety Framework Updated, Expanded, and All-New School Safety Guidance in 2nd Edition
The Wisconsin OSS Comprehensive School Safety Framework, 2nd Edition is intended to grow the capacity of school staff, law enforcement, other emergency responders and community partners to identify appropriate school safety practices and adapt them locally to fit their unique needs. School Safety is complex; schools must employ multifaceted school safety strategies. The updated framework offers comprehensive guidance intended to empower Wisconsin schools by distilling current knowledge and model school safety practices and making them accessible in one place.
This new edition features updated content reflecting recent research and best practices in the areas of violence prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. Many topics have been expanded, such as digital threat assessment, and all-new content added, such as child abuse and neglect, bomb threats and swatting incidents. Expanded resource lists, with descriptions, follow each section. School administrators, check out the new section devoted entirely to Wisconsin Statute § 118.07 School Safety Submissions.
Update From NREA (National Rural Education Association) From the NREA Weekly Update
Become a Member - View State Affiliates
Updates and Opportunities from the NREA
Want to get more involved with the National Rural Education Organization? NREA has multiple committees focusing on awards, research, advocacy, fundraising, and more. If you’d like to get more involved with the organization, please complete this interest survey by December 1.
NREA Annual Membership Meeting
The NREA Annual Membership Meeting will be via Zoom on December 10 at 2pm EST. Please add the event to your calendar; it has the Zoom link included to open the meeting when it is time.
Update From CEF (Center for Education Funding).