Testimonials

2024

“Thank you so very much! It is so reassuring to have advocates to turn to!” – Green Bay area Catholic school principal, March 2024.

“The entire WCRIS staff are a huge blessing to us! You make our job more manageable by providing legislative information that I would not otherwise have.” – Southeastern Wisconsin Christian school administrator, February 2024.

“Thank you for all your work on legislative issues like Act 20 and for your years of cultivating a positive, fruitful relationship with the DPI.” – Catholic Schools Superintendent, February 2024.

“I appreciate all your hard work advocating for our schools. Your job is certainly not an easy one.” – Southeastern Wisconsin Catholic school president, January 2024.

“Thank you… for the consistently high and very dedicated support of our schools.” – Lutheran synod administrator, January 2024.

Thank you for keeping us in the loop with The Right to Read Act… I have concerns about this Act… thank you for keeping up on this.” Central Wisconsin Catholic school administrator, January 2024.

2023

“I’m glad to know I can dive into the 1st edition of the handbook with no fear that I am missing out on critical updates. I am so grateful for the work of WCRIS.” – Milwaukee-area Catholic school principal, September 2023.

“All our schools appreciate everything WCRIS does all the time, but especially during [legislative] situations like this.” – Northern Wisconsin Lutheran school principal, June 2023.

“You are AMAZING! I appreciate the guidance. If there is anything further, I look forward to your expertise.” – Southeastern Wisconsin Lutheran school principal, May 2023.

“I think our relationship with the district is even stronger than before because we kindly and graciously asked them to revisit the decision.  Thanks for your excellent guidance!” – Southeastern Wisconsin Christian school president, May 2023.

“You are a wealth of information that I appreciate so much! THANK YOU. This is so helpful. Your work is so important and valued. Thank you again!” – Racine-area Lutheran school principal, March 2023.

2022

“Your efforts and support for our schools is greatly appreciated.” – Officials from a Lutheran synod national headquarters, December 2022.

“I have worked with WCRIS as a teacher, administrator, and a legislator. Especially in my eight years as the Chair of the State Assembly Education Committee, I regard their connection to private schools in this state to be unparalleled, and their knowledge of the impact of legislation on Wisconsin private schools has been invaluable to my duties. My time in state service would not have been as beneficial to my constituents without partners like WCRIS.” – State lawmaker from rural Wisconsin, November 2022.

“Thank you for being so accessible. You guys help us. That’s why we pay those WCRIS dues every year. It’s worth it.” – Greater Milwaukee Lutheran school principal, November 2022.

WCRIS has long been a strong voice for Wisconsin’s non-public schools. Whether it’s partnering with the Department of Public Instruction to provide ombudsman services, helping schools advocate for pandemic emergency funding or protecting Wisconsin’s school choice programs, WCRIS has been leading the charge. The association’s leadership has not only been respected in Wisconsin, but in the national State CAPE Network as well. Wisconsin’s nonpublic schools are lucky to have an organization like WCRIS that always has their back!– Midwestern state Council for American Private Education (CAPE) organization, November 2022.

“WCRIS advocates wholeheartedly for its schools and students. They are passionate about the work they do, and they are well-respected at the State Capitol. – Assembly representative’s office, mid-state district, November 2022.

WCRIS is an outstanding organization that represents the interests of the Wisconsin private K-12 school community with great effectiveness and integrity.  WCRIS is a leader on the national level as well, advocating for students, parents and families on issues that have major impact on its member schools.  Innovation, strategic thinking and impactful action are the hallmarks of this outstanding representative of Wisconsin’s religious and independent schools.– Midwestern state CAPE organization, November 2022.

“Thank you for your advocacy for parents and schools!  Your efforts supporting instructional options and faith-based education against the bureaucracy are greatly appreciated!” – State senator from a northern Wisconsin urban district, November 2022.

There is nothing more important than a state level organization advocating for the independence and autonomy of private schools and speaking up when necessary to protect them. WCRIS allows the private schools in Wisconsin to continue to live into their missions and educate children with excellence.– Southern state CAPE organization, November 2022.

“Thank you for your patience and diligence …. and for working to ensure that all schools submitted the required documents…Thank you for your continued collaboration as we work to sustain safe schools in Wisconsin,” – Wisconsin Department of Justice, September 2022.

“I want to let you know how impressed I am with your communications. As a principal, I receive far too much email each day; I delete as much of it as I can if it isn’t urgent or practical. But I not only read every WCRIS email thoroughly, I also save them in a folder for future reference. I am grateful for the work you do on behalf of religious and independent schools….Keep up the good work.” – Greater Milwaukee area Catholic school administrator, October 2022.

“Thank you for your kinds words and for your excellent leadership and wise, balanced advocacy for private & parochial schools in the state of Wisconsin.” –  Southeastern Wisconsin Lutheran school principal, August 2022.

“You help us to remain strong, unified and focused on our mission. Please thank your team for us – keep fighting the good fight.” – Green Bay Catholic school system president, August 2022.

“Thank you so much for leading me through these murky waters. I’m thankful to have a go-to person (and organization, really, in WCRIS) in the corner of our private schools to advocate for us and help us navigate these things to be able to best help our kids.” – Kaukauna area WELS Lutheran school principal, March 2022.

“Blessings on your continued work and thanks for the great work of you and your staff on behalf of our schools.” – Central Wisconsin CSI school administrator, March 2022.

“This is great news!! Thank you WCRIS, and your staff, for all your work on this.”– Southeastern Wisconsin Christian school administrator in response to WCRIS’s successful efforts to have the EANS II application process reopened to allow missing, eligible schools to participate, February 2022.

"As always, I appreciate your service and the support you bring for our schools." - Lutheran school administrator, November 2021.

"Thank you all for your good advocacy! We are blessed to have you as partners." - Green Bay area Catholic school administrator, November 2021.

"I have always appreciated your willingness to assist and work with us. You continually provide thoughtful and helpful feedback and suggestions, which is much appreciated." - DPI staffer, August 2021.

"Thank you for your continued work on behalf of all of our students!!" - Milwaukee Catholic school finance officer, August 2021.

"Thank you so much for that information and always being on the leading edge of what our students need." - Milwaukee K-12 Christian schools administrator, August 2021.

"You and your team do an admirable job tracking and confronting all the issues, as well as building positive working relationships with the DPI and legislators. We are greatly blessed!" - Madison Christian schools administrator, June 2021.

"I love the updates from WCRIS and it feels great when we get an action time for which we can provide help to hopefully affect an outcome." - Milwaukee Catholic school administrator, May 2021.

"Thank you for your continued work with the EANS Funds and CESA 6. It is shaping up to be such a beneficial experience and so refreshing as compared to dealing with our public school district!" - Southeastern Wisconsin Christian school administrator, April 2021.

"This is great. Thank you all for your work on this. Y'all are wonderful." - Suburban Milwaukee area Lutheran principal, April 2021.

"Congratulations on another successful year! It certainly has been a busy one. Thank you for all you do for private schools." - Suburban Milwaukee area Christian high school president, March 2021.

"Thanks for the [March 10 EANS] webinar today. Great job." - Suburban Milwaukee Catholic school principal.

"We very much value the membership!! WCRIS provides relevant and needed information that has been especially valuable during the pandemic." - Milwaukee Catholic school business manager.

"We are so thankful for the support you give us," - Racine County urban Lutheran school principal.

"Thank you so much. Always very informative. You are fabulous in what you do." - Northern Wisconsin Lutheran principals group after a WCRIS briefing on federal EANS Coronavirus aid.
“THANK YOU so much for your quick response so now I know this is one of those things worth fighting!!!!” – Rural southeastern Wisconsin Lutheran school principal, November 2020.

“I want to thank you so very much for helping us with our ESSER funds questions and concerns. Thanks to the email that you sent about a previously denied item, we were able to resubmit for approval and have it purchased for us using ESSER Funds. Our littlest kiddos are now able to use the software that was chosen to be most effective for them by their teachers!! This is all thanks to your work!” – Inner-city Milwaukee Catholic school administrator, November 2020.

“We so much appreciate the Ombudsman’s work related to the ESSER Funds and her great patience exhibited in working with us and so many schools on the fair and equitable treatment. We feel grateful to have her help!!” – Milwaukee Catholic school group finance officer, August 2020.

“Without WCRIS, I would have been in a world of hurt over the last few months. The insight and counsel of others has been, once again, invaluable,” – Southeastern Wisconsin ACSI principal, August 2020.

"Thank you for all of the work you do each day on behalf of all of the private and parochial schools in Wisconsin. I especially want to thank you for your time during this pandemic. All of the sudden changes, updates, and guidance that is constantly changing is very difficult to keep track of. I appreciate all of you and the work you have done to disseminate reliable and timely information." – Janesville area Catholic school principal, June 2020.

"Thank you for working on our behalf to help out students with the ESSER (CARES) funding! I appreciate all the hard work that you all do to help our schools! It is a crazy time and I am glad that WCRIS has our backs and helps to keep us informed and included!" – Columbus area, Catholic school principal, June 2020.

"Without your diligent work and efforts, we truly would be left out of many decisions, which are crucial to our educational success. We are trying to navigate this maze of items that present a conundrum for those of us at the grassroots level. This is why we give thanks for WCRIS and for all you do to keep on top of things that are so important. Thanks for being a blessing!" – Green Bay Lutheran school principal, April 2020.

“Thank you so much for your help and fantastic advice!“ – Racine area Lutheran school principal.

“Thank you so much for pursuing us at our school for this application. After the committee decision, I found out that this was a direct answer to prayer for this young lady. Due to busyness, I had not originally pursued this and I so much appreciate your personal prod.” – Rural Wisconsin Seventh Day Adventist school leader in response to encouragement to the school to identify a student for the Kohl Initiative Scholarship.
“What a blessing you are! Thanks for the in-depth answer – this is EXACTLY what I was looking for. Thank you so much. I forwarded this to all my leadership here and our boards.” – Northern Wisconsin Lutheran school principal.

“We have some great news regarding our bussing issue…. We are certainly happy with the result and can’t thank you enough for your guidance in this effort.” – Southeastern Wisconsin private school parents regarding seeking busing for their 4K students.

“…major kudos plus high-fives for the work you have done that helped influence the Joint Finance Committee’s decision on [keeping the K-12 tuition] tax deduction and protection of the choice programs! That is the best news I have heard in quite some time. We have so much to be thankful for!!!” – Southeastern Wisconsin ACSI school administrator.

“Blessings as you faithfully serve our students, staff and families throughout the great state of Wisconsin.” – Southeastern Wisconsin ACSI school principal in response to WCRIS’ help on special education issues.

“Our School has been a member of WCRIS for many years. The legislative work they do on our behalf is priceless.” – Milwaukee area ACSI school principal.

“Thank you for the Legal Handbook. It’s the best thing since sliced bread. I use it daily and it’s one of the best services you provide schools. I don’t know what I’d do without it.” – Northeast Wisconsin Lutheran school principal.

"I just wanted to thank you for your extreme generosity in supporting our schools. I am so overwhelmed by the kindness & good works through the process of the Herb Kohl nominations. It truly warms my heart.” – Central Wisconsin Lutheran school teacher.

“Thank you so much. You are an immense blessing to the schools (and children) that you serve.” – Southeastern Wisconsin ACSI school principal.

“Your Current Events edition on the Governor’s budget was great. I was able to use it to advise my board about how our schools will be affected by the new administration.” – Metro Milwaukee area Catholic Choice schools.

“My board was going crazy, terrified over the Governor’s proposed budget and your information was a great help in getting them to calm down and understand what’s really happening. Thank You!” – Green Bay Lutheran school.
“I received an e-mail from the School District concerning our bussing question. Success! Thanks for your help with this. I did a happy dance when I opened the email. Thanks again for your guidance!“ – Rural Lutheran school principal struggling with a long-time transportation issue.

“The details of your answers are truly appreciated. Thank you for responding so quickly and with clarity. It’s comforting to have a resource in which to connect. Thank you.” – Milwaukee area Lutheran teacher mentor.

“I was on the Board of INPEA, Indiana’s ‘WCRIS’ and I just want you to know that the communications you send out are wonderful. It’s incredible how updated you keep us. We are so lucky to have WCRIS lobbying on our behalf and I went to your Teacher’s Conference in the Dells and just WOW.” – Green Bay Lutheran school principal.

“Thank you for the hard work that you put into passing the bill to allow private school teachers experience to count for lifetime license. I appreciate all you do for the equality of our private schools and teachers…” – Southern Wisconsin Catholic school principal.

“Thanks for your great work on our behalf. I count ourselves blessed to have WCRIS as an influential voice in our state.” – Central Wisconsin private school administrator on the 2018 teacher licensure victory.
“I received the Annual Update newsletter today. Wow! This is excellent in many ways – high quality graphics, great information, and practical help for educators. Well done! Kudos to you and all of your staff!” – Milwaukee area ACSI school president.

“Thank you! Your advocacy work is appreciated and invaluable. I am thrilled that private school staff are included in the life license bill and that we can also receive the new school safety grant funds. Thank you for all of your hard work.” – Madison Catholic school principal.

“Thank you for doing this…it is great that you are coming to our defense. Thank you for being an advocate for our schools and programs,” – La Crosse Catholic school principal.

"WCRIS does so much to help our school. There are so many benefits to being in WCRIS, and I can’t imagine not sharing in their effort to support private education.” – Metro Milwaukee ACSI school administrator.

“Our school has been around for over 25 years. In all that time, we never sought busing for our students. This summer we had some prospective school families who reside within the district request transportation services. The public school district did not acknowledge us as a private school and would not provide transportation. Thanks to help from WCRIS, we fought back and now have busing, which has helped to retain our enrollment. Thanks WCRIS!” – Central Wisconsin Lutheran school administrator.
“Thanks so much to WCRIS for facilitating the Kohl Competition. It is an honor to represent the schools from WCRIS.” – Kohl Excellence in Educational Leadership Award winner, 2016.

“Thank you so much for your work. Chalk this up as a victory.” – Racine area Lutheran school administrator after WCRIS’ intervention to get equitable Title II funding from a public school district.

“Thanks for your continued work in helping our parents receive the services they are entitled to. It is greatly appreciated.” – Lutheran school principal after working with WCRIS to get equitable busing for students.

“Thanks for helping the Kohl Excellence in Leadership awards come to fruition. This will surely encourage and reward a deserving principal who would otherwise go unrecognized.” – Milwaukee area independent Christian school leader.

“As a contributing school, we were able to utilize WCRIS services after a concern arose regarding title funds. WCRIS worked efficiently to get us a timely answer regarding title funds. Their work resulted in us saving our teachers and school thousands of dollars in professional development funds.” – Kenosha area Lutheran school administrator.
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