Today, Gov. Evers announced a list 155 of school districts that will receive federal GEER funds apportioned to Wisconsin as part of the CARES Act signed by Congress in April. The details of how the money will be spent are to be worked out with the Department of Public Instruction (DPI). Federal law requires that [...]
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Current Events
A library of WCRIS weekly E-letters that keeps you updated on issues of concern to private schools
612 Results found for category: Miscellaneous
ESSER Grant App Opens July 30
July 23, 2020
Public school districts were just notified by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) that the ESSER grant application will open in WISEgrants on July 30. Once the grant is open, districts can apply for the ESSER funds. WISEgrantswill automatically calculate a proportional share of ESSER funds based on total enrollment and based on low-income counts [...]
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DPI Agrees on Interim Compromise
July 14, 2020
Several states are pursuing litigation against the US Department of Education (USDE) after the publishing of an Interim Final Rule (IFR) meant to compel states to follow the federal interpretation of the proportional share calculation under the CARES Act. While the lawsuit plays out on a national scale, the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) Superintendent [...]
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Impact on Your Non-Teaching Workforce
July 09, 2020
If your school turns to all-virtual learning in Fall, your teachers may be busier than ever while support staff (janitors and clerical) may have less to do. You can get help meeting payroll for these less engaged workers. A program through the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development is designed to help employers keep employees during [...]
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USDE Seeks Comment
July 09, 2020
Wisconsin is joining a lawsuit by three other states challenging the Secretary of Education’s Interim Final Rule on ESSER Funds. Meanwhile, the US Department of Education (USDE) is taking comments about the rule, which calls for a “total enrollment” formula for distributing the Coronavirus aid. Your action is needed. Please make comments on the rule [...]
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Religious Liberty Protected in Landmark Case
June 30, 2020
On June 30, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its ruling declaring that Montana’s “Blaine Amendment” is unconstitutional because it violates the First Amendment. In the case of Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue, parents sought to use Montana’s tax credit scholarship to attend a religious private school. The state barred the parents from using the [...]
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USDE Releases Interim ESSER Rule
June 25, 2020
Today the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) released an Interim Final Rule (IFR) to clarify the disputed Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) fund guidance from April. According to USDE, the IFR has the full force of law. The rule is “interim” to allow for a 30 day public comment period. WCRIS schools should [...]
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ESSER Funds and Other Program Confusion
June 18, 2020
Question: I was told today that our public school district uses Title 1 funds only for reading support up to grade 5. This would not be a preferred model for our private school. We prefer the Coronavirus Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds be used for all students. We have voucher (WPCP) families [...]
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Gov. Evers Says GEER Funds to Flow
June 17, 2020
On Wednesday (6/17) Governor Evers announced his plans to start spending the state’s federal Emergency Coronavirus aid for K-12 schools. The Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) funds provide Wisconsin with $46 million in federal relief from Congress (CARES Act). The GEER funds “will prioritize students and districts that have the highest remote learning needs and [...]
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Ten Days to Claim ESSER Funds; Act Fast
June 11, 2020
The DPI has released additional guidance related to the Elementary and Secondary Education Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) to support public school districts and private schools in navigating the consultation and planning process for using the funds to support students during COVID-19. The guidance can be found here, Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Equitable [...]
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