With a second state-issued School Report Card and recent changes to all of the Parental Choice programs, there is much Choice school leaders must know this year in order to operate effective, quality schools. Don’t miss this free workshop to learn about these critical issues.

9:00 – 11:00 a.m. — Making Sense of the School Report Card for Choice Schools

DPI representatives will explain the School Report Card for Choice schools. Laura Pinsonneault, director of the Office of Education Accountability; Jeff Pertl, DPI’s senior policy advisor; and Tricia Collins, director of the School Management Services Team, will discuss the School Report Cards and the data that is used to create them. They will offer “best practices” for working with WISEID and WISEData and explain how best to report important information about your school. You are encouraged to bring key staff members who would benefit from this update.

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. — What’s New in the Choice Programs?

The DPI’s Tricia Collins will provide an update on changes in the Choice programs made through Act 36 and the Biennial Budget, as well as offer insights about common questions and practices regarding the programs.

12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Lunch

1:00 – 2:00 p.m. — The Devil is in the Details: An Update on Financial Reserves

A new provision was passed under Act 36 that requires schools to refund their Choice reserves if sufficient cash and investments are not maintained. This is critical for Choice schools to understand.

The law says: “A private school participating in the program under this section shall maintain a cash and investment balance that is at least equal to its reserve balance. If a private school does not maintain a cash and investment balance that is at least equal to its reserve balance the private school shall refund the reserve balance to the department. If a private school ceases to participate in or is barred from the program under this section and s. 118.60 and the private school’s reserve balance is positive, the private school shall refund the reserve balance to the department.”

We’ll explain the new provision and provide best practices schools should adopt to prevent financial losses. Schools are encouraged to bring business managers, bookkeepers, school board members and pastors to this session.

2:00 – 3:00 p.m. — The Best of Times and the Worst of Times: Year One of the Special Needs Scholarship Program

A panel of school leaders will share their experience with the first year of the program.

Register for the workshop below. 

This free workshop is made possible through a collaboration of the Wisconsin Council of Religious & Independent Schools (WCRIS), Choice Schools Association, School Choice Wisconsin, the Milwaukee Archdiocese Office of Catholic Schools, and the Department of Public Instruction.