The final countdown to the General election for DPI Superintendent has started and voting will begin at 7 a.m. tomorrow, April 6. After a February primary, two candidates emerged. Deb Kerr and Jill Underly will be going head-to-head on the ballot tomorrow. Parental choice has been a big talking point in the race, although the [...]
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Current Events
A library of WCRIS weekly E-letters that keeps you updated on issues of concern to private schools
CESA to Host an EANS Webinar
March 29, 2021
The CESA Network will be hosting a webinar on April 6 at 2 pm. The webinar will cover the EANS program deadlines, the application process, allowable uses of EANS and the CESA Product and Service Catalog. If you have any questions about your application or did not receive an application please contact the DPI’s EANS [...]
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EANS FAQ Bars New Windows and HVACs
March 29, 2021
Disappointment comes with the new EANS FAQ that clarifies if windows or HVACs are allowable uses. The U.S. Department of Education’s (USED) updated FAQ states that new windows or HVAC systems are not allowed. This comes as a shock because several schools were planning to use the money to redo their HVAC systems or windows [...]
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USDE Wants Our Best Practices from Schooling In the Pandemic
March 29, 2021
The U.S. Department of Education created a new clearinghouse to share the lessons learned from schools that have reopened. These lessons will help other schools reopen across the country. School leaders, teachers and support staff are invited to submit what they learned from operating in-person during the pandemic. Details about submissions are located on the Safer [...]
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E-Rate Use Expanded
March 29, 2021
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) expands the uses of the E-rate program, but prior to the Act’s passage, the FCC was already considering altering its policies to allow e-rate technology to be used by students and staff for remote learning. See https://www.edweek.org/technology/fcc-takes-one-step-closer-to-offering-e-rate-funds-for-remote-learning-technology/2021/02. Therefore, it’s possible that this use could extend beyond the September 2023 [...]
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WCRIS 2021 Spring Annual Update
March 25, 2021
See what WCRIS has done over the past year in our 2021 Spring Annual Update. This year, the Annual Update will be available only digitally. We encourage you to share it with your parents, school boosters and local elected officials. Click here to read what is inside.
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Stop Attack on Private School Freedoms
March 22, 2021
Faith leaders from the religious organizations that underwrite and sponsor many WCRIS school groups are urging its school boosters to contact U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson, to ask them to oppose the Equality Act (H.R. 5), which is intended to “prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation, and [...]
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EANS Update and Important Information
March 18, 2021
President Biden signed a second round of EANS funding into law on March 11 under the American Rescue Plan Act. EANS II allocates an estimated $67 million for Wisconsin. DPI is awaiting directions from the feds about how it will be distributed. Currently, the law appears to mirror EANS I, but does not allow reimbursements. [...]
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Employee Retention Federal Tax Credit
March 18, 2021
In the December Coronavirus relief law, Congress created a federal tax credit of up to $5,000 per worker for employers, including non-profits, who maintained their staff during local and state government lock-down orders. Your school may qualify. It’s refundable and not too late to seek. Ask your accountant. Here’s a primer on the tax credit, [...]
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Middle and High School Writing Contest
March 18, 2021
The Wisconsin Newspaper Association is now receiving editorial writings and cartoons for their annual writing contest, which awards monetary prizes. This year’s theme is about celebrating the First Amendment. Learn more here.
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