In a conference call with the Department of Public Instruction’s (DPI) Assistant State Superintendent Robert Soldner Thursday afternoon (8/6), WCRIS was given the following information about issues of great concern to our schools: 1. Pupil Counts: The DPI is working on issuing updated guidance on hours of instruction and modes of instruction. Soldner said the [...]
Read More
Current Events
A library of WCRIS weekly E-letters that keeps you updated on issues of concern to private schools
Sample COVID-19 Liability Waivers
August 06, 2020
Many WCRIS principals have been asking about liability waivers as they head into a new school year with possible in-person instruction, and the health threats posed by COVID-19. Church Mutual, which insures WCRIS and many of the churches that sponsor our schools, has provided sample waivers, and other resources on their website. Since the resources [...]
Read More
Nonpublic School Advocates File More Amicus Briefs
August 06, 2020
For the second time, WCRIS is helping defend the ability of religious and independent schools to fully access the federal ESSER funds provided by Congress for pandemic relief. Thanks to the Wisconsin Institute for Law & LIberty (WILL), an amicus brief signed by 38 nonpublic school groups, including WCRIS, was filed Wednesday (8/5) in the [...]
Read More
WCRIS Joins National Fight for ESSER Funds
July 29, 2020
An amicus, or friend of the court brief, signed by WCRIS and 38 other nonpublic school groups from around the country, was filed by the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) in the U.S. District Court of Northern California this afternoon (July 29). The brief is supporting the U.S. Department of Education’s Interim Final [...]
Read More
Updated IEP Guidance for the Pandemic
July 29, 2020
The DPI released updated guidance on how to handle Individualized Education Programs (IEP) and special education issues during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected access to public school staff generating the plans. The guidance was issued in July. You can read it here.
Read More
List of GEER Fund Recipients Released
July 23, 2020
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 [...]
Read More
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 [...]
Read More
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 [...]
Read More
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 [...]
Read More
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 [...]
Read More