2021-23 Wisconsin State Biennial Budget Bill
On July 8, 2021, Governor Evers announced line-item vetoes and signed the 2021-23 Wisconsin State Biennial Budget Bill, which allocates taxpayer dollars for the next two fiscal years. This Budget Bill includes a $2 billion income tax cut, reduces property taxes, lifts the UW System’s tuition freeze, restores two-thirds funding for schools, and authorizes infrastructure […]
Students Have First Amendment Rights Regarding Off Campus Speech
On June 23, 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L, No. 20-255, which serves as a warning to public school districts about disciplining students for online and off-campus speech. The facts of this case are no surprise to school district officials across the country, who have been […]
Open Meetings Law and Closed Session Reminder
As new school board members and other municipal officers are taking their oaths, it is a good time for a reminder about the Open Meetings Law and closed sessions. This Legal Update will review some basic, but important, information about governmental body meetings and closed sessions. Every meeting of a governmental body must initially be […]
Covid-19 Vaccines and School District Employees
As COVID-19 vaccines are approved and distributed, public school districts must determine whether they will impose any rules governing employees and the COVID-19 vaccine. This Legal Update will review the legal issues surrounding such decisions. This Legal Update will not address the laws governing the administration of the COVID-19 vaccines to students. In December 2020, […]
School Districts Must Report to DPI on Virtual Instruction and Other Impacts of the School Closure
By November 1, 2020, public school districts must report information to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) regarding the period of school closure (March 18 – June 30, 2020). The report must include information about the delivery of virtual instruction to students during the period of school closure, the meals served to students during […]
Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Grant Process Revealed by DPI
In accordance with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the US Department of Education has established a $30.75 billion Education Stabilization Fund comprised of three separate allocations: (1) a Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund, (2) an Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund, and (3) a Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund. […]
New Title IX Regulations Create Sweeping Changes for School Districts’ Responses to Sexual Harassment Complaints and Investigations
On May 6, 2020, the U.S. Department of Education (“the Department”) issued new final regulations under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance. The new regulations, which make sweeping changes to the existing Title IX regulations, […]
Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employee Leave Notices
On March 18, 2020, Congress passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). President Trump signed it into law shortly thereafter. The FFCRA established two new leaves of absence for employees arising out of or related to the COVID-19 pandemic: Emergency Paid Sick Leave and Expanded Family and Medical Leave. This leave is available to […]
Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Leave Provisions
On March 18, 2020, Congress passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). President Trump signed it into law shortly thereafter. The FFCRA will become effective within 15 days and remains in effect until December 31, 2020. The FFCRA is intended to assist the country with the COVID-19 pandemic. This Legal Update will highlight two […]
Small Territory Detachment and Attachment (School District Reorganization)
Every year, school districts across the state receive school district reorganization petitions; yet, the process of addressing such petitions can be confusing. This article will provide an overview of the process for addressing small territory detachment and attachment petitions. School district reorganizations are governed by Wis. Stat. Ch. 117. A school district “reorganization” is “the […]
