Governor Evers Signs 2019 Wisconsin Act 185
Governor Tony Evers signed 2019 Wisconsin Act 185 (“Act 185” or “the Act”) into law on April 15, 2020. The Act produced a series of statutory changes concerning the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on Wisconsin school districts. Nonstatutory Provisions On April 16, 2020, the Department of Public Instruction (“DPI” or “the Department”) emailed Wisconsin […]
Grading, Credit Determinations, and Other Considerations for the 2019-2020 School Year and Beyond
To say that this school year has presented educators with unique and complex challenges may be the understatement of the century. Governor Evers’ revised Safer at Home Order, including the school closure component, made official what most have expected would be the case – school is closed for the “remainder of the 2019-2020 school year”. […]
Five Takeaways from the Department of Labor’s FFCRA Regulations
On April 1, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued regulations to clarify the paid leave provisions in the recently-enacted Families First Coronavirus Relief Act (FFCRA). The new regulations, which were effective as of April 2, 2020, provide detailed rules for implementing the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSLA) and the Emergency Family and […]
Legal Issues for a School District to Consider When Choosing Video Conferencing Services for Virtual or Remote Learning Programs
As a result of the State of Wisconsin’s orders, which indefinitely closed public and private schools for purposes of pupil instruction and extracurricular activities, except for virtual learning, due to the health emergency caused by COVID-19, school districts have been forced to implement or expand virtual or remote learning programs. Such programs utilize video conferencing, […]
Enhanced Unemployment Compensation Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act
In two previous Legal Updates, we addressed the Unemployment Insurance benefits in Wisconsin and the passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. As our prior article on Unemployment Insurance benefits was drafted before the passage of the CARES Act, this Legal Update will provide additional information regarding those provisions of the CARES Act that […]
Wisconsin Elections Commission Advises that Prohibition on Disclosing Unofficial Election Results Remains in Effect
In our previous Legal Update, we explained the flurry of legal actions and court decisions that occurred in the last few days before today’s Spring Election. As discussed in the earlier Legal Update, the United States Supreme Court (the “Supreme Court”) overruled the injunction issued by the United States District Court for the Western District of […]
Federal Injunction Did Not Delay Spring Election but Will Impact School Districts’ Post-Election Activities
From the beginning of the public health emergency caused by COVID-19, it seemed likely it would impact the April 7, 2020, Spring Election. After the Department of Health Services (the “DHS”) closed schools effective March 18, 2020, the Wisconsin Elections Commission (the “WEC”) authorized municipal clerks to change/consolidate polling places to address closed locations such […]
President Trump Signs Massive Stimulus Package: The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act
On Friday March 27, 2020, President Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) into law. The CARES Act is an 880 page economic stimulus package worth approximately $2 trillion that includes a relief intended to aid individuals, businesses, and governmental entities during the COVID-19 pandemic its associated economic consequences. This […]
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 […]
Impact of COVID-19 on Pending Litigation
Public and private sector entities with pending court litigation or pending discrimination complaints/charges are questioning how COVID-19 will impact their cases. Initially, the Wisconsin circuit courts determined how to address COVID-19 concerns at the circuit court level. This led to inconsistent practices among circuit courts. On March 22, 2020, the Wisconsin Supreme Court issued several […]
