WiRSA Update - April 1, 2025
Thank You! - WiRSA 2024 Conference Sponsors
Quick Overview of WiRSA Update:
Welcoming our 2025 new WiRSA Board Members
WiRSA Senior Scholarships 2025 - Let me introduce you to the next three scholarship awards
Highlight - The Lakeland Area Consortium for Mental Health Services and the grant they received
Highlight - Presenting at our NREA’s - NFARE (National Forum to Advance Rural Education) Conference in Salt Lake City
Legislative Update - Assembly and Senate Bills
WISCONSIN EYE’s Pie chart tracking the topics presented at the Joint Finance Hearings
Assembly and Senate Education-Related Bills by date introduced
LRB-0055 - Posting the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Hotline in School Buildings
EXECUTIVE ACTION BY THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION on AB-2 / SB-29 Wireless Devices - Requiring school boards to adopt policies to prohibit the use of wireless communication devices during instructional time.
Joint Finance Hearings coming up
Gov. Evers’ press releases related to education
News Releases from DPI
DPI Announces statewide information sessions “Funding the Future”
DPI has complied with a new court ruling - the Department of Ed’s compliance certificate in Ed Leaders
DPI Pushes Back Against USDE Certification Request
Northwestern - Institute for Policy Research
The Benefits of Increased School Spending
Wisconsin POLICY FORUM
Voters Approve Majority of Referenda Even as “Retry” Efforts Increase
Future of Education Technology Conference
on Thursday, April 24 at 4 p.m. ET entitled AI-Powered Superintendent Solutions: Expert Insights on Overcoming District Challenges
This discussion featuring seasoned education leaders as we explore how superintendents can leverage AI tools and chatbots to address the most pressing challenges facing school districts today. This session will provide actionable tactics to enhance equity, articulate and implement your district's strategic plan, and employ resources effectively.
Even if you aren't able to attend the live event, feel free to register, and you will receive access to the presentation and the event recording.
Office of School Safety - Newly revised Wisconsin School Threat Assessment and Management Protocol
Announcment
Please welcome our newest WiRSA board members!
Mykayla Sygula represents Region 3 (CESA 10 & 11). Mykayla serves as the school psychologist for the Cornell School District. Previously, Mykayla was a school counselor and director of special education. She grew up in Whitehall, WI, and currently lives with her husband and three daughters. Her experience as both a student and a professional has predominantly been in rural schools, and she has a deep appreciation for the unique culture and community that can only be found in small, rural settings. Mykayla is grateful for the opportunity to advocate for the value that rural schools offer to students and society.
Betsy Gruszynski represents Region 4 (CESA 8, 9 & 12). Betsy works for CESA 9, focusing on helping districts secure staffing and professional development through shared services. With 32 years in education, primarily in small rural schools, Betsy has experience ranging from teaching Family & Consumer Education to building what is believed to be the first full-time school-operated child care center in Wisconsin, as well as serving 15 years as an elementary principal. She understands many of the challenges that small districts face.
WiRSA Scholarships 2025
In recognition of the tremendous efforts put forth by Wisconsin’s rural schools to provide their students with quality education in an ever-changing environment, it is with pleasure that the Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance (WiRSA) offers 10 senior scholarships.
Congratulations to these three scholarship winners!
Click on their picture for more information!
Chaya Blackburn - Prairie du Chien
Theodore Hovde - Colfax
Ellie Schiszik - Elk Mound
Highlight
Lakeland Area Schools Consortium receives grant to expand mental health resources
The Lakeland Area Consortium School Districts have built a model that allows more accessibility to mental health services, and they received $55,000 from WEA Members Benefit. The Lakeland Area Consortium districts include North Lakeland Elementary, Lakeland Union High School, Arbor Vitae/Woodruff School, MHLT, and Lac Du Flambeau School District. Info from News Watch 12
See the News Watch 12 report - Lily Alsteen (April 10, 2025)
Highlight
Presenting at our NREA’s
NFARE (National Forum to Advance Rural Education)
Conference in Salt Lake City
WiRSA board member Sue Todey and new CESA 7 administrator Aaron Malczewski were selected to present at the National Forum to Advance Rural Education Conference in Salt Lake City, UT, in October 2025. They will bring their expertise to the conference and focus on " Empowerment & Possibilities, " which emphasizes ways education can nurture leadership, entrepreneurship, and resilience in rural students and communities. Thank you both for presenting and supporting rural education!
Legislative Update
WISCONSIN EYE Is tracking the Joint Finance Committee Hearings
Assembly Education Related Bills - Sorted by: Date Introduced - Bill - Companions - (April 3)
Senate Education Related Bills - Sorted by: Date Introduced - Bill - Companions - (April 3)
LRB-0055 - Posting the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Hotline in School Buildings - Relating to: required human trafficking prevention instruction in certain grades; teacher training related to identifying victims of child trafficking; and posting the child abuse and neglect reporting hotline in school buildings.
EXECUTIVE ACTION BY THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
AB-002 / AB-2 OurGov Wireless Devices - Requiring school boards to adopt policies to prohibit the use of wireless communication devices during instructional time. Passage recommended, 4-1 (Keyeski).
SB-029 / SB-29 OurGov Wireless Devices Requiring school boards to adopt policies to prohibit the use of wireless communication devices during instructional time. Am.1 adopted, 4-1 (Keyeski).
Public Hearing Held
AB166 - Relating to: academic and career planning services provided to pupils and requiring the reporting of certain data on college student costs and outcomes.
INTRODUCED / First Reading
AB156 - Relating to: requiring child sexual abuse prevention education.
SB171 - Relating to: requiring child sexual abuse prevention education.
AB159 - Relating to: creating a rural creative economy development grant program.
SB173 - Relating to: creating a rural creative economy development grant program.
SB199 - Relating to: academic and career planning services provided to pupils and requiring the reporting of certain data on college student costs and outcomes.
AB196 - Relating to: rehired annuitants in the Wisconsin Retirement System.
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Joint Finance Budget Hearings
Monday, April 28, 2025 (10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
Hayward High School Auditorium
10320 Greenwood Lane, Hayward, WI 54843
Tuesday, April 29, 2025 (10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
Northcentral Technical College, Center for Health Sciences
1000 West Campus Drive, Wausau, WI 54401
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Legislative Maps - 2024 & 2022 (Interactive)
You can find your legislator and their contact information by CLICKING THIS LINK and entering your address.
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DPI - News!
Press Releases: - Current News Releases from DPI
DPI’s announcement of statewide information sessions “Funding the Future” News: State Superintendent Launches Effort To Highlight Impact of State, Federal Funding on Wisconsin Public Schools and Libraries. We hope to see you at one of these events.
DPI has complied with a new court ruling by sharing an update regarding the Department of Ed’s compliance certification in the Ed Leaders Dispatch April 11, 2025 | Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Dr. Underly public statement: News: Wisconsin DPI Pushes Back Against USDE Certification Request
News / Articles / Webinars
Northwestern - Institute for Policy Research
Wisconsin POLICY FORUM
Future of Education Technology Conference
on Thursday, April 24 at 4 p.m. ET entitled AI-Powered Superintendent Solutions: Expert Insights on Overcoming District Challenges
Join us for a discussion featuring seasoned education leaders as we explore how superintendents can leverage AI tools and chatbots to address the most pressing challenges facing school districts today. This session will provide actionable tactics to enhance equity, articulate and implement your district's strategic plan, and employ resources effectively.
Even if you aren't able to attend the live event, feel free to register and you will receive access to the presentation and the event recording.
DA - District Administrator
OFFICE OF SCHOOL SAFETY
OFFICE OF SCHOOL SAFETY SAFETY RESOURCES TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES VIRTUAL LEARNING
Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management
OSS has released an updated BTAM Guide to accompany the newly revised Wisconsin School Threat Assessment and Management Protocol (WSTAMP-R24). Revisions have been made to the Flowchart, Triage, Inquiry, Interviews and Additional Sources of Information forms. Additionally, new forms have been created and include Assessment (separate forms available depending on whether an Inquiry was completed first), Interviews (for younger students of concern and target), Restorative Contract, Plan to Protect a Targeted Person, and an Intervention and Support Plan. The revised forms and guide will replace the previous version on the website. We recommend the use of the new forms moving forward. For those in the middle of an assessment, the discontinued WSTAMP
Updated: Wisconsin School Threat Assessment and Management Protocol (WSTAMP-R24) and Guide
Update From NREA (National Rural Education Association) From the NREA Weekly Update
Become a Member - View State Affiliates
Hill Day in Washington, D.C.
The NREA Legislative Committee was hard at work in D.C. last week with meetings and briefings! The Legislative Committee is focused on advocating on behalf of rural schools in the areas of funding, data and research, and education and workforce investments. We are proud of this work and encourage you to learn more about it on our website.
