WiRSA Update - May 13, 2025

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Quick Overview of WiRSA Update: BACK TO THE TOP

  • Story of Appreciation

  • Small, Rural School Achievement (SRSA) Program—the FY25 application window is now open.

  • WOSTA - (Wisconsin Out of School Time Alliance) WEBINAR - Unlocking Opportunities: Understanding the Wisconsin Shares Child Care Subsidy Program

  • WPEN - Tracked the JFC public hearings and next steps

    • For 16 consecutive years, Wisconsin kids have been given state budgets that have failed to keep pace with inflation. It’s time to end the cycle of inadequate funding and restore our commitment – and our constitutional obligation – to our children.

  • Webinar - Broadband Expansion

    •  How broadband expansion can enhance rural workforce development and regional economic growth

  • WASBO’s Policy Perspective - WASBO’s Research Director (Anne Chapman)

    • How changing the way Wisconsin pays for voucher schools could affect public schools and the state budget

  • Legislative Update - Assembly and Senate Bills

    • SB-170 & AB-196 - Relating to: rehired annuitants in the Wisconsin Retirement System.

    • LRB-0322 - relating to: a school psychologist loan program

    • AB-210 - Relating to: changes to amount of, and criteria for designating recipients of, academic excellence higher education scholarships.

    • Assembly & Senate Bills

  • DPI News

    • State Superintendent Dr. Underly urges lawmakers to prioritize education in state budget

  • NREA (National Rural Education Association) Update

    • I am a Rural Teacher Project

    • NREA Conference Registration

  • News Articles

    • WiSCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO

    • Marquette Today

    • FETC

    • Learning Policy Institute

    • DA - District Administrator

    • WISCONSIN EXAMINER

    • News From The States

Story of Appreciation

Teachers dedicate their lives to educating and caring for the next generation of students. Students who will be engineers, teachers, doctors, scientists, plumbers, or artists, but more importantly, the next generation responsible for taking care of each other and the planet. We know it has never been easy, especially now– but we see you and we are eternally grateful for the work you do every day. (Produced - Captive Media)

CHASING GREEN LIGHTS
Stories of Apprciation
A Teacher's Story of Grit, Healing, Inspiration & Encouragement 

Melissa Oberg, Special Education Teacher at Cook County Schools - named the 2024 National Rural Teacher of the Year.

Informational

I wanted to share an important update regarding the Small, Rural School Achievement (SRSA) Program—the FY25 application window is now open.

SRSA Application Deadline:
June 28, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time
Details and instructions:
Federal Register Notice - SRSA FY25 Application Deadline

Additional Guidance for SRSA Applicants:
This resource from the U.S. Department of Education provides key information for school districts preparing their applications.
ED Info Page for REAP/SRSA Applicants

Informational

If you have a child care center, you may be interested in…

Unlocking Opportunities: Understanding the Wisconsin Shares Child Care Subsidy Program

Join us for an informative webinar on the Wisconsin Shares Child Care Subsidy Program, designed to help eligible working families access affordable, quality childcare. This session will provide a detailed overview of the program, including eligibility criteria, application process, and benefits. Whether you're a parent, caregiver, or childcare provider, this webinar will equip you with the knowledge to navigate and maximize the opportunities offered by Wisconsin Shares.

Date: Monday, May 19

Time: 12:00 - 1:00 pm

Register Here

Informational

WAYS TO TAKE ACTION NOW:

1) It's time to connect with our own lawmakers across the state to tell our local stories and make sure they know what’s at stake for local students. This is about meeting kids’ needs and providing them with the conditions it takes to thrive in our public schools. Let them know you appreciate our public schools and expect an investment in the 2025-2027 state budget that puts kids first. 

That means: a significant increase in spendable state aid (with an increase to revenue limits and aid aligned with priority needs) AND at least a 60% sum sufficient reimbursement for special education costs.

  • Phone: Call (608) 266-0382 for the capitol switchboard and get connected to your representatives. Call (608) 266-1212 to contact Governor Evers.

  • Email: Click here for our copy/paste-able list of all the members of the Joint Committee on Finance. Don't forget to CC your own representatives! Use this contact form to send your message to the Governor. 

  • Set up a meeting with them in person to let lawmakers know public schools are your issue, too!

2) Share our tracker far and wide. Click here to share the pie chart graphic at the top of this message on Facebook.

3) Sign our petition calling on the Governor to close the special education funding gap in the 2025-2027 budget.

4) Invite the individuals you know to join the chorus of public education champions speaking up across Wisconsin. 

5) Save the date and stay tuned for more information on how you can participate in our upcoming statewide day of action on Tuesday, May 27 in Madison or where you live. 

WPEN is a non-profit boots-on-the-ground supporting Public Education. They did a great job tracking the #1 issue of funding public education during the Joint Finance public hearings.

For 16 consecutive years, Wisconsin kids have been given state budgets that have failed to keep pace with inflation. It’s time to end the cycle of inadequate funding and restore our commitment – and our constitutional obligation – to our children. Click HERE for more Information

Informational

WEBINAR
Thursday, May 29, 2-3 p.m.

Future-Proofing Rural Jobs:
Broadband and Regional Collaboration 

Join us for an insightful webinar on how broadband expansion can enhance rural workforce development and regional economic growth. This session will feature leading experts in regional planning and workforce development, providing valuable insights and introducing new initiatives. Additionally, we will present national findings on building tech ecosystems in rural areas that support long-term outcomes in community, workforce, and economic development.

WASBO’s Policy Perspective on the Price of Parallel Systems
How changing the way Wisconsin pays for voucher schools could affect public schools and the state budget


This is a must-read article from WASBO’s Research Director, Anne Chapman.

Click here or any picture to see the article.

Legislative Update

Bill Additions or Updates

  • SB-170 & AB 196 - Relating to: rehired annuitants in the Wisconsin Retirement System.

    • This bipartisan bill would allow WRS annuitants to return to work without suspending their annuity. The bill would require employers to pay into the ETF (Department of Employee Trust Funds) equal to what the annuitant would have paid into the ETF had they forgoen their annuity. It also retains the 75-day break-in-service currently required by law.

  • LRB-0322/1, relating to: a school psychologist loan program

    • Addressing the mental health of our youth has become more and more important as depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns have skyrocketed over the last several years. One area that needs addressing is Wisconsin’s school psychologist shortage. The National Association of School Psychologists has a recommended state standard of 500 students to 1 school psychologist. According to 2021-2022 data, Wisconsin has a ratio of 815:1.

    • To incentivize students to go into this field, LRB-0322 creates a school psychologist loan forgiveness program that models the program for teachers. Administered by the Higher Educational Aids Board (HEAB), they may award to those eligible a loan up to $10,000 annually for up to three years. HEAB must also forgive 25% of the loan for each school year that the recipient is employed as a school psychologist in an urbanized county or rural area.

  • AB-210 - Relating to: changes to amount of, and criteria for designating recipients of, academic excellence higher education scholarships.

    • Under this bill, the school board or governing body of a high school with enrollment of at least one pupil but less than 500 pupils may designate one senior to receive the scholarship with no nomination process or designation from HEAB. The bill also clarifies that a senior eligible to receive the scholarship relief does not include a pupil enrolled in a home-based private educational program.

  • Protecting the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Part C and Part B, Sec. 619

    • Many thanks to you and your organization for signing on to the attached letter in support of protecting the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Part C and Part B, Sec. 619 in the face of the recent Executive Order and legislative proposals to dismantle the Department of Education. The letter was sent to Congressional leadership on both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, House Committee on Education & Workforce, and Senate HELP with the signed support of 34 national organizations and 85 state-level organizations.

  • Assembly Education Related Bills - Sorted by: Date Introduced - Bill - Companions - (May 13)

    • In Addition

      • AB-224 - Relating to: the form of referendum questions.

      • AB-226 - Relating to: prohibiting school boards and independent charter schools from providing food containing certain ingredients in free or reduced-price meals.

      • AB-244 - Relating to: posting the child abuse and neglect reporting hotline in school buildings.

        245

  • Senate Education Related Bills - Sorted by: Date Introduced - Bill - Companions - (May 13)

    • In Addtion (Not on the list)

      • SB-246 - Relating to: a special observance day in schools for Armenian Genocide Awareness Day.

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DPI - News!

Press Releases: - Current News Releases from DPI

Update From NREA (National Rural Education Association) From the NREA Weekly Update

Become a Member - View State Affiliates

I Am A Rural Teacher Project

I Am A Rural Teacher is a national advocacy campaign that gives voice to rural teachers. This shared project of the NREA and Rural Schools Collaborative has showcased the work of rural teachers from across the country since 2019.

With support from Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies and the ECMC Foundation, I Am A Rural Teacher will be strengthening its focus on rural teacher recruitment, preparation, and retention. This enhanced effort will be four-fold, continuing past programs and developing new opportunities for teachers to share their perspectives:

  1. Voices from the Field: Podcast Series - Emphasizing teacher voice, these short podcasts highlight why teachers love the work they do every day.

  2. Uplifting Teacher Narratives - Sharing the experiences and perspectives of these rural leaders is essential to elevating the teaching profession and shining a spotlight on the power of education to empower rural students and communities.

  3. Emergent Educators’ Advisory Council - These rural educators, in their first three years of teaching, advise Rural Schools Collaborative based upon their experiences in the classroom and receive specialized professional development to help them thrive as rural teachers.

  4. Rural Resilience Strategies - Through dedicated projects with RSC's regional Hub Network, the I Am A Rural Teacher platform identifies needs facing teachers and fosters collaborative projects to develop solutions and strategies that make an impact in the everyday lives of teachers everywhere.

Join Us and RSC for The Nation’s Premier Rural Education Conference - Registration Open NOW!

The National Forum to Advance Rural Education isn’t just a conference—it’s a dynamic, high-energy experience where passion fuels innovation and ideas spark real change.

Get ready for three days packed with inspiring keynotes, engaging learning sessions, and powerful networking opportunities, all designed to spark new ideas and tackle the unique challenges and opportunities of rural education. 

If you share our passion and excitement, Salt Lake City is the place to be! Let’s learn, connect, and transform the future—together! See you October 13-15, 2025.

Register Now

News / Articles / Webinars

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