Statewide Public School Choice Only a Signature Away from Becoming Law
Wisconsin Coalition of Virtual School Families Praises Passage of SB2
The Wisconsin Coalition of Virtual School Families applauds the passage of SB2, legislation that expands the open enrollment process and will usher in year-round public school choice throughout the State of Wisconsin.
Coalition President Jane Kummer-Meyer issued the following statement Thursday:
“This is the single largest expansion of parental rights in Wisconsin public education in generations. Now, if a public school is willing to enroll a student anytime during the year the only way that transfer is blocked is if bureaucrats try to say they, and not parents, have the best interest of the child at heart.
“This creates full-year, statewide public school choice in Wisconsin.
“What a fitting end to School Choice week. I'd like to thank the hundreds of members of our Coalition, without whom this advancement would not have been possible. This isn't a virtual school-only bill. It is a bill that will empower every parent in Wisconsin but it was the Wisconsin Coalition of Virtual School Families who pushed, prodded and spoke out on talk shows and in town halls across the state to get this bill done in a way that empowers parents, not bureaucrats.
“To pass this important bill with bipartisan support in the current atmosphere in Madison is a testament to the hard work and determination of concerned families who let their lawmakers know how important public school choice is. We appreciate the legislators who supported this bill and eagerly await Governor Walker signing this into law.
“Once SB2 is signed into law, the Wisconsin Coalition of Virtual School Families will diligently follow the rulemaking process to ensure that parental rights remain paramount and that the promise of full-year statewide public school choice is realized."
NOTE: The key amendment (SA1 to AA3) that cemented the parental empowerment component of SB2 reads as follows: The parent of the pupil and the nonresident school board agree that attending school in the nonresident school district is in the best interests of the pupil. If the resident school board notifies the parent of the pupil who applies under this subdivision that the pupil may not attend the nonresident school district, the parent may appeal the resident school district’s decision to the department and must explain in the appeal why the pupil applied to attend school in the nonresident school district. The resident school district must respond to the appeal and provide an explanation for rejecting the pupil’s transfer into the nonresident school district. If the department determines that the resident school district’s decision to deny the pupil’s transfer into the nonresident school district is not in the best interests of the pupil, the department shall notify the resident and nonresident school districts and the pupil’s parent that the pupil may attend the nonresident school district. The department’s determination under this subdivision is final.”
