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| NEWS RELEASE: Supporters of Public Virtual Schools Hope for Progress Tuesday |
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Coalition Hopeful Lawmakers' Keep Word, Pass Negotiated Agreement
February 15, 2008
For Immediate Release February 15, 2008
For further information, contact: Rose 262-565-7844
Supporters of Public Virtual Schools Hope for Progress Tuesday
Coalition Hopeful Lawmakers' Keep Word, Pass Negotiated Agreement
[Madison, Wisc…] State legislators are one step closer to an amazing bipartisan accomplishment. SB396, the Bipartisan Public Virtual School Rescue Plan negotiated and authored by Sen. John Lehman (D-Racine) will be voted on by the full State Senate Tuesday.
"This is developing into an incredible civics lesson for all Wisconsin's children," said Rose Fernandez, President of the Wisconsin Coalition of virtual School Families. "We trust our elected officials will honor their word and pass this delicately-balanced, carefully crafted, bipartisan compromise by a wide margin and without alterations that could derail this noteworthy agreement."
On January 16, more than 1,100 children, teachers and parents rallied on the steps of the Capitol in Madison, urging lawmakers to save their public schools. On January 24, lawmakers announced with much fanfare that they had arrived at bipartisan compromise. Both SB396 and AB697 were later amended in committee to contain the identical language, reflecting that bipartisan agreement. The Bipartisan Public Virtual School Rescue Plan then sailed through, unamended, in both Senate and Assembly Education Committees. The agreed upon deal passed the Senate Committee unanimously, and the Assembly Committee on a bipartisan vote of 6-3.
"All sides gave up some of what they wanted to achieve this bipartisan agreement that preserves public virtual schools as an option for Wisconsin families," said Fernandez. "When people of good will negotiate in good faith, democracy can work and achieve good."
The Senate is scheduled to take the floor at 11 am Tuesday, February 19.
A December decision by the Court of Appeals said that the Wisconsin Virtual Academy, which operates in a similar manner to a half dozen other public charter schools in Wisconsin, was in violation of three specific areas of Wisconsin Law: namely the open enrollment, charter school and teacher licensure statutes.
This ruling puts online education at risk in districts throughout Wisconsin. Even though the ruling is being appealed, without the passage of the Bipartisan Public Virtual School Rescue Plan, Wisconsin's public virtual schools could close this year. More than 3,000 children presently attend these schools.
Hopes are high for the compromise
"Today, the Legislature made strides toward ensuring quality virtual education options for Wisconsin students and their parents," said [State Senator John] Lehman. "Unanimous approval of the bipartisan compromise shows what positive things can happen when politics are put aside in favor of public policy that favors Wisconsin families."-Racine Journal Times, January 30, 2008
Governor Doyle, in Milwaukee today, says he's confident that if Democratic Senator John Lehman is agreeing to the compromise, he's probably going to support it.-Janesville Gazette, January 24, 2008
Wisconsin's top education officials praised lawmakers for acting quickly. Although the DPI supported virtual education as an innovative reality and an effective educational strategy for some students, legislation was needed to address the policy issues of fair access, fair funding, educational standards and accountability, said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Elizabeth Burmaster. "We now have, for the first time, bipartisan legislation that really addresses some educational policy issues in virtual education," Burmaster said. -Fond du Lac Reporter, January 28, 2008
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