These weekly updates are to inform those interested in public education in Mineral Point what is happening that may impact school stakeholders. These updates are designed to be informative, factual, and non-partisan.
Additional information can be found from the Wisconsin Association of School Boards at: https://wasblegupdate.wordpress.com/
Legislative Update 12/11/15
1. Dec. 11: A bill to require public, public charter and private voucher high schools to track and report criminal activity and other incidents starting in the 2017-18 school year will likely receive a public hearing in the Assembly Education Committee on Thursday, December 17. Assembly Bill 517, authored by state Rep. John Jagler (R-Watertown), would add crimes committed on high school property, at school-sponsored events, and on buses to the information required to be included on school report cards.
2. Dec. 10: Congress this week gave final approval to legislation to replace the No Child Left Behind Act, which has been in place for nearly 14 years. The replacement, signed into law Thursday by President Obama and known as the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The law reaffirms the importance of local governance, protects federal investments for Title I for disadvantaged students, and prevents the diversion of public tax dollars for private use.
3. Dec. 4: A bill (Assembly Bill 489) to dramatically expand child abuse and neglect reporting requirements for those who work with and around school children was scheduled for a public hearing on Tuesday, December 8. At 10:00 a.m. before the Assembly Family Law Committee. Current law requires all school employees to report suspected child abuse or neglect. This bill would apply that requirement to school volunteers and contractors who work directly with children for at least 40 hours in a school year.