AB748: Bill Text

AB748,14 Section 14. 118.60 (1) (af) of the statutes is created to read:

AB748,8,20 118.60 (1) (af) "Disqualified organization" means an accrediting organization that is not an accrediting entity or a member of or otherwise sanctioned by an accrediting entity.

AB748,15 Section 15. 118.60 (1) (bn) of the statutes is created to read:

AB748,8,24 118.60 (1) (bn) 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., "new private school" means a school that qualifies as a private school under s. 115.001 (3r) and that satisfies either of the following:

AB748,9,2 a. The school has been in continuous operation in this state for less than 12 consecutive months.

AB748,9,4 b. The school provides education to fewer than 40 pupils divided into 2 or fewer grades.

AB748,9,7 2. "New private school" does not include a private school the governing body of which operates or manages a private school that is participating in the program under this section or under s. 119.23 if all of the following apply:

AB748,9,10 a. No payment has been withheld from any private school operated or managed by the governing body under sub. (10) (d) or s. 119.23 (10) (d) in the 3 immediately preceding school years.

AB748,9,14 b. No order barring any private school operated or managed by the governing body from participating in the program under this section or s. 119.23 has been issued under sub. (10) (a), (am), (ar), or (b) or under s. 119.23 (10) (a), (am), (ar), or (b) in the 3 immediately preceding school years.

AB748,16 Section 16. 118.60 (1) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB748,9,20 118.60 (1) (c) "Preaccreditation" means the review and approval of an educational plan. Review of an education plan includes consideration of whether the school submitting the plan meets the requirements under s. 118.165 (1). The fact that a private school has obtained preaccreditation does not require an accreditation organization accrediting entity to accredit the private school.

AB748,17 Section 17. 118.60 (1) (cm) of the statutes is created to read:

AB748,9,25 118.60 (1) (cm) "Preaccrediting entity" means the Institute for the Transformation of Learning at Marquette University, Wisconsin North Central Association, Wisconsin Religious and Independent Schools Accreditation, Independent Schools Association of the Central States, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod School Accreditation, National Lutheran School Accreditation, Wisconsin Association of Christian Schools, and the diocese or archdiocese within which a private school is located.

AB748,18 Section 18. 118.60 (2) (a) (intro.) of the statutes, as affected by 2013 Wisconsin Act 20, is amended to read:

AB748,10,11 118.60 (2) (a) (intro.) Any Subject to pars. (ag) and (ar), any pupil in grades kindergarten to 12 who resides within an eligible school district may attend any private school under this section and, subject to pars. (ag), (ar), (be), (bm), and (bs), any pupil in grades kindergarten to 12 who resides in a school district, other than an eligible school district or a 1st class city school district, may attend any private school under this section if all of the following apply:

AB748,19 Section 19. 118.60 (2) (a) 3. a. of the statutes, as affected by 2013 Wisconsin Act 20, is amended to read:

AB748,10,20 118.60 (2) (a) 3. a. Except as provided in subd. 3. b. and c. and sub. (2) (ag) 1., the private school notified the state superintendent of its intent to participate in the program under this section or in the program under s. 119.23, and paid the nonrefundable fee, set by the department as required under s. 119.23 (2) (a) 3., by February 1 of the previous school year. The notice shall specify the number of pupils participating in the program under this section and in the program under s. 119.23 for which the school has space.

AB748,20 Section 20. 118.60 (2) (a) 3g. of the statutes is created to read:

AB748,11,6 118.60 (2) (a) 3g. By May 1 before the first term of participation in the program under this section, the private school submits to the department, on a form provided by the department, a complete anticipated budget for the first fiscal period of participation in the program under this section. The governing body shall include on the completed form anticipated enrollments for all pupils enrolled in the private school and for pupils enrolled in the private school under this section; estimated revenues and costs; a schedule of anticipated beginning and ending net choice program assets; and a schedule of monthly cash flow requirements. The governing body shall include in the budget contingent funding sources the private school will use in the event that actual enrollments are less than expected.

AB748,21 Section 21. 118.60 (2) (a) 7. of the statutes, as affected by 2013 Wisconsin Act 20, is repealed and recreated to read:

AB748,11,17 118.60 (2) (a) 7. a. For a private school that was a first-time participant in the program under this section before the effective date of this subd. 7. a. .... [LRB inserts date], and that is not accredited by an accrediting entity, the private school obtains accreditation from an accrediting entity by December 31 of the 3rd school year following the first school year in which the private school began participating in the program under this section. If the private school is accredited under this subd. 7. a., the private school is not required to obtain preaccreditation under subd. 7. b. as a prerequisite to providing instruction under this section in additional grades or in an additional or new school.

AB748,12,5 b. Each private school that begins participation in the program under this section on or after the effective date of this subd. 7. b. .... [LRB inserts date], and that is not accredited by an accrediting entity, shall obtain preaccreditation by a preaccrediting entity by August 1 before the first school term in which the private school begins participation in the program under this section, or by May 1 if the private school begins participating in the program during summer school. In any school year, a private school to which this subd. 7. b. applies may apply for and seek to obtain preaccreditation from only one preaccrediting entity. A private school to which this subd. 7. b. applies that fails to obtain preaccreditation as required under this subd. 7. b. may not participate in the program under this section or under s. 119.23 until preaccreditation has been obtained, but the private school may apply for and seek to obtain preaccreditation from a preaccrediting entity for the following school year.

AB748,12,15 c. A private school to which subd. 7. b. applies shall apply for accreditation by an accrediting entity by December 31 of the first school year that begins after the effective date of this subd. 7. c. .... [LRB inserts date], in which the private school begins participation in the program under this section, and shall achieve accreditation by an accrediting entity by December 31 of the 3rd school year following the first school year in which the private school begins participation in the program under this section. If the private school is accredited under this subd. 7. c., the private school is not required to obtain preaccreditation under subd. 7. b. as a prerequisite to providing instruction under this section in additional grades or in an additional or new school.

AB748,22 Section 22. 118.60 (2) (ag) of the statutes is created to read:

AB748,12,19 118.60 (2) (ag) The governing body of a new private school shall comply with all of the following before the new private school may participate in the program under this section:

AB748,12,23 1. By August 1 of the school year immediately preceding the school year in which the new private school intends to participate in the program under this section, complete and submit to the department the following on forms provided by the department:

AB748,12,25 a. A notice of intent to participate and agreement to comply with procedural requirements.

AB748,13,10 b. A complete anticipated budget for the first fiscal period of participation in the program under this section showing that the private school will have a positive cash flow in each month of the fiscal period and no operating deficit. The governing body shall include on the completed form anticipated enrollments for all pupils enrolled in the new private school and for pupils enrolled in the new private school under this section; estimated revenues and costs; a schedule of anticipated beginning and ending net choice program assets; and a schedule of monthly cash flow requirements. The governing body shall include in the budget contingent funding sources the new private school will use in the event that actual enrollments are less than expected.

AB748,13,20 c. The nonrefundable fee established by the department, as required under s. 119.23 (2) (a) 3., for the school year in which the fee is paid by the new private school. If the amount of the fee paid by the new private school under this subd. 1. c. increases for the school year in which the new private school will first participate in the program under this section, the new private school shall pay the difference between the fee paid and the fee due to the department. If the amount of the fee paid by the new private school under this subd. 1. c. decreases for the school year in which the new private school will first participate in the program under this section, the department shall refund the new private school the difference between the fee paid and the fee due to the department.

AB748,13,24 2. a. By August 1 of the school year immediately preceding the school year in which the new private school intends to participate in the program under this section, submit to the department the information required under sub. (6m) (a) and (c).

AB748,14,4 b. If, at the time the new private school submits the information required under subd. 2. a., the new private school does not have a physical property within which the private school intends to operate, submit a mailing address of an administrator of the private school.

AB748,14,8 3. By August 1 of the school year immediately preceding the school year in which the new private school intends to participate in the program under this section, submit to the department a statement indicating which of the standards under sub. (7) (a) the private school intends to meet.

AB748,14,12 4. Notwithstanding the deadline to obtain preaccreditation under sub. (2) (a) 7. b., by December 15 of the school year immediately preceding the school year in which the new private school intends to participate in the program under this section, obtain preaccreditation from a preaccrediting entity.

AB748,14,17 5. By August 1 of the first school year in which the new private school intends to participate in the program under this section, demonstrate to the satisfaction of the department that the new private school has contracted with a 3rd-party payroll service that will remit federal and state payroll taxes for each employee of the new private school for the duration of the school year.

AB748,23 Section 23. 118.60 (2) (ar) of the statutes is created to read:

AB748,15,2 118.60 (2) (ar) By December 31 of the school year immediately preceding the school year in which a new private school intends to participate in the program under this section, the department shall notify the new private school in writing whether it has satisfied those requirements under par. (ag) that must be satisfied before December 31. If the department determines that the new private school has not satisfied those requirements, the new private school may not participate in the program under this section in the following school year, but may reinitiate the process under par. (ag) for the next following school year.

AB748,24 Section 24. 118.60 (7) (ad) of the statutes, as created by 2013 Wisconsin Act 20, is renumbered 118.60 (7) (ad) 3. and amended to read:

AB748,15,15 118.60 (7) (ad) 3. The governing body of a private school participating in the program under this section and accredited as required under subds. 1. and 2. and sub. (2) (a) 7. shall ensure that the private school continuously maintains accreditation from Wisconsin North Central Association, Wisconsin Religious and Independent School Accreditation, Independent Schools Association of the Central States, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod School Accreditation, National Lutheran School Accreditation, Wisconsin Association of Christian Schools, the diocese or archdiocese within which the private school is located, or by any other organization recognized by the National Council for Private Schools Accreditation an accrediting entity as long as the private school continues to participate in the program under this section.

AB748,25 Section 25. 118.60 (7) (ad) 1. and 2. of the statutes are created to read:

AB748,15,22 118.60 (7) (ad) 1. If a private school participating in the program under this section or s. 119.23 and accredited under sub. (2) (a) 7. to offer instruction in any elementary grade, but not any high school grade, seeks to offer instruction in any high school grade, the private school shall apply for and achieve accreditation to offer instruction in the additional grades in the manner established under sub. (2) (a) 7. c.

AB748,16,2 2. If a private school participating in the program under this section or s. 119.23 and accredited under sub. (2) (a) 7. to offer instruction in any high school grade, but not any elementary grade, seeks to offer instruction in any elementary grade, the private school shall apply for and achieve accreditation to offer instruction in the additional grades in the manner established under sub. (2) (a) 7. c.

AB748,26 Section 26. 118.60 (7) (ag) of the statutes is created to read:

AB748,16,9 118.60 (7) (ag) If a participating private school learns that an accrediting organization with which the private school is maintaining accreditation, as required under par. (ad), is a disqualified organization, the private school shall immediately notify the department in writing of this fact and shall obtain accreditation from an accrediting entity no later than 3 years from the date on which the private school learned that the accrediting organization is a disqualified organization.

AB748,27 Section 27. 118.60 (7) (ao) of the statutes is created to read:

AB748,16,15 118.60 (7) (ao) By November 1 of the first school term in which a private school participates in the program under this section, the private school shall submit to the department on a form provided by the department a budget reflecting the enrollments in the private school on the immediately preceding 3rd Friday in September and any related changes in revenues, costs, and cash flow requirements.

AB748,28 Section 28. 118.60 (7) (em) 1. of the statutes, as created by 2013 Wisconsin Act 20, is amended to read:

AB748,17,5 118.60 (7) (em) 1. Beginning in the 2013-14 school year, the governing body of each private school participating in the program under this section shall, subject to subd. 2., annually, by January 15, provide the department with evidence demonstrating that the private school remains accredited for the current school year as required under par. (ad). The governing body shall include as evidence of accreditation a letter prepared by Wisconsin North Central Association, Wisconsin Religious and Independent School Accreditation, Independent Schools Association of the Central States, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod School Accreditation, National Lutheran School Accreditation, Wisconsin Association of Christian Schools, the diocese or archdiocese within which the private school is located, or by any other organization recognized by the National Council for Private Schools Accreditation an accrediting entity that confirms that the private school is accredited by that entity as of the date of the letter.

AB748,29 Section 29. 118.60 (9) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB748,17,10 118.60 (9) If any accrediting agency specified under sub. (2) (a) 7. or preaccrediting entity determines during the accrediting or preaccrediting process that a private school does not meet all of the requirements under s. 118.165 (1), it shall report that failure to the department.

AB748,30 Section 30. 118.60 (10) (am) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB748,17,13 118.60 (10) (am) 2. The private school's application for accreditation has been denied by the accrediting organization entity.

AB748,31 Section 31. 118.60 (10) (ar) of the statutes, as created by 2013 Wisconsin Act 20, is amended to read:

AB748,18,3 118.60 (10) (ar) 1. If the state superintendent determines that a private school has failed to continuously maintain accreditation as required under sub. (7) (ad), that the governing body of the private school has withdrawn the private school from the accreditation process, or that the private school's accreditation has been revoked, denied, or terminated by Wisconsin North Central Association, Wisconsin Religious and Independent School Accreditation, Independent Schools Association of the Central States, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod School Accreditation, National Lutheran School Accreditation, Wisconsin Association of Christian Schools, the diocese or archdiocese within which the private school is located, or by any other organization recognized by the National Council for Private Schools Accreditation an accrediting entity, the state superintendent shall issue an order barring the private school's participation in the program under this section at the end of the current school year.

AB748,18,17 2. A private school whose participation in the program under this section is barred under subd. 1. may not participate in the program under this section or under s. 119.23 until the governing body of the private school demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department that it has obtained accreditation from Wisconsin North Central Association, Wisconsin Religious and Independent School Accreditation, Independent Schools Association of the Central States, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod School Accreditation, National Lutheran School Accreditation, Wisconsin Association of Christian Schools, the diocese or archdiocese within which the private school is located, or by any other organization recognized by the National Council for Private Schools Accreditation an accrediting entity, provided the accreditation is from an entity other than the entity with which the private school failed to continuously maintain accreditation or, if the private school's accreditation was revoked, denied, or terminated, other than the entity that revoked, denied, or terminated the private school's accreditation.

AB748,32 Section 32. 119.23 (1) (ab) of the statutes is created to read:

AB748,18,19 119.23 (1) (ab) "Accrediting entity" means all of the following:

AB748,18,25 1. Wisconsin North Central Association, Wisconsin Religious and Independent Schools Accreditation, Independent Schools Association of the Central States, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod School Accreditation, National Lutheran School Accreditation, Wisconsin Association of Christian Schools, the diocese or archdiocese within which a private school is located, and any other organization recognized by the National Council for Private School Accreditation.

AB748,19,2 2. Subject to sub. (2) (a) 7. e., for a private school to which sub. (2) (a) 7. c. applies, the Institute for the Transformation of Learning at Marquette University.

AB748,33 Section 33. 119.23 (1) (af) of the statutes is created to read:

AB748,19,6 119.23 (1) (af) "Disqualified organization" means an accrediting organization that is not an accrediting entity or a member of or otherwise sanctioned by an accrediting entity.

AB748,34 Section 34. 119.23 (1) (ai) of the statutes is created to read:

AB748,19,10 119.23 (1) (ai) 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., "new private school" means a school that qualifies as a private school under s. 115.001 (3r) and that satisfies either of the following:

AB748,19,12 a. The school has been in continuous operation in this state for less than 12 consecutive months.

AB748,19,14 b. The school provides education to fewer than 40 pupils divided into 2 or fewer grades.

AB748,19,17 2. "New private school" does not include a private school the governing body of which operates or manages a private school that is participating in the program under this section or under s. 118.60 if all of the following apply:

AB748,19,20 a. No payment has been withheld from any private school operated or managed by the governing body under sub. (10) (d) or s. 118.60 (10) (d) in the 3 immediately preceding school years.

AB748,19,24 b. No order barring any private school operated or managed by the governing body from participating in the program under this section or s. 118.60 has been issued under sub. (10) (a), (am), (ar), or (b) or under s. 118.60 (10) (a), (am), (ar), or (b) in the 3 immediately preceding school years.

AB748,35 Section 35. 119.23 (1) (am) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB748,20,5 119.23 (1) (am) "Preaccreditation" means the review and approval of an educational plan. Review of an education plan includes consideration of whether the school submitting the plan meets the requirements under s. 118.165 (1). The fact that a private school has obtained preaccreditation does not require an accreditation organization accrediting entity to accredit the private school.

AB748,36 Section 36. 119.23 (1) (ap) of the statutes is created to read:

AB748,20,13 119.23 (1) (ap) "Preaccrediting entity" means the Institute for the Transformation of Learning at Marquette University, Wisconsin North Central Association, Wisconsin Religious and Independent Schools Accreditation, Independent Schools Association of the Central States, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod School Accreditation, National Lutheran School Accreditation, Wisconsin Association of Christian Schools, and the diocese or archdiocese within which a private school is located.

AB748,37 Section 37. 119.23 (2) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB748,20,17 119.23 (2) (a) (intro.) Any Subject to pars. (ag) and (ar), any pupil in grades kindergarten to 12 who resides within the city may attend any private school if all of the following apply:

AB748,38 Section 38. 119.23 (2) (a) 3. of the statutes, as affected by 2013 Wisconsin Act 20, is amended to read:

AB748,21,4 119.23 (2) (a) 3. The Except as provided in sub. (2) (ag) 1., the private school notified the state superintendent of its intent to participate in the program under this section or in the program under s. 118.60, and paid the nonrefundable annual fee set by the department, by February 1 of the previous school year. The notice shall specify the number of pupils participating in the program under this section and in the program under s. 118.60 for which the school has space. The department shall by rule set the fee charged under this subdivision at an amount such that the total fee revenue covers the costs of employing one full-time auditor to evaluate the financial information submitted by private schools under sub. (7) (am) and (d) 2. and 3. and under s. 118.60 (7) (am) and (d) 2. and 3.

AB748,39 Section 39. 119.23 (2) (a) 3g. of the statutes is created to read:

AB748,21,15 119.23 (2) (a) 3g. By May 1 before the first term of participation in the program under this section, the private school submits to the department, on a form provided by the department, a complete anticipated budget for the first fiscal period of participation in the program under this section. The governing body shall include on the completed form anticipated enrollments for all pupils enrolled in the private school and for pupils enrolled in the private school under this section; estimated revenues and costs; a schedule of anticipated beginning and ending net choice program assets; and a schedule of monthly cash flow requirements. The governing body shall include in the budget contingent funding sources the private school will use in the event that actual enrollments are less than expected.

AB748,40 Section 40. 119.23 (2) (a) 7. a. of the statutes, as affected by 2013 Wisconsin Act 20, is amended to read:

AB748,22,6 119.23 (2) (a) 7. a. Subject to subd. 7. c. and d., for a private school participating in the program under this section on July 1, 2009, the private school achieves accreditation by Wisconsin North Central Association, Wisconsin Religious and Independent Schools Accreditation, Independent Schools Association of the Central States, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod School Accreditation, National Lutheran School Accreditation, Wisconsin Association of Christian Schools, the diocese or archdiocese within which the private school is located, or any other organization recognized by the National Council for Private School Accreditation, an accrediting entity by December 31 of the 3rd school year following the first school year that begins after June 30, 2006, in which it participates in the program under this section. If the private school is accredited as provided under this subd. 7. a., the private school is not required to obtain preaccreditation under subd. 7. b. bg. as a prerequisite to providing instruction under this section in additional grades or in an additional or new school.

AB748,41 Section 41. 119.23 (2) (a) 7. b. of the statutes, as affected by 2013 Wisconsin Act 20, is repealed and recreated to read:

AB748,22,17 119.23 (2) (a) 7. b. Subject to subd. 7. c. and d., for a private school that was a first-time participant in the program under this section before the effective date of this subd. 7. b. .... [LRB inserts date], and that is not accredited by an accrediting entity, the private school obtains accreditation from an accrediting entity by December 31 of the 3rd school year following the first school year in which the private school began participating in the program under this section. If the private school is accredited under this subd. 7. b., the private school is not required to obtain preaccreditation under subd. 7. bg. as a prerequisite to providing instruction under this section in additional grades or in an additional or new school.

AB748,42 Section 42. 119.23 (2) (a) 7. bg. and br. of the statutes are created to read:

AB748,23,6 119.23 (2) (a) 7. bg. Each private school that begins participation in the program under this section on or after the effective date of this subd. 7. bg. .... [LRB inserts date], and that is not accredited by an accrediting entity, shall obtain preaccreditation by a preaccrediting entity by August 1 before the first school term in which the private school begins participation in the program under this section, or by May 1 if the private school begins participating in the program during summer school. In any school year, a private school to which this subd. 7. bg. applies may apply for and seek to obtain preaccreditation from only one preaccrediting entity. A private school to which this subd. 7. bg. applies that fails to obtain preaccreditation as required under this subd. 7. bg. may not participate in the program under this section or under s. 118.60 until preaccreditation has been obtained, but the private school may apply for and seek to obtain preaccreditation from a preaccrediting entity for the following school year.

AB748,23,15 br. A private school to which subd. 7. bg. applies shall apply for accreditation by an accrediting entity by December 31 of the first school year that begins after the effective date of this subd. 7. br. .... [LRB inserts date], in which the private school begins participation in the program under this section, and shall achieve accreditation by an accrediting entity by December 31 of the 3rd school year following the school year in which the private school begins participation in the program under this section. If the private school is accredited under this subd. 7. br., the private school is not required to obtain preaccreditation as a prerequisite to providing instruction under this section in additional grades or in an additional or new school.

AB748,43 Section 43. 119.23 (2) (a) 7. c. of the statutes, as affected by 2013 Wisconsin Act 20, is amended to read:

AB748,24,3 119.23 (2) (a) 7. c. On or after July 1, 2009, a private school participating or seeking to participate in the program under this section or in the program under s. 118.60 may not apply for accreditation by the Institute for the Transformation of Learning at Marquette University, except that a private school that has applied for accreditation to the Institute for the Transformation of Learning at Marquette University before July 1, 2009, and that is participating in the program under this section on the effective date of this subd. 7. c. .... [LRB inserts date], may, subject to subd. 7. e., complete the accreditation process with the Institute for the Transformation of Learning at Marquette University, and may , subject to subd. 7. e., seek renewal of accreditation from the Institute for the Transformation of Learning at Marquette University.

AB748,44 Section 44. 119.23 (2) (a) 7. d. of the statutes, as affected by 2013 Wisconsin Act 20, is amended to read:

AB748,24,18 119.23 (2) (a) 7. d. For a private school that was approved for scholarship funding for the 2005-06 school year by Partners Advancing Values in Education and is participating in the program under this section on November 19, 2011, the private school achieves accreditation by Wisconsin North Central Association, Wisconsin Religious and Independent Schools Accreditation, Independent Schools Association of the Central States, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod School Accreditation, National Lutheran School Accreditation, Wisconsin Association of Christian Schools, the diocese or archdiocese within which the private school is located, or any other organization recognized by the National Council for Private School Accreditation, an accrediting entity by December 31, 2015. If the private school is accredited as provided under this subd. 7. d., the private school is not required to obtain preaccreditation under subd. 7. b. bg. as a prerequisite to providing instruction under this section in additional grades or in an additional or new school.

AB748,45 Section 45. 119.23 (2) (a) 7. e. of the statutes is created to read: