Effective date note
NOTE: Par. (b) is shown as amended eff. 7-29-95 by
1995 Wis. Act 27. The treatment by Act 27 was held unconstitutional and declared void by the Supreme Court in Thompson v. Craney, case no.
95-2168-OA. Prior to Act 27 it read:
Effective date text
(b) If the pupil specifies in the notice under par. (a) that he or she intends to take a course at an institution of higher education for high school credit, the school board shall determine whether the course is comparable to a course offered in the school district, and whether the course satisfies any of the high school graduation requirements under s. 118.33 and the number of high school credits to award the pupil for the course, if any. The state superintendent shall develop guidelines to assist school districts in making the determinations. The school board shall notify the pupil of its determinations, in writing, before the end of the semester in which it received the notice under par. (a). If the pupil disagrees with the school board's decision regarding comparability of courses, satisfaction of high school graduation requirements or the number of high school credits to be awarded, the pupil may appeal the school board's decision to the state superintendent within 30 days after the decision. The state superintendent's decision shall be final and is not subject to review under subch. III of ch. 227.
118.37(3m)
(3m) School district duty to offer comparable course. 118.37(3m)(a)(a) Except as provided under
par. (b), if in the current school year the number of pupils attending an institution of higher education under this section and enrolled in a course that is not comparable to a course offered in the school district is equal to or greater than the number of pupils normally required for the school board to offer a course, as determined by the school board, and the school board expects the situation to continue in the next school year, the school board shall offer the course in the next school year.
118.37(3m)(b)
(b) The department may waive the requirement under
par. (a) if the department determines that the requirement would impose too great a cost because of the lack of equipment or space.
Effective date note
NOTE: Par. (b) is shown as amended eff. 1-1-96 by
1995 Wis. Act 27. The treatment by Act 27 was held unconstitutional and declared void by the Supreme Court in Thompson v. Craney, case no.
95-2168-OA. Prior to Act 27 it read:
Effective date text
(b) The state superintendent may waive the requirement under par. (a) if he or she determines that the requirement would impose too great a cost because of the lack of equipment or space.
118.37(4)
(4) Admission to institution of higher education; notification. 118.37(4)(a)(a) An institution of higher education may admit a pupil under this section only if it has space available. A pupil may attend a technical college under this section only if he or she is a resident of this state.
118.37(4)(am)
(am) A pupil may attend an institution of higher education under this section only if the institution of higher education complies with
s. 118.13 (1).
118.37(4)(b)
(b) If an institution of higher education admits a pupil, it shall notify the school board of the school district in which the pupil is enrolled, in writing, within 30 days after the beginning of classes at the institution of higher education. The notification shall include the course or courses in which the pupil is enrolled.
118.37(4)(c)
(c) If a pupil is not admitted to attend the course that he or she specified in the notice under
sub. (3) (a) but is admitted to attend a different course, the pupil shall immediately notify the school board of the school district in which he or she is enrolled and the school board shall inform the pupil of its determinations under
sub. (3) (b) regarding the course to which the pupil was admitted as soon as practicable.
118.37(4)(d)
(d) A pupil taking one or more courses for high school credit at an institution of higher education under this section may not take more than the equivalent of 15 credit hours in any academic semester.
118.37(5)
(5) Payment. Within 30 days after the end of the semester, the school board of the school district in which a pupil attending an institution of higher education under this section is enrolled shall pay the institution of higher education, on behalf of the pupil, the following amount for any course that is taken for high school credit and that is not comparable to a course offered in the school district:
118.37(5)(a)
(a) If the pupil is attending a center or institution within the university of Wisconsin system, the actual cost of tuition, fees, books and other necessary materials directly related to the course.
118.37(5)(b)
(b) If the student is attending a technical college, the actual cost of tuition, fees, books and other necessary materials directly related to the course.
118.37(5)(c)
(c) If the pupil is attending a private institution of higher education, the lesser of the following:
118.37(5)(c)1.
1. The actual cost of tuition, fees, books and other necessary materials directly related to the course.
118.37(5)(c)2.
2. An amount determined by dividing the state total net cost of the general fund in the previous school year by the state total membership in the previous school year, dividing that quotient by the statewide average number of high school credits taken by full-time pupils in the previous school year, as determined by the department, and multiplying that quotient by the number of high school credits taken by the pupil at the private institution of higher education, as determined under
sub. (3) (b). In this subdivision, "net cost" has the meaning given in
s. 121.004 (6), and "membership" has the meaning given in
s. 121.004 (5).
Effective date note
NOTE: Subd. 2. is shown as amended eff. 1-1-96 by
1995 Wis. Act 27. The treatment by Act 27 was held unconstitutional and declared void by the Supreme Court in Thompson v. Craney, case no.
95-2168-OA. Prior to Act 27 it read:
Effective date text
2. An amount determined by dividing the state total net cost of the general fund in the previous school year by the state total membership in the previous school year, dividing that quotient by the statewide average number of high school credits taken by full-time pupils in the previous school year, as determined by the state superintendent, and multiplying that quotient by the number of high school credits taken by the pupil at the private institution of higher education, as determined under sub. (3) (b). In this subdivision, "net cost" has the meaning given in s. 121.004 (6), and "membership" has the meaning given in s. 121.004 (5).
118.37(6)
(6) Responsibility of pupil for tuition and fees. 118.37(6)(a)(a) A pupil taking a course at an institution of higher education for high school credit under this section is not responsible for any portion of the tuition and fees for the course if the school board, or the department on appeal under
sub. (3) (b), has determined that the course is not comparable to a course offered in the school district.
Effective date note
NOTE: Par. (a) is shown as amended eff. 1-1-96 by
1995 Wis. Act 27. The treatment by Act 27 was held unconstitutional and declared void by the Supreme Court in Thompson v. Craney, case no.
95-2168-OA. Prior to Act 27 it read:
Effective date text
(a) A pupil taking a course at an institution of higher education for high school credit under this section is not responsible for any portion of the tuition and fees for the course if the school board, or the state superintendent on appeal under sub. (3) (b), has determined that the course is not comparable to a course offered in the school district.
118.37(6)(b)
(b) A pupil taking a course at an institution of higher education for high school credit under this section is responsible for the tuition and fees for the course if the school board has determined that the course is comparable to a course offered in the school district, unless the department reverses the school board's decision on appeal under
sub. (3) (b).
Effective date note
NOTE: Par. (b) is shown as amended eff. 1-1-96 by
1995 Wis. Act 27. The treatment by Act 27 was held unconstitutional and declared void by the Supreme Court in Thompson v. Craney, case no.
95-2168-OA. Prior to Act 27 it read:
Effective date text
(b) A pupil taking a course at an institution of higher education for high school credit under this section is responsible for the tuition and fees for the course if the school board has determined that the course is comparable to a course offered in the school district, unless the state superintendent reverses the school board's decision on appeal under sub. (3) (b).
118.37(6)(c)
(c) A pupil taking a course at an institution of higher education for postsecondary credit under this section is responsible for the tuition and fees for the course.
118.37(7g)
(7g) Transportation. The parent or guardian of a pupil who is attending an institution of higher education under this section and is taking a course for high school credit that is not comparable to a course offered in the school district may apply to the department for reimbursement of the cost of transporting the pupil between the high school in which the pupil is enrolled and the institution of higher education that the pupil is attending if the pupil and the pupil's parent or guardian are unable to pay the cost of such transportation. The department shall determine the reimbursement amount and shall pay the amount from the appropriation under
s. 20.255 (2) (cw). The department shall give preference under this subsection to those pupils who are eligible for a free or reduced-price lunch under
42 USC 1758 (b).
Effective date note
NOTE: Sub. (7g) is shown as amended eff. 1-1-96 by
1995 Wis. Act 27. The treatment by Act 27 was held unconstitutional and declared void by the Supreme Court in Thompson v. Craney, case no.
95-2168-OA. Prior to Act 27 it read:
Effective date text
(7g) Transportation. The parent or guardian of a pupil who is attending an institution of higher education under this section and is taking a course for high school credit that is not comparable to a course offered in the school district may apply to the state superintendent for reimbursement of the cost of transporting the pupil between the high school in which the pupil is enrolled and the institution of higher education that the pupil is attending if the pupil and the pupil's parent or guardian are unable to pay the cost of such transportation. The state superintendent shall determine the reimbursement amount and shall pay the amount from the appropriation under s. 20.255 (2) (cw). The state superintendent shall give preference under this subsection to those pupils who are eligible for a free or reduced-price lunch under 42 USC 1758 (b).
118.37(8)
(8) Program information. Annually by October 1, each school board shall provide information about the program under this section to all pupils enrolled in the school district in the 9th, 10th and 11th grades.
118.37(9)
(9) Rules. The department shall promulgate rules to implement and administer this section, including rules establishing criteria for determining reimbursement amounts under
sub. (7g).
Effective date note
NOTE: Sub. (9) is shown as amended eff. 1-1-96 by
1995 Wis. Act 27. The treatment by Act 27 was held unconstitutional and declared void by the Supreme Court in Thompson v. Craney, case no.
95-2168-OA. Prior to Act 27 it read:
Effective date text
(9) Rules. The state superintendent shall promulgate rules to implement and administer this section, including rules establishing criteria for determining reimbursement amounts under sub. (7g).
118.38
118.38
Waivers of laws and rules. 118.38(1)(a)(a) A school board may request the department to waive any school board or school district requirement in
chs. 115 to
121 or in the administrative rules promulgated by the department under the authority of those chapters, except for statutes or rules related to any of the following:
118.38(1)(a)7.
7. Licensure or certification under
s. 115.28 (7) or
(7m) other than the licensure of the school district administrator or business manager.
118.38(1)(b)
(b) Before requesting a waiver, the school board shall hold a public hearing in the school district on the request.
118.38(1m)
(1m) The school board shall specify in its request for a waiver its reason for requesting the waiver.
118.38(2)
(2) In determining whether to grant the waiver, the department shall consider all of the following factors and may consider additional factors:
118.38(2)(a)
(a) Whether the requirement impedes progress toward achieving a local improvement plan developed under sec. 309 (a) (3) of
P.L. 103-227.
118.38(2)(b)
(b) If the school board has adopted educational goals for the school district, whether the requirement impedes progress toward achieving the goals.
118.38(2m)
(2m) Beginning on January 1, 1996, a school board shall submit a request for a waiver to the secretary. If the secretary denies a waiver, the school board may, within 30 days after the denial, appeal the denial to the commission. The commission shall issue a decision on the appeal within 30 days after receiving the appeal.
118.38(3)
(3) A waiver is effective for 4 years. The secretary shall renew the waiver for additional 4-year periods if the school board has evaluated the educational and financial effects of the waiver over the previous 4-year period, except that the secretary is not required to renew a waiver if the secretary determines that the school district is not making adequate progress toward improving pupil academic performance.
118.38(4)
(4) By July 1, 2000, the department shall submit a report to the governor, and to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature under
s. 13.172 (3). The report shall specify the number of waivers requested under this section, a description of each waiver request, the reason given for each waiver request and the educational and financial effects on the school district of each waiver that was granted.
118.38 History
History: 1995 a. 27.
118.40
118.40
Charter schools. 118.40(1)(1)
Notice to department. Whenever a school board intends to establish a charter school, it shall notify the department of its intention. The notice shall include a description of the proposed school.
Effective date note
NOTE: Sub. (1) is shown as amended eff. 1-1-96 by
1995 Wis. Act 27, s.
9145 (1). The treatment by Act 27 was held unconstitutional and declared void by the Supreme Court in Thompson v. Craney, case no.
95-2168-OA. Prior to Act 27, s. 9145 (1), it read:
Effective date text
(1) Notice to state superintendent. Whenever a school board intends to establish a charter school, it shall notify the state superintendent of its intention. The notice shall include a description of the proposed school.
118.40(1m)(a)(a) A written petition requesting the school board to establish a charter school under this section may be filed with the school district clerk. The petition shall be signed by at least 10% of the teachers employed by the school district or by at least 50% of the teachers employed at one school of the school district.
118.40(1m)(b)
(b) The petition shall include all of the following:
118.40(1m)(b)1.
1. The name of the person who is seeking to establish the charter school.
118.40(1m)(b)2.
2. The name of the person who will be in charge of the charter school and the manner in which administrative services will be provided.
118.40(1m)(b)4.
4. The methods the school will use to enable pupils to attain the educational goals under
s. 118.01.
118.40(1m)(b)5.
5. The method by which pupil progress in attaining the educational goals under
s. 118.01 will be measured.
118.40(1m)(b)6.
6. The governance structure of the school, including the method to be followed by the school to ensure parental involvement.
118.40(1m)(b)8.
8. The procedures that the school will follow to ensure the health and safety of the pupils.
118.40(1m)(b)9.
9. The means by which the school will achieve a racial and ethnic balance among its pupils that is reflective of the school district population.
118.40(1m)(b)11.
11. The manner in which annual audits of the financial and programmatic operations of the school will be performed.
118.40(1m)(b)13.
13. The public school alternatives for pupils who reside in the school district and do not wish to attend or are not admitted to the charter school.
118.40(1m)(b)14.
14. A description of the school facilities and the types and limits of the liability insurance that the school will carry.
118.40(1m)(b)15.
15. The effect of the establishment of the charter school on the liability of the school district.
118.40(2)
(2) Public hearing; granting of petition. 118.40(2)(a)(a) Within 30 days after receiving a petition under
sub. (1m) the school board shall hold a public hearing on the petition. At the hearing, the school board shall consider the level of employe and parental support for the establishment of the charter school described in the petition. After the hearing, the school board may grant the petition.
118.40(2)(b)
(b) A school board may grant a petition that would result in the conversion of all of the public schools in the school district to charter schools if all of the following apply:
118.40(2)(b)1.
1. At least 50% of the teachers employed by the school district sign the petition.
118.40(2)(b)2.
2. The school board provides alternative public school attendance arrangements for pupils who do not wish to attend or are not admitted to a charter school.
118.40(2)(c)
(c) The school board of the school district operating under
ch. 119 shall either grant or deny the petition within 30 days after the public hearing. If the school board of the school district operating under
ch. 119 denies a petition, the person seeking to establish the charter school may, within 30 days after the denial, appeal the denial to the department. The department shall issue a decision within 30 days after receiving the appeal. The department's decision is final and not subject to judicial review under
ch. 227.
118.40(2m)(a)(a) A school board may on its own initiative contract with an individual or group to operate a school as a charter school. The contract shall include all of the provisions specified under
sub. (1m) (b) and may include other provisions agreed to by the parties.
118.40(2m)(b)
(b) A school board may not enter into a contract under
par. (a) that would result in the conversion of all of the public schools in the school district to charter schools unless the school board complies with
sub. (2) (b) 2.
118.40(3)(a)(a) If the school board grants the petition under
sub. (2) (a), the school board shall contract with the person named in the petition under
sub. (1m) (b) 1. to operate the school as a charter school under this section. The contract shall include all of the provisions specified in the petition and may include other provisions agreed to by the parties.
