Posted on 07/08/2013 1:43:27 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
On the heels of Gov. Scott Walker signing into law the 2013-'15 state budget — and the provision for a statewide private-school voucher program — private schools are mobilizing to participate and meet a rapidly approaching set of deadlines.
Details about how the program will work are still being finalized at the state level, but many private schools have launched marketing campaigns and scheduled information sessions to attract local families, readying them for a quick sign-up window in August.
Meanwhile, some private schools are experiencing a new world of prickly community relations, a side effect of a controversial program that will allow Wisconsin taxpayer money to flow to private, predominantly religious schools outside the Milwaukee and Racine areas for the first time this fall.
Matt Kussow, executive director of the Wisconsin Council for Religious and Independent Schools, estimates that between 130 and 150 private schools are "seriously looking" at trying to join the statewide program.
"Some schools have received calls discouraging them from participating and then calls encouraging them to participate," Kussow said.
The council has been holding a series of meetings around the state for private-school leaders and board members to ask questions, air concerns and figure out whether joining the program would be worth the cost and extra paperwork. The last one is scheduled to take place in Hartford this week, but to avoid protesters, Kussow didn't want the exact location or date printed.
The new statewide private-school voucher program echoes the longstanding Milwaukee Parental Choice Program and Racine Parental Choice Program created in the 2011-'13 budget by allowing taxpayer-funded subsidies to help qualifying students attend private and mostly religious schools.
(Excerpt) Read more at jsonline.com ...
The council has been holding a series of meetings around the state for private-school leaders and board members to ask questions, air concerns and figure out whether joining the program would be worth the cost and extra paperwork. The last one is scheduled to take place in Hartford this week, but to avoid protesters, Kussow didn't want the exact location or date printed.
FReep Mail me if you want on, or off, this Wisconsin interest ping lis.
Now the private schools are gonna get screwed.
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