Wisconsin Virtual Schooling News
Dec 23rd, 2007 by Annette
Group: Ruling could shut down virtual schools across Wis.
BY RYAN J. FOLEY
Dec 5, 2007 4:42 PM
snip:
MADISON, Wis. (Map, News) - Virtual schools that enroll thousands of Wisconsin students could be shut down after a court ordered the state to stop funding its largest one, an advocacy group warned Wednesday.
The ruling could result in school districts having to close their online charter schools in coming months and years, said Rose Fernandez, president of the Wisconsin Coalition of Virtual School Families.
The warning came after the District 2 Court of Appeals ruled the Wisconsin Virtual Academy was violating state law by allowing parents to assume the duties of state-licensed teachers.
The court said the school also has been violating a law requiring charter schools to be located in the district that operates them. It ordered the Department of Public Instruction to stop shifting funding to the school from other districts where students live.
The school will appeal to the Wisconsin Supreme Court and ask for a stay so that it can remain open until the case is settled, principal Kurt Bergland said.
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COURT OF APPEALS DECISION
http://www.wicourts.gov/ca/opinion/DisplayDocument.html?content=html&seqNo=31069
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Mary Bell, president of the Wisconsin Education Association Council, explains in this editorial why the WEAC opposes the Wisconsin Virtual Academy.
Filing suit the right thing to do for students
By MARY BELL
Posted: Dec. 22, 2007
