AB68: Bill Text

AB68,2097 Section 2097. 118.60 (2) (bh) of the statutes is created to read:

AB68,1163,14 118.60 (2) (bh) 1. In this paragraph, “program cap” means any of the following:

AB68,1163,17 a. For an eligible school district, the total number of pupils residing in the eligible school district who attended a private school under this section in the 2021-22 school year.

AB68,1163,20 b. For all school districts, other than an eligible school district or a 1st class city school district, the total number of pupils residing in those school districts who attended a private school under this section in the 2021-22 school year.

AB68,1163,23 2. a. Beginning with the 2022-23 school year, the total number of pupils residing in an eligible school district who may attend a private school under this section during a school year may not exceed the program cap under subd. 1. a.

AB68,1164,2 b. Beginning with the 2022-23 school year, the total number of pupils residing in school districts, other than an eligible school district or a 1st class city school district, who may attend a private school under this section during a school year may not exceed the program cap under subd. 1. b.

AB68,2098 Section 2098. 118.60 (2) (c) 3. of the statutes is created to read:

AB68,1164,7 118.60 (2) (c) 3. Notwithstanding par. (a) 6m., a teacher employed by a private school participating in the program under this section who teaches only courses in rabbinical studies is not required to hold a license or permit to teach issued by the department.

AB68,2099 Section 2099. 118.60 (3) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is renumbered 118.60 (3) (a) and amended to read:

AB68,1164,24 118.60 (3) (a) The pupil or the pupil's parent or guardian shall submit an application, on a form provided by the state superintendent, to the participating private school that the pupil wishes to attend. If more than one pupil from the same family applies to attend the same private school, the pupils may use a single application. No later than 60 days after the end of the application period during which an application is received and subject to par. (ar), the private school shall notify each applicant, in writing, whether his or her application has been accepted. If the private school rejects an application, the who is not eligible under sub. (2) to attend the private school under this section that the application is rejected. The notice shall be in writing and shall include the reason. Subject to par. (ar), a private school may reject an applicant only if it has reached its maximum general capacity or seating capacity. Except as provided in par. (ar), the state superintendent shall ensure that the private school determines which pupils to accept on a random basis, except that the private school may give preference to the following in accepting applications, in the order of preference listed:

AB68,2100 Section 2100. 118.60 (3) (a) 1m. to 5. of the statutes are renumbered 118.60 (3) (am) 3. am. to e., and 118.60 (3) (am) 3. bm. and d., as renumbered, are amended to read:

AB68,1165,4 118.60 (3) (am) 3. bm. Siblings of pupils described in subd. 1m. 3. am.

AB68,1165,5 d. Siblings of pupils described under subd. 3. c.

AB68,2101 Section 2101 . 118.60 (3) (am) of the statutes is created to read:

AB68,1165,8 118.60 (3) (am) All of the following apply to applications to attend a private school under this section submitted by pupils who reside in an eligible school district:

AB68,1165,15 1. A private school that has submitted a notice of intent to participate under sub. (2) (a) 3. a. may accept applications for a school year during application periods determined by the department from pupils who reside in an eligible school district. For each school year, the department shall establish one or more application periods under this subdivision, the first of which begins no earlier than the first weekday in February of the school year before the applicable school year, and the last of which ends no later than September 14 of the applicable school year.

AB68,1165,22 2. Each private school that received applications under subd. 1. shall report to the department the number of pupils who applied under subd. 1. to attend the private school under this section and the names of those applicants who have siblings who also applied under subd. 1. to attend the private school under this section. The private school shall submit the report no later than 10 days after each application period described under subd. 1. during which the private school received applications.

AB68,1166,7 3. After the end of each application period described under subd. 1., upon receipt of the information under subd. 2., the department shall determine the sum of all applicants for pupils residing in an eligible school district. In determining the sum, the department shall count a pupil who has applied to attend more than one private school under the program only once. If, after the end of an application period described under subd. 1., the sum of all applicants for pupils residing in an eligible school district exceeds the program cap under sub. (2) (bh) 2. a., the department shall determine which applications submitted during the application period to accept on a random basis, except that the department shall give preference in accepting applications of pupils to the following applications, in the order of preference listed:

AB68,1166,10 4. If the sum under subd. 3. exceeds the program cap under sub. (2) (bh) 2. a., the department shall establish a waiting list in accordance with the preferences required under subd. 3.

AB68,1166,18 5. A private school that has accepted a pupil who resides in an eligible school district under this paragraph shall notify the department whenever the private school determines that a pupil will not attend the private school under this paragraph. If, upon receiving notice under this subdivision, the department determines that the number of pupils attending private schools under this section falls below the program cap under sub. (2) (bh) 2. a., the department shall fill any available slot with a pupil selected from the waiting list established under subd. 4., if such a waiting list exists.

AB68,2102 Section 2102 . 118.60 (3) (ar) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68,1166,23 118.60 (3) (ar) (intro.) All of the following apply to applications to attend a private school under this section only if the limitation under sub. (2) (be) applies to the school year for which the application is made submitted by pupils who reside in a school district, other than an eligible school district or a 1st class city school district:

AB68,2103 Section 2103 . 118.60 (3) (ar) 3. of the statutes is renumbered 118.60 (3) (ar) 3. (intro.) and amended to read:

AB68,1167,13 118.60 (3) (ar) 3. (intro.) Annually After the end of the application period described under subd. 1., upon receipt of the information under subd. 2., the department shall, for each school district, determine the sum of all applicants for pupils residing in that school district under this paragraph and the sum of all applicants for pupils residing in all school districts, other than an eligible school district or a 1st class city school district. In determining the sum those sums, the department shall count a pupil who has applied to attend more than one private school under the program only once. After determining the sum of all applicants for pupils residing in a school district, those sums, if any of the following applies, the department shall determine which applications to accept on a random basis, except that the department shall give preference in accepting applications of pupils to the applications of pupils described in par. (a) 1m. to 5. (am) 3. am. to e., in the order of preference listed in that paragraph. under par. (am) 3.:

AB68,2104 Section 2104. 118.60 (3) (ar) 3. a. and b. of the statutes are created to read:

AB68,1167,17 118.60 (3) (ar) 3. a. The sum of all applicants for pupils residing in a school district, other than an eligible school district or a 1st class city school district, exceeds the school district's pupil participation limit under sub. (2) (be).

AB68,1167,20 b. The sum of all applicants for pupils residing in all school districts, other than an eligible school district or a 1st class city school district, exceeds the program cap under sub. (2) (bh) 2. b.

AB68,2105 Section 2105. 118.60 (3) (ar) 4. of the statutes is renumbered 118.60 (3) (ar) 4. (intro.) and amended to read:

AB68,1168,2 118.60 (3) (ar) 4. (intro.) For each school district in which private schools received applications under subd. 1. that exceeded the school district's pupil participation limit under sub. (2) (be), the The department shall establish a waiting list in accordance with the preferences required under subd. 3. for each of the following:

AB68,2106 Section 2106. 118.60 (3) (ar) 4. a. and b. of the statutes are created to read:

AB68,1168,6 118.60 (3) (ar) 4. a. A school district, other than an eligible school district or a 1st class city school district, for which the sum described under subd. 3. a. exceeds the school district's pupil participation limit under sub. (2) (be).

AB68,1168,9 b. All school districts, other than an eligible school district or a 1st class city school district, if the sum described under subd. 3. b. exceeds the program cap under sub. (2) (bh) 2. b.

AB68,2107 Section 2107. 118.60 (3) (ar) 5. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68,1168,20 118.60 (3) (ar) 5. A private school that has accepted a pupil who resides in a school district, other than an eligible school district or a 1st class city school district, under this paragraph shall notify the department whenever the private school determines that a pupil will not attend the private school under this paragraph. If, upon receiving notice under this subdivision, the department determines that the number of pupils attending private schools under this section falls below a school district's pupil participation limit under sub. (2) (be), or below the program cap under sub. (2) (bh) 2. b., the department shall fill any available slot in that school district or program with a pupil selected from the school district's applicable waiting list established under subd. 4., if such a waiting list exists.

AB68,2108 Section 2108. 118.60 (3) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68,1169,8 118.60 (3) (b) If a participating private school the department rejects an applicant who resides within in an eligible school district because the private school to which the applicant applied has too few available spaces, the applicant may transfer his or her application to a participating private school that has space available. An applicant who is rejected under this paragraph or an applicant who is on the waiting list under par. (am) 4. may, subject to sub. (2) (bh) 2. a., be admitted to a private school participating in the program under this section for the following school year, provided that the applicant continues to reside within in an eligible school district. The department may not require, in that following school year, the private school to submit financial information regarding the applicant or to verify the eligibility of the applicant to participate in the program under this section on the basis of family income.

AB68,2109 Section 2109. 118.60 (3) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68,1169,22 118.60 (3) (c) If a participating private school the department rejects an applicant who resides in a school district, other than an eligible school district or a 1st class city school district, because the private school to which the applicant applied has too few available spaces, the applicant may transfer his or her application to a participating private school that has space available. An applicant who is rejected under this paragraph or an applicant who is on the a waiting list under par. (ar) 4. a. or b. may, subject to sub. (2) (be) and (bh) 2. b., be admitted to a private school participating in the program under this section for the following school year, provided that the applicant continues to reside in a school district , other than an eligible school district or a 1st class city school district. The department may not require, in that following school year, the private school to submit financial information regarding the applicant or to verify the eligibility of the applicant to participate in the program under this section on the basis of family income.

AB68,2110 Section 2110. 118.60 (4) (bg) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68,1170,10 118.60 (4) (bg) 3. In the 2015-16 to 2020-21 school year and in each school year thereafter years, upon receipt from the pupil's parent or guardian of proof of the pupil's enrollment in the private school during a school term, except as provided in subd. 5., the state superintendent shall pay to the private school in which the pupil is enrolled on behalf of the pupil's parent or guardian, from the appropriation under s. 20.255 (2) (fr), an amount equal to the sum of the maximum amount per pupil the state superintendent paid a private school under this section in the previous school year for the grade in which the pupil is enrolled; the amount of the per pupil revenue adjustment under s. 121.91 (2m) for the current school year, if positive; and the change in the amount of statewide categorical aid per pupil between the previous school year and the current school year, as determined under s. 118.40 (2r) (e) 2p., if positive.

AB68,2111 Section 2111 . 118.60 (4) (bg) 6. of the statutes is created to read:

AB68,1170,22 118.60 (4) (bg) 6. Beginning in the 2021-22 school year and in each school year thereafter, upon receipt from the pupil's parent or guardian of proof of the pupil's enrollment in the private school during a school term, except as provided in subd. 7., the state superintendent shall pay to the private school in which the pupil is enrolled on behalf of the pupil's parent or guardian, from the appropriation under s. 20.255 (2) (fr), an amount equal to the sum of the maximum amount per pupil the state superintendent paid a private school under this section in the previous school year for the grade in which the pupil is enrolled; the amount of the per pupil revenue adjustment under s. 121.91 (2m) for the current school year, if positive; and the change in the per pupil amount under s. 115.437 (2) (a) between the previous school year and the current school year, if positive.

AB68,2112 Section 2112 . 118.60 (4) (bg) 7. of the statutes is created to read:

AB68,1171,3 118.60 (4) (bg) 7. If the pupil described in subd. 6. is enrolled in a private school that enrolls pupils under the program in any grade between kindergarten to 8 and also in any grade between 9 to 12, the state superintendent shall substitute for the amount described in subd. 6. the amount determined under subd. 4. a. to d., with the following modifications:

AB68,1171,10 a. Multiply the number of pupils participating in the program who are enrolled in the private school in any grade between kindergarten to 8 by the sum of the maximum amount per pupil the state superintendent paid a private school under this section in the previous school year for the grade in which the pupil is enrolled; the amount of the per pupil revenue adjustment under s. 121.91 (2m) for the current school year, if positive; and the change in the per pupil amount under s. 115.437 (2) (a) between the previous school year and the current school year, if positive.

AB68,1171,17 b. Multiply the number of pupils participating in the program who are enrolled in the private school in any grade between 9 to 12 by the sum of the maximum amount per pupil the state superintendent paid a private school under this section in the previous school year for the grade in which the pupil is enrolled; the amount of the per pupil revenue adjustment under s. 121.91 (2m) for the current school year, if positive; and the change in the per pupil amount under s. 115.437 (2) (a) between the previous school year and the current school year, if positive.

AB68,2113 Section 2113. 118.60 (4v) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68,1171,24 118.60 (4v) (b) If the department considers a pupil as a resident of an eligible school district under par. (a) for a school year, the department shall ensure that the pupil is not counted for that school year for purposes of determining whether a school district has exceeded its pupil participation limit under sub. (2) (be) and that the pupil is not counted for that school year for purposes of determining whether a program cap under sub. (2) (bh) 2. a. or b. has been exceeded.

AB68,2114 Section 2114. 118.60 (7) (b) 2g. of the statutes is created to read:

AB68,1172,5 118.60 (7) (b) 2g. Beginning in the 2022-23 school year, as part of the private school's curriculum, include instruction in the culture, tribal sovereignty, and contemporary and historical significant events of the federally recognized American Indian tribes and bands located in this state at least twice in the elementary grades and at least once in the high school grades.

AB68,2115 Section 2115. 118.60 (11) (e) of the statutes is created to read:

AB68,1172,13 118.60 (11) (e) Notwithstanding sub. (2) (be) and (bh) and s. 119.23 (2) (b), promulgate rules under par. (a) that are consistent with sub. (4v) and s. 119.23 (4v) to ensure that, if a pupil who accepted a space at a private school participating in a program under this section or under s. 119.23 changes the pupil's residence, the pupil will not be counted for purposes of determining whether the participation limit under sub. (2) (be) or the program cap under sub. (2) (bh) or s. 119.23 (2) (b) that applies to the pupil's new residence has been exceeded.

AB68,2116 Section 2116. Subchapter I (title) of chapter 119 [precedes 119.01] of the statutes is repealed.

AB68,2117 Section 2117. 119.02 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68,1172,19 119.02 (1) “Board" means the board of school directors in charge of the public schools of a city of the 1st class other than those public schools transferred to the opportunity schools and partnership programs under s. 119.33 or subch. II.

AB68,2118 Section 2118. 119.02 (2g) of the statutes is repealed.

AB68,2119 Section 2119. 119.02 (4) of the statutes is repealed.

AB68,2120 Section 2120. 119.04 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68,1173,10 119.04 (1) Subchapters IV, V, and VII of ch. 115, ch. 121, and ss. 66.0235 (3) (c), 66.0603 (1m) to (3), 115.01 (1) and (2), 115.28, 115.31, 115.33, 115.34, 115.343, 115.345, 115.363, 115.364, 115.365 (3), 115.366, 115.367, 115.38 (2), 115.415, 115.445, 115.449, 115.453, 115.457, 118.001 to 118.04, 118.045, 118.06, 118.07, 118.075, 118.076, 118.10, 118.12, 118.125 to 118.14, 118.145 (4), 118.15, 118.153, 118.16, 118.162, 118.163, 118.164, 118.18, 118.19, 118.196, 118.20, 118.223, 118.225, 118.24 (1), (2) (c) to (f), (6), (8), and (10), 118.245, 118.25, 118.255, 118.258, 118.291, 118.292, 118.293, 118.30 to 118.43, 118.46, 118.50, 118.51, 118.52, 118.53, 118.55, 118.56, 120.12 (2m), (4m), (5), and (15) to (27), 120.125, 120.13 (1), (2) (b) to (g), (3), (14), (17) to (19), (26), (34), (35), (37), (37m), and (38), 120.137, 120.14, 120.20, 120.21 (3), and 120.25 are applicable to a 1st class city school district and board but not, unless explicitly provided in this chapter or in the terms of a contract, to the commissioner or to any school transferred to an opportunity schools and partnership program.

AB68,2121 Section 2121. 119.16 (1n) of the statutes is repealed.

AB68,2122 Section 2122. 119.16 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68,1173,18 119.16 (2) Establish schools and districts. The board shall maintain the public schools in the city, other than those public schools transferred to the opportunity schools and partnership programs under s. 119.33 and subch. II, and shall establish, organize, and maintain such schools as the board determines are necessary to accommodate the children entitled to instruction therein. The board shall divide the city into attendance districts for such schools.

AB68,2123 Section 2123. 119.16 (8) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68,1174,2 119.16 (8) (a) Annually before adopting its budget for the ensuing school year and at least 5 days before transmitting its completed budget under par. (b), the board shall hold a public hearing on the proposed school budget at a time and place fixed by the board. At least 45 days before the public hearing, the board shall notify the superintendent of schools and the commissioner of the date, time, and place of the hearing. At least one week before the public hearing, the board shall publish a class 1 notice, under ch. 985, of the public hearing.

AB68,2124 Section 2124. 119.16 (8) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68,1174,12 119.16 (8) (b) The board shall transmit its completed budget to the common council on or before the first Monday in August of each year on forms furnished by the auditing officer of the city, and shall include in the budget the information specified under s. 119.46 (1) for all public schools in the city under this chapter, including the schools transferred to the opportunity schools and partnership programs under s. 119.33 and subch. II. The board shall itemize those portions of the budget allocated to schools transferred to the opportunity schools and partnership programs under s. 119.33 and subch. II. Such completed budget shall be published with the budget summary under s. 65.04 (2) or 65.20 and budget under s. 65.05 (7).

AB68,2125 Section 2125. 119.16 (9) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68,1174,17 119.16 (9) School budget. Annually, the board shall prepare a budget for each school in the school district operating under this chapter, other than the schools transferred to the opportunity schools and partnership programs under s. 119.33 and subch. II.

AB68,2126 Section 2126. 119.16 (15) of the statutes is repealed.

AB68,2127 Section 2127. 119.23 (2) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68,1174,22 119.23 (2) (a) (intro.) Subject to pars. (ag) and, (ar), and (b), any pupil in grades kindergarten to 12 who resides within the city may attend any private school if all of the following apply:

AB68,2128 Section 2128. 119.23 (2) (a) 6. a. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB68,1175,3 119.23 (2) (a) 6. a. Except as provided in subd. 6. c., all of the private school's teachers have a teaching license issued by the department or a bachelor's degree or a degree or educational credential higher than a bachelor's degree, including a masters master's or doctorate, from a nationally or regionally accredited institution of higher education. This subd. 6. a. does not apply after June 30, 2024.

AB68,2129 Section 2129. 119.23 (2) (a) 6m. of the statutes is created to read:

AB68,1175,7 119.23 (2) (a) 6m. a. Except as provided in subd. 6m. b., beginning on July 1, 2024, all of the private school's teachers have a teaching license or permit issued by the department.

AB68,1175,17 b. Any teacher employed by the private school on July 1, 2024, who has been teaching for at least the 5 consecutive years immediately preceding July 1, 2024, and who does not satisfy the requirements under subd. 6m. a. on July 1, 2024, applies to the department on a form prepared by the department for a temporary, nonrenewable waiver from the requirements under subd. 6m. a. The department shall promulgate rules to implement this subd. 6m. b., including the form of the application and the process by which the waiver application will be reviewed. The application form shall require the applicant to submit a plan for satisfying the requirements under subd. 6m. a. No waiver granted under this subd. 6m. b. is valid after July 1, 2029.

AB68,2130 Section 2130. 119.23 (2) (b) of the statutes is created to read:

AB68,1175,21 119.23 (2) (b) 1. In this paragraph, “program cap” means the total number of pupils residing in the city who attended a private school under this section in the 2021-22 school year.

AB68,1175,24 2. Beginning with the 2022-23 school year, the total number of pupils residing in the city who may attend a private school under this section during a school year may not exceed the program cap.

AB68,2131 Section 2131. 119.23 (2) (c) 3. of the statutes is created to read:

AB68,1176,4 119.23 (2) (c) 3. Notwithstanding par. (a) 6m., a teacher employed by a private school participating in the program under this section who teaches only courses in rabbinical studies is not required to hold a license or permit to teach issued by the department.

AB68,2132 Section 2132. 119.23 (3) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is renumbered 119.23 (3) (a) and amended to read:

AB68,1176,20 119.23 (3) (a) The pupil or the pupil's parent or guardian shall submit an application, on a form provided by the state superintendent, to the participating private school that the pupil wishes to attend. If more than one pupil from the same family applies to attend the same private school, the pupils may use a single application. No later than 60 days after the end of the application period during which an application is received, the private school shall notify each applicant, in writing, whether his or her application has been accepted. If the private school rejects an application, the who is not eligible under sub. (2) to attend the private school under this section that the application is rejected. The notice shall be in writing and shall include the reason. A private school may reject an applicant only if it has reached its maximum general capacity or seating capacity. The state superintendent shall ensure that the private school determines which pupils to accept on a random basis, except that the private school may give preference to the following in accepting applications, in order of preference listed:

AB68,2133 Section 2133. 119.23 (3) (a) 1. to 5. of the statutes are renumbered 119.23 (3) (ar) 3. a. to e., and 119.23 (3) (ar) 3. b. and d., as renumbered, are amended to read:

AB68,1176,23 119.23 (3) (ar) 3. b. Siblings of pupils described in subd. 1. 3. a.

AB68,1176,24 d. Siblings of pupils described in subd. 3. c.

AB68,2134 Section 2134. 119.23 (3) (ar) of the statutes is created to read:

AB68,1177,2 119.23 (3) (ar) All of the following apply to applications to attend a private school under this section submitted by pupils who reside in the city: