Chapter 115

115.298(2) (2) A department, county department, or tribal organization that receives information contained in pupil records under sub. (1) (a) or (b) may not further disclose that information except as follows:

115.298(2)(a) (a) To a person who is engaged in addressing the pupil’s educational needs, who is authorized by that department, county department, or tribal organization to receive that disclosure, and to whom that disclosure is authorized under s. 118.125 or under a substantially similar tribal law.

115.298(2)(b) (b) Upon request, to any court of this state or of the United States that needs to review those records or that information for the purpose of addressing the educational needs of a pupil who is the subject of a proceeding in that court.

115.298(2)(c) (c) In response to an order of a court conducting proceedings under s. 48.135, 48.21, 938.135, 938.18, 938.183, or 938.21, proceedings related to a petition under s. 48.13, 48.133, 48.42, 938.12, or 938.13, or dispositional proceedings under subch. VI or VIII of ch. 48 or subch. VI of ch. 938 or in response to a subpoena issued in such a proceeding, to any person who is engaged in addressing the educational needs of the pupil and who is authorized to receive that disclosure under that order or subpoena. Except as provided in 20 USC 1232g (b) (2) (B), a department, county department, or tribal organization that is issued an order or subpoena described in this paragraph shall provide notice of the order or subpoena to the pupil’s parent or guardian before complying with the order or subpoena.

115.298 History History: 2015 a. 161.

115.30 115.30 Forms and reports.

115.30(1) (1) The department shall prepare for the use of school officers suitable forms for making reports, and suitable outlines as aids in conducting school meetings. With the exception of changes due to statute or rule revision, the department shall give school districts a one-year advance notice of any changes to be made to the forms and reports. School district officers and employees shall maintain a uniform recording of accounting as prescribed by the department and make such reports to the department as will enable it to distribute state school fund appropriations and state educational appropriations to the schools and persons entitled thereto, and to properly discharge the other duties of the department.

115.30(2) (2) The department may require all school boards to report to it, on forms provided, the name of the school and its location, the name and address of the teachers, the number of months of school maintained during the year, the opening and closing dates, the names and ages of all pupils enrolled between the ages of 6 and 18, the names and post-office addresses and places of residence of the parents of such pupils, the number of the school district and the distance such pupils reside from the schoolhouse, the number of days each pupil was present during each month and any other information requested by it.

115.30(3) (3) On or before each October 15, each administrator of a public or private school system or a home-based private educational program shall submit, on forms provided by the department, a statement of the enrollment on the 3rd Friday of September in the elementary and high school grades under his or her jurisdiction to the department which shall prepare such reports as will enable the public and private schools and home-based private educational programs to make projections regarding school buildings, teacher supply and funds required. The administrator of each private school system and home-based private educational program shall indicate in his or her report whether the system or program meets all of the criteria under s. 118.165 (1).

115.30(4) (4) In the biennial report under s. 15.04 (1) (d), the state superintendent also shall report:

115.30(4)(a) (a) The condition of all schools under the state superintendent’s supervision.

115.30(4)(b) (b) An abstract of the public school reports made to the state superintendent.

115.30(4)(c) (c) The state superintendent’s visits to educational institutions.

115.30(4)(d) (d) The work done by the department in the performance of its duties.

115.30(4)(e) (e) Plans for improving the schools and advancing education.

115.30(4)(f) (f) A summary of the receipts and disbursements of all schools under the state superintendent’s jurisdiction.

115.30(4)(g) (g) Such other matters as the state superintendent deems appropriate.

115.30(5) (5) The department shall make certified copies, when required, of any papers deposited or filed or records kept in the department, and of any act or decision made by it. The fee therefor shall be 15 cents per page.

115.30 History History: 1975 c. 224; 1977 c. 196 s. 131; 1977 c. 273; 1981 c. 314; 1983 a. 512; 1993 a. 492; 1995 a. 27 ss. 3864 to 3866, 9145 (1); 1997 a. 27.

115.31 115.31 License or permit revocation; reports; investigation.

115.31(1) (1) In this section:

115.31(1)(a) (a) “Administrator” means the chief administrative officer of an educational agency. If the chief administrative officer is the subject of a report under this section, “administrator” means the presiding officer of the governing board of the educational agency or the secretary of the department in which the educational agency is located.

115.31(1)(b) (b) “Educational agency” means a school district, cooperative educational service agency, state correctional institution under s. 302.01, juvenile correctional facility, as defined in s. 938.02 (10p), secured residential care center for children and youth, as defined in s. 938.02 (15g), the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, the Wisconsin Educational Services Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, the Mendota Mental Health Institute, the Winnebago Mental Health Institute, a state center for the developmentally disabled, a private school, or a private, nonprofit, nonsectarian agency under contract with a school board under s. 118.153 (3) (c).

115.31(1)(c) (c)

115.31(1)(c)1. 1. “Immoral conduct” means conduct or behavior that is contrary to commonly accepted moral or ethical standards and that endangers the health, safety, welfare, or education of any pupil. “Immoral conduct” includes all of the following:

115.31(1)(c)1.a. a. The intentional use of an educational agency’s equipment to download, view, solicit, seek, display, or distribute pornographic material.

115.31(1)(c)1.b. b. Assisting a school employee, contractor, or agent to obtain a new job in a school or with a local educational agency, as defined in 20 USC 7801 (30), if the individual knows or has a reasonable suspicion to believe that the school employee, contractor, or agent committed a sex offense, as defined in s. 301.45 (1d) (b), and the victim was a minor or a pupil.

115.31(1)(c)2. 2. It is not immoral conduct under subd. 1. b. if any of the following apply:

115.31(1)(c)2.a. a. The assistance is the transmittal of administrative and personnel files.

115.31(1)(c)2.b. b. The information the individual knows or that is the basis of the individual’s reasonable suspicion has been properly reported to law enforcement and law enforcement has closed any resulting case or investigation without a conviction.

115.31(2) (2) Except as provided under sub. (2g), after written notice of the charges and of an opportunity for defense, any license granted by the state superintendent may be revoked by the state superintendent for incompetency or immoral conduct on the part of the licensee.

115.31(2g) (2g) Notwithstanding subch. II of ch. 111, the state superintendent shall revoke a license granted by the state superintendent, without a hearing, if the licensee is convicted of any of the following:

115.31(2g)(a) (a) A Class A, B, C, or D felony under ch. 940 or 948, except ss. 940.08 and 940.205, for a violation that occurs on or after September 12, 1991.

115.31(2g)(b) (b) A Class E, F, G, or H felony under ch. 940 or 948, except ss. 940.08 and 940.205, for a violation that occurs on or after February 1, 2003.

115.31(2g)(c) (c) Any of the following, if the violation occurs on or after March 24, 2024:

115.31(2g)(c)1. 1. A violation of s. 942.08, 942.09 (2), 948.098, 948.10, or 948.11 (2) (a).

115.31(2g)(c)2. 2. A felony violation of s. 943.20 if the property belonged to the school district.

115.31(2g)(c)3. 3. A violation of federal law or the law of any other state or jurisdiction that would be a violation of subd. 1. or 2. or par. (a) or (b) if committed in this state.

115.31(2r) (2r) 

115.31(2r)(a) (a) Except as provided under pars. (b) and (c), the state superintendent may not reinstate a license revoked under sub. (2g) for 6 years following the date of the conviction, and may reinstate a license revoked under sub. (2g) only if the licensee establishes by clear and convincing evidence that he or she is entitled to reinstatement.

115.31(2r)(b) (b) The state superintendent shall reinstate a license revoked under sub. (2g), prior to the expiration of the 6-year period following the conviction, if he or she receives from the court in which the conviction occurred a certificate stating that the conviction has been reversed, set aside or vacated.

115.31(2r)(c) (c) The state superintendent may not reinstate a license revoked under sub. (2g) if the license was revoked for any of the following:

115.31(2r)(c)1. 1. A felony conviction for a violation of ch. 948 described in sub. (2g) (a) or (b).

115.31(2r)(c)2. 2. A felony conviction for a violation of s. 942.08 or 948.098.

115.31(2r)(c)3. 3. A conviction for a violation of s. 942.09 (2) if the person depicted in the representation is a child.

115.31(2r)(c)4. 4. A conviction for the violation of federal law or the law of any other state or jurisdiction that would be a violation of subd. 1., 2., or 3. if committed in this state.

115.31(3) (3) An administrator shall do all of the following:

115.31(3)(a) (a) Report to the state superintendent the name of any person employed by the educational agency and licensed by the state superintendent, and include a complete copy of the licensee’s personnel file and all records related to any investigation of the licensee conducted by or on behalf of the educational agency, if any of the following occurs:

115.31(3)(a)1. 1. The person is charged with a crime under ch. 948, including a crime specified under s. 948.015, a felony with a maximum term of imprisonment of at least 5 years or a crime in which the victim was a child.

115.31(3)(a)2. 2. The person is convicted of a crime described under subd. 1. or of 4th degree sexual assault under s. 940.225 (3m).

115.31(3)(a)3. 3. The person is dismissed, or his or her contract is not renewed, by the employer based in whole or in part on evidence that the person engaged in immoral conduct.

115.31(3)(a)4. 4. The person resigns and the administrator has a reasonable suspicion that the resignation relates to the person having engaged in immoral conduct.

115.31(3)(b) (b) Report to the state superintendent the name of any person employed by the educational agency who is not licensed by the state superintendent if the person is convicted of a crime described under par. (a) 1. or of 4th degree sexual assault under s. 940.225 (3m).

115.31(3)(c) (c) Send a copy of any report that is made to the state superintendent under par. (a) or (b) to the person who is the subject of the report.

115.31(4) (4) If an administrator requests a person who is employed by an educational agency and licensed by the state superintendent to resign, and the administrator has a reasonable suspicion that the person engaged in immoral conduct, the administrator shall inform the person of the duty to report to the state superintendent under sub. (3) (a) 4.

115.31(5) (5) 

115.31(5)(a) (a) A report under sub. (3) shall be made within 15 days after the administrator becomes aware of the charge, conviction, dismissal, nonrenewal or resignation.

115.31(5)(b) (b) Any administrator who in good faith reports or fails to report information under sub. (3), and any other person who reports information under sub. (3) to the state superintendent, is immune from civil liability for such acts or omissions.

115.31(6) (6) 

115.31(6)(a) (a) Upon receiving a report under sub. (3) (a) 2. or (b) indicating that a person was convicted of a crime, the state superintendent shall verify the conviction.

115.31(6)(b) (b) Upon receiving a report under sub. (3) relating to a person licensed by the state superintendent, the state superintendent shall investigate to determine whether to initiate revocation proceedings. The state superintendent shall post on the department’s Internet site the name of the licensee who is under investigation. During the investigation the state superintendent shall keep confidential all information pertaining to the investigation except the fact that an investigation is being conducted and the date of the revocation hearing.

115.31(6)(c) (c) The department shall maintain a record of all investigations conducted under par. (b) that indicates the name of the licensee, the date the investigation began, the reason for the investigation, and the result of the investigation. Whenever an investigation results in the revocation of a license, the department shall post on its Internet site the name of the person whose license was revoked.

115.31(6m) (6m) The department of public instruction shall, without a hearing, revoke a license or permit granted by the department of public instruction if the department of revenue certifies under s. 73.0301 that the licensee or permit holder is liable for delinquent taxes or if the department of workforce development certifies under s. 108.227 that the licensee or permit holder is liable for delinquent unemployment insurance contributions.

115.31(7) (7) Any person who intentionally fails to report as required under this section may be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned for not more than 6 months or both.

115.31(8) (8) The state superintendent shall promulgate rules to implement and administer this section.

115.31 History History: 1991 a. 42 ss. 1 to 3, 4r; 1993 a. 16, 98; 1995 a. 27 s. 9145 (1); 1995 a. 77; 1997 a. 27, 237; 1999 a. 9; 2001 a. 57, 103, 109; 2005 a. 344; 2011 a. 84; 2013 a. 36; 2017 a. 130; 2023 a. 200.

115.31 Annotation A woman attempting to protect the lives of her daughter and granddaughters by shooting their potential attacker after issuing numerous warnings and taking actions in an apparent attempt to avoid shooting did not act contrary to commonly accepted moral or ethical standards. That she was convicted of carrying a concealed weapon did not necessarily show moral turpitude or bad purpose. Epstein v. Benson, 2000 WI App 195, 238 Wis. 2d 717, 618 N.W.2d 224, 99-1338.

115.315 115.315 Memorandum of understanding; license restriction and suspension. As provided in the memorandum of understanding under s. 49.857, the department shall restrict or suspend a license or permit granted by the department if the licensee or permit holder is delinquent in making court-ordered payments of child or family support, maintenance, birth expenses, medical expenses or other expenses related to the support of a child or former spouse or if the licensee or permit holder fails to comply, after appropriate notice, with a subpoena or warrant issued by the department of children and families or a county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5) and related to paternity or child support proceedings.

115.315 History History: 1997 a. 191; 2007 a. 20.

115.33 115.33 Inspection of school buildings.

115.33(1) (1) In this section:

115.33(1)(a) (a) “In compliance” means in compliance with subchs. I and IV of ch. 101, ch. 145 and ss. 254.11 to 254.178 and the rules promulgated under subchs. I and IV of ch. 101, ch. 145 and ss. 254.11 to 254.178.

115.33(1)(b) (b) “Proposed use” means a function that the school board has indicated by resolution that it intends to pursue within the current school year or the next 2 succeeding school years.

115.33(2) (2) 

115.33(2)(a) (a) The state superintendent may request the department of safety and professional services to inspect a public school if any of the following occurs:

115.33(2)(a)1. 1. Any elector in the school district complains in writing to the state superintendent that the school is inadequate or is otherwise unfit for school purposes.

115.33(2)(a)2. 2. The school board of the school district in which the school is located requests the state superintendent to do so. The school board may also request an opinion as to whether the school is adequate for a proposed use.

115.33(2)(a)3. 3. The state superintendent determines there is significant evidence that the school is not in compliance.

115.33(2)(b) (b) The department of safety and professional services shall inspect the school within 30 days after receiving a request from the state superintendent under par. (a).

115.33(3) (3) 

115.33(3)(a) (a) If the state superintendent determines that a school is not in compliance, and the department of safety and professional services, based on its inspection of the school, concurs in the determination, the state superintendent may order the school board to repair, improve, remodel or close the school by a stated date. An order issued under this paragraph constitutes a preliminary finding of noncompliance with the standard under s. 121.02 (1) (i).

115.33(3)(b) (b)

115.33(3)(b)1. 1. If the state superintendent determines that a school is not in compliance and is not worth repairing, and the department of safety and professional services, based on its inspection of the school, concurs in the determination, the state superintendent may order the school board to develop a plan that describes how the school board will achieve compliance with the standard under s. 121.02 (1) (i). The plan shall specify the time within which compliance with the standard under s. 121.02 (1) (i) shall be achieved. The state superintendent shall hold a public hearing on the plan in the school district and may, as a result of the hearing, recommend changes to the plan. The state superintendent may withhold up to 25 percent of the school district’s state aid if the school district fails to achieve compliance with the standard under s. 121.02 (1) (i) within the period specified in the plan.

115.33(3)(b)2. 2. Section 121.02 (3) does not apply to determinations under subd. 1. or to orders issued under subd. 1.

115.33 History History: 1989 a. 31; 1993 a. 450; 1995 a. 27 ss. 3867 to 3870, 9116 (5) and 9145 (1); 1997 a. 27, 310; 2011 a. 32; 2017 a. 143.

115.34 115.34 School lunch program.

115.34(1) (1) The department may contract for the operation and maintenance of school lunch programs and for the distribution, transportation, warehousing, processing and insuring of food products provided by the federal government. The form and specifications of such contracts shall be determined by the department. Amounts remaining unpaid for 60 days or more after they become payable under the terms of such contracts shall be deemed past due and shall be certified to the department of administration on October 1 of each year and included in the next apportionment of state special charges to local units of government as special charges against the school districts and municipalities charged therewith.

115.34(2) (2) The state superintendent shall make payments to school districts, private schools, charter schools under s. 118.40 (2r) and (2x), tribal schools, the program under s. 115.52, and the center under s. 115.525 for school lunches served to children in the prior year as determined by the state superintendent from the appropriation under s. 20.255 (2) (cn). Payments shall equal the state’s matching obligation under 42 USC 1751 et seq. Payments in the current year shall be determined by prorating the state’s matching obligation based on the number of school lunches served to children in the prior year. In this subsection, “private school” means any school defined in s. 115.001 (3r) which complies with the requirements of 42 USC 2000d.

115.34 History History: 1971 c. 125, 215; 1975 c. 39, 224; 1977 c. 29; 1979 c. 221 ss. 584m, 2200 (43); 1983 a. 27; 1983 a. 189 s. 329 (17m); 1983 a. 512 s. 8; 1995 a. 27 s. 9145 (1); 1997 a. 27; 2005 a. 25; 2009 a. 302; 2015 a. 55.