Chapter 120

120.12 History History: 1973 c. 61, 90; 1975 c. 180, 421; 1977 c. 206, 418; 1979 c. 301, 318, 334; 1983 a. 189 s. 329 (21); 1985 a. 29, 218, 225; 1987 a. 285; 1989 a. 31, 114, 209, 264, 359; 1991 a. 39, 269; 1993 a. 16, 27, 437; 1995 a. 27 ss. 4022r, 4023m, 9126 (19), 9145 (1); 1995 a. 77, 201; 1997 a. 27, 160, 237, 240; 1999 a. 9; 1999 a. 150 s. 672; 2001 a. 30; 2005 a. 220; 2007 a. 20 s. 9121 (6) (a); 2007 a. 40; 2009 a. 28, 305, 309, 334; 2011 a. 10, 105, 166; 2013 a. 257; 2015 a. 55, 63; 2017 a. 30, 59.

120.12 Annotation Nothing in this chapter or ch. 62 precludes a school board from qualifying as a proper “claimant” against a city under s. 62.25. Joint School District No. 1 v. City of Chilton, 78 Wis. 2d 52, 253 N.W.2d 879 (1977).

120.12 Annotation Section 66.185 [now s. 66.0137] does not prohibit providing health insurance benefits to persons not listed in the statute if authority is granted by other statutes. This section and ss. 120.13 and 120.44, broadly construed as required by s. 118.001, grant broad powers, including that of providing insurance to persons not listed in this section. Pritchard v. Madison Metropolitan School District, 2001 WI App 62, 242 Wis. 2d 301, 625 N.W.2d 613, 00-0848.

120.12 Annotation The duties and powers under sub. (14) and ss. 118.001 and 120.13 extend to individual teachers as employees of the school board. It would be absurd to require teachers to obtain special permission from the school board with respect to every detail of their teaching. Summer homework, particularly for an honors class for which students receive additional credit, fits comfortably within the range of what is reasonable and is not unconstitutional. Larson v. Burmaster, 2006 WI App 142, 295 Wis. 2d 333, 720 N.W.2d 134, 05-1433.

120.12 Annotation Sub. (18) requires a school board to cooperate with the juvenile court and the agency designated by the court to prepare an educational plan under s. 938.33 (1) (e) for a pupil or former pupil who is subject to a dispositional order under s. 938.34 or 938.355 and to coordinate and provide for continuity of educational programming for pupils receiving educational services as the result of a court order under s. 938.34 (7d). Sub. (18) does not require a school board or a school district to provide alternative educational resources to a juvenile who has been expelled from school under s. 120.13 (1) (c) 1. Madison Metropolitan School District v. Circuit Court, 2011 WI 72, 336 Wis. 2d 95, 800 N.W.2d 442, 09-2845.

120.12 Annotation Together, sub. (1) and ss. 118.001 and 120.13 provide that a school board has the power to do all things reasonable to promote the cause of education and the duty to care for, control, and manage the property and affairs of the school district, and courts are required to broadly construe such already broad powers and duties so as to authorize any school board action that is within the comprehensive meaning of the terms of such powers and duties, so long as the action is not prohibited by state or federal laws. The powers of a school board include the power to authorize a ban from district property of an individual whose presence on district property the board has determined would unnecessarily expose students to potentially dangerous behavior. Klosterman v. School District, 2022 WI App 54, 404 Wis. 2d 688, 981 N.W.2d 424, 20-2076.

120.12 Annotation Under sub. (3), the school board of a common or union high school district has ultimate authority to determine the tax levy for operation and maintenance of the schools in the district. 79 Atty. Gen. 46.

120.12 Annotation School boards have the authority to enforce policies that mandate the manner, conditions, and content of police interviews with students on school premises during school hours. 81 Atty. Gen. 126.

120.12 Annotation Individual school board members are not liable for a failure to supervise district employees. Callaway v. Hafeman, 628 F. Supp. 1478 (1986).

120.123 120.123 School and school district accountability reports. Beginning in September 2016, and annually thereafter, each school that maintains an Internet site shall, if the school is included in the most recent accountability report published under s. 115.385, within 30 days after the department publishes the accountability report, prominently link on the home page of that Internet site to the pages in that most recent accountability report concerning the school.

120.123 History History: 2015 a. 338.

120.125 120.125 Before- and after-school child care.

120.125(1) (1) In this section, “before- and after-school child care program” means a program that provides child care services before school, after school, or both before and after school.

120.125(2) (2) 

120.125(2)(a) (a) A school board shall permit a child care provider who has submitted a request which meets all of the requirements under sub. (3) to administer a before- and after-school child care program in any elementary school within the school district unless:

120.125(2)(a)1. 1. There is a limitation of reasonably available space within the elementary school;

120.125(2)(a)2. 2. The school board has previously accepted a request which was submitted under this subsection;

120.125(2)(a)3. 3. Before- and after-school child care programs exist in the elementary school;

120.125(2)(a)4. 4. The school board intends to provide before- and after-school child care services in the elementary school;

120.125(2)(a)5. 5. The requirements under sub. (3) have not been met; or

120.125(2)(a)6. 6. Paragraph (b) applies.

120.125(2)(b) (b) The school board may deny a request under par. (a) 6. if the school board intends to solicit child care providers to submit requests to provide before- and after-school child care programs in the elementary school for which a request under par. (a) was submitted. If a school board denies a request under this paragraph, the request submitted under par. (a) shall be considered along with requests that are submitted as a result of the school board solicitation.

120.125(2)(c) (c) If a school board denies a request under par. (a) or (b), the school board shall specify the reasons for denial, in writing, to the child care provider within 60 days after the date on which the request is received.

120.125(3) (3) 

120.125(3)(a) (a) A request submitted to a school board under sub. (2) shall be in writing, shall name the elementary school in which the before- and after-school child care program is to be provided, and shall specify the amount of space needed, the number and ages of the pupils to be served, and the time the provider intends to operate the program. The request shall also contain all of the following assurances:

120.125(3)(a)1. 1. That the child care provider will be responsible for all actual incremental costs incurred by the school as a result of permitting the child care provider to provide a before- and after-school child care program in the school building.

120.125(3)(a)2. 2. That the child care provider will be liable to the school district for any damage to property in the operation of the before- and after-school child care program, that the child care provider shall hold the school district harmless from any liability, claim, or damages caused by the acts or omissions of the child care provider, and that the child care provider will acquire adequate insurance coverage, as determined by the school district.

120.125(3)(a)3. 3. That the child care provider will not provide religious instruction or permit religious practices to be conducted during the before- and after-school child care program.

120.125(3)(b) (b) A school board shall conditionally grant a request submitted by a child care provider if all the requirements under par. (a) are met and sub. (2) (a) 1. to 6. and (b) does not apply.

120.125(4) (4) If a request under sub. (3) is conditionally accepted by the school board, the school board shall enter into a written agreement with the child care provider that specifies the hours during the day in which the child care provider is to occupy the school premises and the rooms, facilities, or equipment that are to be used by the child care provider. The agreement shall also provide all of the following:

120.125(4)(a) (a) Except as provided under s. 121.545 (2), that the school board is not responsible for providing transportation to or from the before- and after-school child care program.

120.125(4)(b) (b) That nothing in the agreement would prohibit the school board from permitting other child care providers to provide child care services to pupils in the same building during the same time and that nothing in the agreement would prohibit the school district from providing before- and after-school child care programs in the same building and during the same time in which the child care provider provides before- and after-school child care programs.

120.125(4)(c) (c) That the agreement may be terminated by the school board at the end of a school year if the school board intends to provide child care for the pupils in the elementary school or intends to solicit other child care providers to provide services during the following school year.

120.125(4)(d) (d) That the school board may review and terminate the agreement at any time, with 30 days’ prior written notice to the child care provider, if any of the conditions in the agreement are violated by the child care provider.

120.125(4)(e) (e) That the child care provider shall be responsible for all actual costs incurred by the school district as a result of the agreement, the costs of which shall be paid to the school district at times specified by the school board in the agreement.

120.125(4)(f) (f) That the child care provider shall be liable to the school district for any damage to property in the operation of the before- and after-school child care program, that the child care provider shall hold the school district harmless from any liability, claim, or damages caused by the acts or omissions of the child care provider, and that the child care provider shall acquire adequate insurance, as determined by the school district, to be in effect beginning the first day on which the child care provider provides the before- and after-school child care program.

120.125(4)(g) (g) That the child care provider shall not provide religious instruction or permit religious practices to be conducted during the before- and after-school child care program.

120.125(4)(h) (h) That the child care provider shall meet the standards for licensed child care centers established by the department of children and families.

120.125 History History: 1987 a. 386; 1991 a. 39; 1995 a. 27 s. 9126 (19); 2007 a. 20; 2009 a. 185.

120.13 120.13 School board powers. The school board of a common or union high school district may do all things reasonable to promote the cause of education, including establishing, providing and improving school district programs, functions and activities for the benefit of pupils, and including all of the following:

120.13(1) (1) School government rules; suspension; expulsion.

120.13(1)(a) (a) Make rules for the organization, gradation and government of the schools of the school district, including rules pertaining to conduct and dress of pupils in order to maintain good decorum and a favorable academic atmosphere, which shall take effect when approved by a majority of the school board and filed with the school district clerk. Subject to 20 USC 1415 (k), the school board shall adopt a code to govern pupils’ classroom conduct beginning in the 1999-2000 school year. The code shall be developed in consultation with a committee of school district residents that consists of parents, pupils, members of the school board, school administrators, teachers, pupil services professionals and other residents of the school district who are appointed to the committee by the school board. The code of classroom conduct may provide different standards of conduct for different schools and may provide additional placement options under s. 118.164 (3). The code shall include all of the following:

120.13(1)(a)1. 1. A specification of what constitutes dangerous, disruptive or unruly behavior or behavior that interferes with the ability of the teacher to teach effectively under s. 118.164 (2).

120.13(1)(a)2. 2. Any grounds in addition to those under subd. 1. for the removal of a pupil from the class under s. 118.164 (2).

120.13(1)(a)3. 3. The procedures for determining the appropriate educational placement of a pupil who has been removed from the class and assigned a placement by the school principal or his or her designee under s. 118.164.

120.13(1)(a)4. 4. A procedure for notifying the parent or guardian of a minor pupil who has been removed from the class under s. 118.164 (2).

120.13(1)(b) (b)

120.13(1)(b)1. 1. In addition to rule-making authority granted school boards under par. (a), the school district administrator, or any principal or teacher designated by the school district administrator, may make rules with the consent of the school board.

120.13(1)(b)2. 2. The school district administrator or any principal or teacher designated by the school district administrator may suspend a pupil for not more than 5 school days or, if a notice of expulsion hearing has been sent under par. (c) 4. or (e) 4. or s. 119.25 (2) (c), for not more than a total of 15 consecutive school days for any of the following reasons:

120.13(1)(b)2.a. a. Noncompliance with rules adopted under subd. 1. or school board rules.

120.13(1)(b)2.b. b. Knowingly conveying any threat or false information concerning an attempt or alleged attempt being made or to be made to destroy any school property by means of explosives.

120.13(1)(b)2.c. c. Conduct by the pupil while at school or while under the supervision of a school authority that endangers the property, health or safety of others.

120.13(1)(b)2.d. d. Conduct while not at school or while not under the supervision of a school authority that endangers the property, health or safety of others at school or under the supervision of a school authority or endangers the property, health or safety of any employee or school board member of the school district in which the pupil is enrolled.

120.13(1)(b)2m. 2m. In subd. 2. c. and d., conduct that endangers a person or property includes making a threat to the health or safety of a person or making a threat to damage property.

120.13(1)(b)3. 3. Prior to any suspension, the pupil shall be advised of the reason for the proposed suspension. The pupil may be suspended if it is determined that the pupil is guilty of noncompliance with a school board rule or a rule adopted under subd. 1., or of the conduct charged, and that the pupil’s suspension is reasonably justified. The parent or guardian of a suspended minor pupil shall be given prompt notice of the suspension and the reason for the suspension.

120.13(1)(b)4. 4. The suspended pupil or the pupil’s parent or guardian may, within 5 school days following the commencement of the suspension, have a conference with the school district administrator or his or her designee who shall be someone other than a principal, administrator or teacher in the suspended pupil’s school. If the school district administrator or his or her designee finds that the pupil was suspended unfairly or unjustly, or that the suspension was inappropriate, given the nature of the alleged offense, or that the pupil suffered undue consequences or penalties as a result of the suspension, reference to the suspension on the pupil’s school record shall be expunged. The administrator, or the administrator’s designee, shall make a finding within 15 days of the conference.

120.13(1)(b)5. 5. A pupil suspended under this paragraph shall not be denied the opportunity to take any quarterly, semester or grading period examinations or to complete course work missed during the suspension period, as provided in the attendance policy established under s. 118.16 (4) (a).

120.13(1)(bm) (bm) The school district administrator or any principal or teacher designated by the school district administrator shall suspend a pupil under par. (b) if the school district administrator, principal or teacher determines that the pupil, while at school or while under the supervision of a school authority, possessed a firearm, as defined in 18 USC 921 (a) (3). This paragraph does not apply to the possession of a firearm while legally hunting in a school forest if allowed under sub. (38).

120.13(1)(c) (c)

120.13(1)(c)1. 1. The school board may expel a pupil from school whenever it finds the pupil guilty of repeated refusal or neglect to obey the rules, or finds that a pupil knowingly conveyed or caused to be conveyed any threat or false information concerning an attempt or alleged attempt being made or to be made to destroy any school property by means of explosives, or finds that the pupil engaged in conduct while at school or while under the supervision of a school authority which endangered the property, health or safety of others, or finds that a pupil while not at school or while not under the supervision of a school authority engaged in conduct which endangered the property, health or safety of others at school or under the supervision of a school authority or endangered the property, health or safety of any employee or school board member of the school district in which the pupil is enrolled, and is satisfied that the interest of the school demands the pupil’s expulsion. In this subdivision, conduct that endangers a person or property includes making a threat to the health or safety of a person or making a threat to damage property.

120.13(1)(c)2. 2. In addition to the grounds for expulsion under subd. 1., the school board may expel from school a pupil who is at least 16 years old if the school board finds that the pupil repeatedly engaged in conduct while at school or while under the supervision of a school authority that disrupted the ability of school authorities to maintain order or an educational atmosphere at school or at an activity supervised by a school authority and that such conduct does not constitute grounds for expulsion under subd. 1., and is satisfied that the interest of the school demands the pupil’s expulsion.

120.13(1)(c)2m. 2m. The school board shall commence proceedings under subd. 3. and expel a pupil from school for not less than one year whenever it finds that the pupil, while at school or while under the supervision of a school authority, possessed a firearm, as defined in 18 USC 921 (a) (3). Annually, the school board shall report to the department the information specified under 20 USC 8921 (d) (1) and (2). This subdivision does not apply to the possession of a firearm while legally hunting in a school forest if allowed under sub. (38).

120.13(1)(c)3. 3. Prior to expelling a pupil, the school board shall hold a hearing. Upon request of the pupil and, if the pupil is a minor, the pupil’s parent or guardian, the hearing shall be closed. The pupil and, if the pupil is a minor, the pupil’s parent or guardian may be represented at the hearing by counsel. The school board shall keep written minutes of the hearing. Upon the ordering by the school board of the expulsion of a pupil, the school district clerk shall mail a copy of the order to the pupil and, if the pupil is a minor, to the pupil’s parent or guardian. The expelled pupil or, if the pupil is a minor, the pupil’s parent or guardian may appeal the expulsion to the state superintendent. If the school board’s decision is appealed to the state superintendent, within 60 days after the date on which the state superintendent receives the appeal, the state superintendent shall review the decision and shall, upon review, approve, reverse or modify the decision. The decision of the school board shall be enforced while the state superintendent reviews the decision. An appeal from the decision of the state superintendent may be taken within 30 days to the circuit court of the county in which the school is located.

120.13(1)(c)4. 4. Not less than 5 days’ written notice of the hearing under subd. 3. shall be sent to the pupil and, if the pupil is a minor, to the pupil’s parent or guardian. The notice shall state all of the following:

120.13(1)(c)4.a. a. The specific grounds, under subd. 1., 2. or 2m., and the particulars of the pupil’s alleged conduct upon which the expulsion proceeding is based.

120.13(1)(c)4.b. b. The time and place of the hearing.

120.13(1)(c)4.c. c. That the hearing may result in the pupil’s expulsion.

120.13(1)(c)4.d. d. That, upon request of the pupil and, if the pupil is a minor, the pupil’s parent or guardian, the hearing shall be closed.

120.13(1)(c)4.e. e. That the pupil and, if the pupil is a minor, the pupil’s parent or guardian may be represented at the hearing by counsel.

120.13(1)(c)4.f. f. That the school board shall keep written minutes of the hearing.

120.13(1)(c)4.g. g. That if the school board orders the expulsion of the pupil the school district clerk shall mail a copy of the order to the pupil and, if the pupil is a minor, to the pupil’s parent or guardian.

120.13(1)(c)4.h. h. That if the pupil is expelled by the school board the expelled pupil or, if the pupil is a minor, the pupil’s parent or guardian may appeal the school board’s decision to the department.

120.13(1)(c)4.i. i. That if the school board’s decision is appealed to the department, within 60 days after the date on which the department receives the appeal, the department shall review the decision and shall, upon review, approve, reverse or modify the decision.

120.13(1)(c)4.j. j. That the decision of the school board shall be enforced while the department reviews the school board’s decision.

120.13(1)(c)4.k. k. That an appeal from the decision of the department may be taken within 30 days to the circuit court for the county in which the school is located.

120.13(1)(c)4.L. L. That the state statutes related to pupil expulsion are ss. 119.25 and 120.13 (1).

120.13(1)(d) (d) No pupil enrolled in a school district operating under ch. 119 may be suspended or expelled from school for truancy.

120.13(1)(e) (e)

120.13(1)(e)1. 1. The school board may adopt a resolution, which is effective only during the school year in which it is adopted, authorizing any of the following to determine pupil expulsion from school under subd. 2. instead of using the procedure under par. (c) 3.:

120.13(1)(e)1.a. a. An independent hearing panel appointed by the school board.

120.13(1)(e)1.b. b. An independent hearing officer appointed by the school board.

120.13(1)(e)2. 2. During any school year in which a resolution adopted under subd. 1. is effective, the independent hearing officer or independent hearing panel appointed by the school board:

120.13(1)(e)2.a. a. May expel a pupil from school whenever the hearing officer or panel finds that the pupil engaged in conduct that constitutes grounds for expulsion under par. (c) 1. or 2.

120.13(1)(e)2.b. b. Shall commence proceedings under subd. 3. and expel a pupil from school for not less than one year whenever that hearing officer or panel finds that the pupil engaged in conduct that constitutes grounds for expulsion under par. (c) 2m.

120.13(1)(e)3. 3. Prior to expelling a pupil, the hearing officer or panel shall hold a hearing. Upon request of the pupil and, if the pupil is a minor, the pupil’s parent or guardian, the hearing shall be closed. The pupil and, if the pupil is a minor, the pupil’s parent or guardian, may be represented at the hearing by counsel. The hearing officer or panel shall keep a full record of the hearing. The hearing officer or panel shall inform each party of the right to a complete record of the proceeding. Upon request, the hearing officer or panel shall direct that a transcript of the record be prepared and that a copy of the transcript be given to the pupil and, if the pupil is a minor, the pupil’s parent or guardian. Upon the ordering by the hearing officer or panel of the expulsion of a pupil, the school district shall mail a copy of the order to the school board, the pupil and, if the pupil is a minor, the pupil’s parent or guardian. Within 30 days after the date on which the order is issued, the school board shall review the expulsion order and shall, upon review, approve, reverse or modify the order. The order of the hearing officer or panel shall be enforced while the school board reviews the order. The expelled pupil or, if the pupil is a minor, the pupil’s parent or guardian may appeal the school board’s decision to the state superintendent. If the school board’s decision is appealed to the state superintendent, within 60 days after the date on which the state superintendent receives the appeal, the state superintendent shall review the decision and shall, upon review, approve, reverse or modify the decision. The decision of the school board shall be enforced while the state superintendent reviews the decision. An appeal from the decision of the state superintendent may be taken within 30 days to the circuit court of the county in which the school is located. This paragraph does not apply to a school district operating under ch. 119.

120.13(1)(e)4. 4. Not less than 5 days’ written notice of the hearing under subd. 3. shall be sent to the pupil and, if the pupil is a minor, to the pupil’s parent or guardian. The notice shall state all of the following:

120.13(1)(e)4.a. a. The specific grounds, under par. (c) 1., 2. or 2m., and the particulars of the pupil’s alleged conduct upon which the expulsion proceeding is based.

120.13(1)(e)4.b. b. The time and place of the hearing.

120.13(1)(e)4.c. c. That the hearing may result in the pupil’s expulsion.