MONROE - After more than a week of negotiations and compromises, an agreement to keep virtual schools operating has been reached and should be approved by the end of the week, Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, said.
Davis said he's received assurances from Gov. Jim Doyle and the Assembly and Senate leadership that the compromise will receive their support.
"We expect the bill will pass both houses this week and will be signed into law very soon," Davis said. He predicted the bill to be signed by Doyle by the end of the month.
A dozen virtual schools, including one in Monroe, with about 3,400 students have faced the prospect of closing after a December appeals court ruling said the largest one was in violation of state laws, raising the possibility all would lose state funding and be forced to shut down.
The Republican-controlled Assembly had approved a bill to bring the schools in compliance with several state laws while allowing them to keep growing rapidly. But the Democratic-controlled Senate included a two-year enrollment freeze in the bill it passed.
Davis said the compromise allows the schools to increase to a permanent cap of 5,250 students, not counting siblings who are guaranteed the opportunity to enroll.
He said it retains elements creating clear authorization for operating the schools and also creating new accountability measures.
Davis said he's not in favor of any enrollment caps, but said one was necessary to get a compromise passed so virtual schools could stay open.
Monroe school district Superintendent Larry Brown said he was glad both sides could reach a compromise. Like Davis, he's not in favor of enrollment caps but understood one was necessary for a bill to pass.
He said the school district can now move forward with operating its virtual school.
Davis said the Assembly would take up the measure today.
The appeals court had ruled that the state's largest virtual school, Wisconsin Virtual Academy, was operating in violation of open-enrollment, charter school and teacher licensing laws. The same logic could be applied to the others.
Supporters urged lawmakers to keep them open, saying they are vital for students who do not learn well in traditional schools and for parents who want to educate children from home.
Davis said he's received assurances from Gov. Jim Doyle and the Assembly and Senate leadership that the compromise will receive their support.
"We expect the bill will pass both houses this week and will be signed into law very soon," Davis said. He predicted the bill to be signed by Doyle by the end of the month.
A dozen virtual schools, including one in Monroe, with about 3,400 students have faced the prospect of closing after a December appeals court ruling said the largest one was in violation of state laws, raising the possibility all would lose state funding and be forced to shut down.
The Republican-controlled Assembly had approved a bill to bring the schools in compliance with several state laws while allowing them to keep growing rapidly. But the Democratic-controlled Senate included a two-year enrollment freeze in the bill it passed.
Davis said the compromise allows the schools to increase to a permanent cap of 5,250 students, not counting siblings who are guaranteed the opportunity to enroll.
He said it retains elements creating clear authorization for operating the schools and also creating new accountability measures.
Davis said he's not in favor of any enrollment caps, but said one was necessary to get a compromise passed so virtual schools could stay open.
Monroe school district Superintendent Larry Brown said he was glad both sides could reach a compromise. Like Davis, he's not in favor of enrollment caps but understood one was necessary for a bill to pass.
He said the school district can now move forward with operating its virtual school.
Davis said the Assembly would take up the measure today.
The appeals court had ruled that the state's largest virtual school, Wisconsin Virtual Academy, was operating in violation of open-enrollment, charter school and teacher licensing laws. The same logic could be applied to the others.
Supporters urged lawmakers to keep them open, saying they are vital for students who do not learn well in traditional schools and for parents who want to educate children from home.