MONROE - Once again, Monroe finds itself in the middle of the statewide debate over virtual schools. But this time, it's a chance to showcase how the school district handles online education.
Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Middleton, and Sen. John Lehman, D-Racine, will be in Monroe Feb. 7 at 1 p.m. to tour the Monroe Virtual School. The visit comes on the tails of a compromise bill being offered by state lawmakers that would allow virtual schools to remain open.
Virtual schools, which allow students to study and earn a high school diploma online, came under fire last month after an appeals court ordered the state to withhold funding to the Wisconsin Virtual Academy, one of the largest virtual schools in the state. Lehman then introduced legislation that would have cut funding to virtual schools in half, making it difficult for them to continue to operate. Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, authored an opposing bill that would have preserved funding levels and allowed virtual schools to operate without court intervention.
Last week, lawmakers announced a compromise that will not cut funding but employ new regulations designed to ensure a quality education for virtual school students.
Monroe Superintendent Larry Brown said he received the legislation late Monday afternoon and hadn't had time to study it thoroughly as of Monday's school board meeting.
"I think overall it will be a good thing," he told the Monroe School Board Monday night, adding "we may have to make some changes in how we do business."
Brown also praised the House and Senate education committees for being able to work quickly on a compromise.
Sen. Jon Erpenbach, D-Middleton, and Sen. John Lehman, D-Racine, will be in Monroe Feb. 7 at 1 p.m. to tour the Monroe Virtual School. The visit comes on the tails of a compromise bill being offered by state lawmakers that would allow virtual schools to remain open.
Virtual schools, which allow students to study and earn a high school diploma online, came under fire last month after an appeals court ordered the state to withhold funding to the Wisconsin Virtual Academy, one of the largest virtual schools in the state. Lehman then introduced legislation that would have cut funding to virtual schools in half, making it difficult for them to continue to operate. Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, authored an opposing bill that would have preserved funding levels and allowed virtual schools to operate without court intervention.
Last week, lawmakers announced a compromise that will not cut funding but employ new regulations designed to ensure a quality education for virtual school students.
Monroe Superintendent Larry Brown said he received the legislation late Monday afternoon and hadn't had time to study it thoroughly as of Monday's school board meeting.
"I think overall it will be a good thing," he told the Monroe School Board Monday night, adding "we may have to make some changes in how we do business."
Brown also praised the House and Senate education committees for being able to work quickly on a compromise.