Five years ago the Northern Ozaukee School District launched the Wisconsin Virtual Academy (WIVA). Our goal was to offer an innovative online public charter school using licensed and highly qualified teachers, established best practices of distance learning, and a rigorous curriculum to educate children. By all measures, we have succeeded. Today, WIVA serves more than 800 students. Parent satisfaction is extremely high and students' test scores are very strong. Last year WIVA made Adequate Yearly Progress and exceeded the state's proficiency scores in nearly every grade and subject tested. WIVA is thriving. It is a highly accountable public school where students meet and exceed academic and attendance requirements, and our faculty is professionally trained in delivering online instruction. Our licensed teachers are committed educators who are passionate about delivering individualized, one-to-one instruction to their students. The school uses powerful technology including engaging web-based courses and electronic "virtual" classrooms. We also build a strong school community through numerous clubs, events, and face-to-face activities. We serve kids with learning challenges, medical conditions and special needs; high-performing students; students who need to move at their own pace; and students who require a more flexible schedule and personalized learning experience. All of this and more has made WIVA an excellent public school option for many. WIVA's accomplishments have come despite the fact that a powerful union, the Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC), actively opposes online charter schools and has used the courts to try and shut them down. The union was unsuccessful in 2003 and 2006, when two courts concluded online charter schools were not in violation of the Wisconsin law. However, last December the state Appeals Court issued a ruling against WIVA that was so sweeping it threatened every online school in Wisconsin. It may have been a win for the union, but it was a loss for children. We are hopeful that the Wisconsin Supreme Court will take the case and rule in favor of online schools, as two previous courts did. And we pledged to families that WIVA will remain open and accept applicants during the state's open enrollment period. Nevertheless, the uncertainty created by this latest court ruling is extremely unsettling for every online school student and teacher in Wisconsin. Legislation recently introduced in the Assembly by Reps. Brett Davis and Daniel LeMahieu is very encouraging. Their bill clarifies state statutes to make certain that all online schools can serve kids for years to come. It protects parents' ability to choose the best public school option for their children. It promotes innovation, accountability and education excellence. It saves our schools. Unfortunately, legislation proposed in the Senate by Sen. John Lehman does the exact opposite - it would force online charter schools to close. Sen. Lehman proposes a massive 50 percent cut in funding to online public charter schools. Such an enormous cut would make it impossible for districts to operate online schools. Thousands of kids would lose their schools and teachers would lose their jobs. Wisconsin's online schools already receive nearly half of the total funding provided to traditional public schools, and less funding than what many other states provide to full-time online schools. The Lehman bill also establishes arbitrary new mandates on teachers that are not based on any research or best practices used in online learning, and it creates new enrollment provisions that restricts access for children and stifles the ability for parents to choose an online school for their children. Northern Ozaukee is proud to offer a quality online school with a record of achievement. WIVA is a proven success and a model of online learning in Wisconsin. Most importantly, children are excelling. This is why we hope that policymakers will work together to make sure WIVA, and all of our state's online schools, are protected and preserved.

- William Harbron is the superintendent of the Northern Ozaukee School District. Kurt Bergland is the principal of the Wisconsin Virtual Academy.