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Shorewood board flags concerns about WASB membership proposal and special-education funding uncertainty
Summary
Board members at the Jan. 13 meeting discussed proposed Wisconsin Association of School Boards delegate-assembly resolutions, raising concern about a Kettle Moraine proposal to create a two-tier membership that would limit some districts' voting rights and an emergency resolution addressing special-education reimbursement uncertainty.
At its Jan. 13 meeting, the Shorewood School Board discussed proposed resolutions for the Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB) delegate assembly, focusing on two issues that board members said warrant further review: a Kettle Moraine proposal to create a two-tier WASB membership structure that would restrict voting rights for "limited active" members, and emergency resolutions responding to recent uncertainty in state special-education reimbursement figures.
One board member said the Kettle Moraine proposal appears to create "two kinds of membership" in which limited members would not be able to vote on resolutions or submit proposals; the speaker said that change could amount to a diminution of districts' advocacy voice. "That sounds like redlining," the board member said. Other members suggested the proposal may be a response to districts that have stepped away from WASB over political disagreements and that the amendment could be a path for reengagement, but several directors said they preferred to retain voting rights by maintaining full membership.
Board members also discussed an emergency resolution from Wisconsin Heights aimed at ensuring greater certainty for special-education reimbursement after the biennial budget process produced lower-than-expected allocations; one director summarized that although the budget language initially showed 42% reimbursement, the actual funds available could yield about 35% when allocations are finalized. Members described that uncertainty as material to district budgeting and supported asking questions at the WASB delegate assembly and gathering more information before instructing their delegate how to vote.
No formal instruction or motion on WASB positions was taken at the Jan. 13 meeting; board members asked the board delegate to seek clarification at the assembly and asked staff to circulate packet materials and preferred recommendations ahead of the vote deadline.
