Governor Jim Doyle has no plans to support virtual school legislation passed by the Assembly.
The Assembly bill passed Thursday caps enrollment, but nearly doubles the 3,500 student limit the Governor asked for in the Senate version. Doyle says lawmakers are using the situation to push a "big expansion" of virtual school programs.
Lawmakers have been rushing to pass a virtual school bill after an Appeals Court ruled in December that the programs can't qualify for state aid. Some programs could shut down next fall if a bill is not passed this session.
Doyle says he's open to compromise, but not the cap of about 8,700 students in the Assembly bill. Doyle doesn't think the offer was even a "serious offer" from Republicans.
The Governor has said he'll veto any bill that does not include a cap. He says it's needed so there's time to see what impact the programs are having on bricks and mortar schools. The bill does include a financial impact study requested by the Governor.
