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DPI releases guidance on reopening K-12 schools

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The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction on Monday issued Education Forward, a guidance document for Wisconsin district and school leaders to use as they plan for a safe, efficient, and equitable return to school for the 2020-21 school year amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

State School Superintendent Carolyn Stanford Taylor said, “Education Forward is meant to provide information for educators and school officials as they make decisions regarding their school operations to keep all students and staff safe while learning.”

DPI specialists developed Education Forward in close collaboration with officials from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and education stakeholders throughout the state. The primary consideration of all involved was the health and safety of students and staff.

Education Forward provides health information, resources, and possible action steps aligned to not only close out the current school year, but also prepare for and implement provisions in the next school year. The document does not constitute a requirement for any district or school. Instead, the plan says the information should be used as a starting point to be modified in collaboration with all stakeholders.

The plan lays out various scheduling scenarios to maintain physical distancing, such as a four-day week – allowing for one day of deep cleaning. There is also a plan for a two-day rotation, under which all students report to a school, outdoor learning spaces or community-based organizations two full days a week for starters. Another plan spells out what is called an A/B weekly rotation, in which half the student population reports for classes four days a week, while the other half participates in virtual learning at home.

The two student groups would then alternate between in-person and virtual learning on a weekly basis. The 87-page document also lays out a phased approach, in which elementary students start back to school first, attending four full days a week, aimed primarily at reducing the student-teacher ratio. Secondary students engage in virtual learning to start out the year.

The document also includes specific considerations for special education students, English language-learning students, gifted and talented students, school libraries, and out-of-school programs.

Education Forward can be found in its entirety on the Department of Public Instruction website at www.dpi.wi.gov.

WDLB

Report: Wisconsin economy is worse of 50 states for racial inequality

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A new report ranks Wisconsin’s economy last in racial equality. Among the findings in the WalletHub study, Wisconsin has the nation’s highest gap in annual income between white and black households, and the highest gap in workforce participation between black and white residents.

Wisconsin ranks last of the 50 states in the report on the State Economies with the Most Racial Equality, with neighboring Minnesota and Illinois raking 48th and 49th.

What’s even more striking than the inequality in employment is the disparity in wealth between white and black Americans. The average white family has a net worth of $171,000, compared to just $17,150 for the average black family.

In order to determine which states have the most racial equality in terms of employment and wealth, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across eight key metrics.

The data compares the difference between white and black Americans in areas such as annual income, unemployment rate and home ownership rate.

Johnsen withdraws from consideration for UW System president job

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The only finalist to be the next University of Wisconsin System president has withdrawn his name from consideration.

Jim Johnsen was the only candidate intervieedd by the search committee looking for Ray Cross’ successor.

Johnsen’s candidacy was controversial among faculty and staff who complained about Johnsen’s track record as the University of Alaska System president, and about the selection process in Wisconsin which shut them out.

UW System Regent President Andrew S. Petersen released a statement:

“It’s disappointing, a dark day for the UW System.

“Dr. Johnsen is a fine person who conducted himself with professionalism and honor throughout the
process, during which he was unanimously identified by the search committee as the best candidate for our
system.

“We will work to identify and get through our immediate financial and operational challenges with the
pandemic, then deliberate on the next steps to conduct a new search when there is a better opportunity.”

In his letter withdrawing his name, Johnsen said UW officials “have important process issues to work out.”

Evers appoints Representative Taylor as Dane County Judge

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An outgoing state legislator has her next job lined up. Governor Tony Evers on Thursday appointed State Representative Chris Taylor to be a Dane County judge.

Taylor is a Democrat who’s represented Madison’s east side in the legislature for five terms. Before that, she worked for Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin.

She announced in March she would not seek re-election. Taylor will fill Jill Karofsky’s seat. Karofsky was elected to the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

A ‘gut punch’ for Wisconsin Rapids on news of paper mill shut down

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Nobody saw it coming. That’s the reaction in Wisconsin Rapids today, on news Verso Corporation will idle its paper mill there by the end of July.

“I was a part some conversations late yesterday afternoon where I was briefed on what would be occurring this morning, and I was shocked,” Wisconsin Rapids Mayor Shane Blaser said Tuesday. “I did not have any questions . . . I was speechless. We were given no indications that this was in the plans or possibly in the works at this time.”

A company news release says Verso will indefinitely idle mills in Wisconsin Rapids and Duluth, while exploring viable and sustainable alternatives for both, including restarting if market conditions improve, marketing for sale or closing permanently. A fact sheet from Verso says the Rapids mill employs approximately 915 people and has the capacity to produce approximately 540,000 tons of paper per year.

“I think we’re going to come through the other side of this, but it’s gut wrenching today,” state Representative Scott Krug of Wisconsin Rapids said. Krug, who still has his great grandfather’s retirement pin from the mill – calls it a “gut punch.”

WDLB

Menomonee Falls is only Wisconsin JC Penney closure

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Wisconsin will avoid the brunt of continued closures of J C Penney stores, for now. The retail chain announced closure of 154 stores as part of a bankruptcy agreement, but the only Wisconsin store on that list is in Menomonee Falls.

Numerous individual stores have closed over the past several years as the retailer has faced lower sales due to the rise of online shopping and lower mall traffic. JC Penney filed for bankruptcy protection last month.

State lawmakers propose use of force legislation

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In the wake of George Floyd’s death, Wisconsin legislators have proposals to deal with use of force, and investigations into deaths in police custody. Democrat, state Senator Latonya Johnson of Milwaukee wants use of force to be a last resort. “The primary duty of law enforcement is to protect lives,” Johnson said.

Senator Van Wanggaard proposes an independent board to investigate deadly police shootings. The Racine Republicans says that could reassure communities. “That we have someone actually going and asking what’s happening, how can we fix it so it doesn’t happen again?”

Both lawmakers were on WISN’s Up Front Sunday morning.

‘It doesn’t have to be brutality to feel abusive’ – cops meet people at Marshfield rally (AUDIO)

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WDLB photo

Reactions to the killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police continue to spread across Wisconsin. Marshfield police officers met with people at a downtown cookout and rally Thursday, including Police Chief Rick Gramza.

“We solve problems better together than apart. The goal was just to have some tough conversations, be vulnerable. And we weren’t here as much to talk as we are to listen and learn.”

LISTEN RickGramza :40

Echo Means of Marshfield shared some of her concerns and past experiences with law enforcement in the city, after moving there from Milwaukee

“It doesn’t have to be brutality to feel abusive. Probably the first five years we lived up here was very abusive.”

LISTEN Echo Means :54

Local businesses donated food to feed the rally. Several hundred people attended, many carrying signs in support for George Floyd. Local businesses donated food to feed the rally.

WDLB

Bummerfest: pandemic causes cancellation of Milwaukee’s music festival

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Milwaukee’s Summerfest is canceled this year. The board of directors made the decision to cancel at its regular meeting Thursday morning.

The COVID-19 pandemic makes large gatherings risky.

Milwaukee’s sprawling lakefront music festival had already been postponed from June to September. People who’d bought tickets through Summerfest.com or Ticketmaster can get refunds.

Cross asks for special session to address UW System funding

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University of Wisconsin System President Ray Cross is requesting a special legislative session to address financial troubles caused by COVID-19.  Cross is asking Governor Tony Evers and legislative leaders for authority to borrow money to offset losses and change the start date for the 2020-2021 school year.

In a letter to the governor, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, Cross noted U-W campuses have already furloughed and laid off employees. He also said “we face significant financial and operational challenges that are made much worse by the ever-changing nature of the pandemic.”