WEAC DEALT HUGE BLOW

WEAC loses.
School stays open.
The Coalition members are happy today.
They're clients, and I am happy for them as well.

WEAC Fails in Attempt to Close Virtual School

Teacher’s Union Had Sued to Close Northern Ozaukee School

[Madison, Wisc…] The Wisconsin Coalition of Virtual School Families is applauding a judge’s decision to thwart the state teacher’s union’s attempt to close one of Wisconsin’s pioneering on line public virtual schools.

“WEAC tried to close down a public school and the judge said ‘No Way!’” said Rose Fernandez, President of the Wisconsin Coalition of Virtual School Families. “This is a tremendous victory, not only for the Coalition and families who use public virtual schools, but for all families in Wisconsin who want to make sure they have a variety of educational opportunities from which to choose.”

In January of 2004, the Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC) filed a complaint in Ozaukee County Circuit Court against the Wisconsin Virtual Academy (WIVA), the Northern Ozaukee School District, and the State Department of Public Instruction (DPI) in an effort to shut down the school. They argued that parental participation was too significant. DPI, although it originally had approved the charter school, took the union's side in the dispute in December.

Today, Judge Joseph McCormack issued a summary judgment in favor of the school district and rejected WEAC and DPI’s motions.

WIVA is a public charter school, part of the Northern Ozaukee School District. Students enrolled in WIVA live in communities throughout Wisconsin and learn at home via the Internet with the help of their parents. Certified teachers provide instruction, monitor student progress and oversee the learning process.

The Coalition was first formed in response to the lawsuit and had warned that an adverse ruling in the WIVA case could have severe ramifications for virtual schools and distance learning programs across Wisconsin.

The complaint by WEAC officially questioned the "moral character" of parents who participate in public education, a legal maneuver that threatens the right of every parent in Wisconsin who seeks to participate in their child's education. The Coalition filed an Amicus brief in the matter last year.

“We will continue to be advocates for online public education,” said Fernandez. “For example, we’re hopeful the Governor will sign a just-passed virtual school bill, AB1060, and we’ll continue to be involved in this particular court case, should WEAC or DPI appeal.”

The Coalition consists of hundreds of parents, students, teachers and supporters concerned about the educational opportunities available to Wisconsin families. Wisconsin has nearly a dozen virtual schools, including: Appleton eSchool, Northeast Wisconsin Online Charter School, Grantsburg Virtual School, iQ Academies, Kiel eSchool, Monroe Virtual School, Wisconsin Connections Academy, WIVA, and the Wisconsin Virtual School. Thousands of students from all over the state attend these schools and many other public schools that use on-line instruction.