WEAC Speechless Over Virtual School Verdict

When was the last time the teachers' union leadership was speechless?

Heh.

Ruling supports virtual schools
Teachers union loses in Ozaukee court
A judge has handed a victory to virtual schools and the parents who use them to school their children at home - and a defeat to the state's largest teachers union.

DPI was originally a defendant in the case, but (not surprisingly) took the union's side in the dispute shortly after WEAC filed their complaint.

Paul Barnett, a state attorney representing the department, said state education officials have not yet decided whether to appeal McCormack's ruling. Lucy Brown, an attorney for WEAC, did not return calls seeking comment Friday.

Northern Ozaukee's K-8 virtual academy was launched in 2003, a year after the Appleton Connections Academy opened. The virtual academy's students and staff are spread throughout the state, logging on to school-provided computers to attend or teach classes.

In his ruling, McCormack said the school's partnership of parents and teachers falls within the broad authority of the School Board to determine what's best for its students. Also, he ruled, state laws don't require teachers to spend a certain amount of time in the same room with students.

On the other issues, McCormack affirmed that the virtual academy was located, for legal purposes, at School District headquarters. WEAC had argued that the school was located where its students are - online. McCormack said that was "patently absurd."

He also ruled that the open enrollment program does not prohibit students from using the Internet to receive a public education. As evidence, he cited the Assembly's failure to pass a 2001 bill that would have banned students from using the program to sign up for virtual schools.

Alyson Zierdt, an attorney who represents the district, said the judge's findings closely track the district's arguments.

"I think he did a nice job of recognizing that the parents here and the teachers have distinct but complementary roles," Zierdt said. "They're really both contributing in different ways to the education of the students."

WEAC and the department have 90 days to file an appeal. But McCormack's ruling would put the district at an advantage in any appeal, Zierdt said.

"It's a very good start," she said.

"It will give the Court of Appeals and perhaps the Supreme Court something to work with."

A very good start, indeed.

A victory for advocates of educational options for families. A victory for local school boards who wish to control their own districts. Finally, a victory for everyone who enjoys seing WEAC spanked in court.