Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations
Chapter 120 - School district government.
120.13 - School board powers.

120.13 School board powers. The school board of a common or union high school district may do all things reasonable to promote the cause of education, including establishing, providing and improving school district programs, functions and activities for the benefit of pupils, and including all of the following:
(1) School government rules; suspension; expulsion.
(a) Make rules for the organization, gradation and government of the schools of the school district, including rules pertaining to conduct and dress of pupils in order to maintain good decorum and a favorable academic atmosphere, which shall take effect when approved by a majority of the school board and filed with the school district clerk. Subject to 20 USC 1415 (k), the school board shall adopt a code to govern pupils' classroom conduct beginning in the 1999-2000 school year. The code shall be developed in consultation with a committee of school district residents that consists of parents, pupils, members of the school board, school administrators, teachers, pupil services professionals and other residents of the school district who are appointed to the committee by the school board. The code of classroom conduct may provide different standards of conduct for different schools and may provide additional placement options under s. 118.164 (3). The code shall include all of the following:
1. A specification of what constitutes dangerous, disruptive or unruly behavior or behavior that interferes with the ability of the teacher to teach effectively under s. 118.164 (2).
2. Any grounds in addition to those under subd. 1. for the removal of a pupil from the class under s. 118.164 (2).
3. The procedures for determining the appropriate educational placement of a pupil who has been removed from the class and assigned a placement by the school principal or his or her designee under s. 118.164.
4. A procedure for notifying the parent or guardian of a minor pupil who has been removed from the class under s. 118.164 (2).
(b)
1. In addition to rule-making authority granted school boards under par. (a), the school district administrator, or any principal or teacher designated by the school district administrator, may make rules with the consent of the school board.
2. The school district administrator or any principal or teacher designated by the school district administrator may suspend a pupil for not more than 5 school days or, if a notice of expulsion hearing has been sent under par. (c) 4. or (e) 4. or s. 119.25 (2) (c), for not more than a total of 15 consecutive school days for any of the following reasons:
a. Noncompliance with rules adopted under subd. 1. or school board rules.
b. Knowingly conveying any threat or false information concerning an attempt or alleged attempt being made or to be made to destroy any school property by means of explosives.
c. Conduct by the pupil while at school or while under the supervision of a school authority that endangers the property, health or safety of others.
d. Conduct while not at school or while not under the supervision of a school authority that endangers the property, health or safety of others at school or under the supervision of a school authority or endangers the property, health or safety of any employee or school board member of the school district in which the pupil is enrolled.
2m. In subd. 2. c. and d., conduct that endangers a person or property includes making a threat to the health or safety of a person or making a threat to damage property.
3. Prior to any suspension, the pupil shall be advised of the reason for the proposed suspension. The pupil may be suspended if it is determined that the pupil is guilty of noncompliance with a school board rule or a rule adopted under subd. 1., or of the conduct charged, and that the pupil's suspension is reasonably justified. The parent or guardian of a suspended minor pupil shall be given prompt notice of the suspension and the reason for the suspension.
4. The suspended pupil or the pupil's parent or guardian may, within 5 school days following the commencement of the suspension, have a conference with the school district administrator or his or her designee who shall be someone other than a principal, administrator or teacher in the suspended pupil's school. If the school district administrator or his or her designee finds that the pupil was suspended unfairly or unjustly, or that the suspension was inappropriate, given the nature of the alleged offense, or that the pupil suffered undue consequences or penalties as a result of the suspension, reference to the suspension on the pupil's school record shall be expunged. The administrator, or the administrator's designee, shall make a finding within 15 days of the conference.
5. A pupil suspended under this paragraph shall not be denied the opportunity to take any quarterly, semester or grading period examinations or to complete course work missed during the suspension period, as provided in the attendance policy established under s. 118.16 (4) (a).
(bm) The school district administrator or any principal or teacher designated by the school district administrator shall suspend a pupil under par. (b) if the school district administrator, principal or teacher determines that the pupil, while at school or while under the supervision of a school authority, possessed a firearm, as defined in 18 USC 921 (a) (3). This paragraph does not apply to the possession of a firearm while legally hunting in a school forest if allowed under sub. (38).
(c)
1. The school board may expel a pupil from school whenever it finds the pupil guilty of repeated refusal or neglect to obey the rules, or finds that a pupil knowingly conveyed or caused to be conveyed any threat or false information concerning an attempt or alleged attempt being made or to be made to destroy any school property by means of explosives, or finds that the pupil engaged in conduct while at school or while under the supervision of a school authority which endangered the property, health or safety of others, or finds that a pupil while not at school or while not under the supervision of a school authority engaged in conduct which endangered the property, health or safety of others at school or under the supervision of a school authority or endangered the property, health or safety of any employee or school board member of the school district in which the pupil is enrolled, and is satisfied that the interest of the school demands the pupil's expulsion. In this subdivision, conduct that endangers a person or property includes making a threat to the health or safety of a person or making a threat to damage property.
2. In addition to the grounds for expulsion under subd. 1., the school board may expel from school a pupil who is at least 16 years old if the school board finds that the pupil repeatedly engaged in conduct while at school or while under the supervision of a school authority that disrupted the ability of school authorities to maintain order or an educational atmosphere at school or at an activity supervised by a school authority and that such conduct does not constitute grounds for expulsion under subd. 1., and is satisfied that the interest of the school demands the pupil's expulsion.
2m. The school board shall commence proceedings under subd. 3. and expel a pupil from school for not less than one year whenever it finds that the pupil, while at school or while under the supervision of a school authority, possessed a firearm, as defined in 18 USC 921 (a) (3). Annually, the school board shall report to the department the information specified under 20 USC 8921 (d) (1) and (2). This subdivision does not apply to the possession of a firearm while legally hunting in a school forest if allowed under sub. (38).
3. Prior to expelling a pupil, the school board shall hold a hearing. Upon request of the pupil and, if the pupil is a minor, the pupil's parent or guardian, the hearing shall be closed. The pupil and, if the pupil is a minor, the pupil's parent or guardian may be represented at the hearing by counsel. The school board shall keep written minutes of the hearing. Upon the ordering by the school board of the expulsion of a pupil, the school district clerk shall mail a copy of the order to the pupil and, if the pupil is a minor, to the pupil's parent or guardian. The expelled pupil or, if the pupil is a minor, the pupil's parent or guardian may appeal the expulsion to the state superintendent. If the school board's decision is appealed to the state superintendent, within 60 days after the date on which the state superintendent receives the appeal, the state superintendent shall review the decision and shall, upon review, approve, reverse or modify the decision. The decision of the school board shall be enforced while the state superintendent reviews the decision. An appeal from the decision of the state superintendent may be taken within 30 days to the circuit court of the county in which the school is located.
4. Not less than 5 days' written notice of the hearing under subd. 3. shall be sent to the pupil and, if the pupil is a minor, to the pupil's parent or guardian. The notice shall state all of the following:
a. The specific grounds, under subd. 1., 2. or 2m., and the particulars of the pupil's alleged conduct upon which the expulsion proceeding is based.
b. The time and place of the hearing.
c. That the hearing may result in the pupil's expulsion.
d. That, upon request of the pupil and, if the pupil is a minor, the pupil's parent or guardian, the hearing shall be closed.
e. That the pupil and, if the pupil is a minor, the pupil's parent or guardian may be represented at the hearing by counsel.
f. That the school board shall keep written minutes of the hearing.
g. That if the school board orders the expulsion of the pupil the school district clerk shall mail a copy of the order to the pupil and, if the pupil is a minor, to the pupil's parent or guardian.
h. That if the pupil is expelled by the school board the expelled pupil or, if the pupil is a minor, the pupil's parent or guardian may appeal the school board's decision to the department.
i. That if the school board's decision is appealed to the department, within 60 days after the date on which the department receives the appeal, the department shall review the decision and shall, upon review, approve, reverse or modify the decision.
j. That the decision of the school board shall be enforced while the department reviews the school board's decision.
k. That an appeal from the decision of the department may be taken within 30 days to the circuit court for the county in which the school is located.
L. That the state statutes related to pupil expulsion are ss. 119.25 and 120.13 (1).
(d) No pupil enrolled in a school district operating under ch. 119 may be suspended or expelled from school for truancy.
(e)
1. The school board may adopt a resolution, which is effective only during the school year in which it is adopted, authorizing any of the following to determine pupil expulsion from school under subd. 2. instead of using the procedure under par. (c) 3.:
a. An independent hearing panel appointed by the school board.
b. An independent hearing officer appointed by the school board.
2. During any school year in which a resolution adopted under subd. 1. is effective, the independent hearing officer or independent hearing panel appointed by the school board:
a. May expel a pupil from school whenever the hearing officer or panel finds that the pupil engaged in conduct that constitutes grounds for expulsion under par. (c) 1. or 2.
b. Shall commence proceedings under subd. 3. and expel a pupil from school for not less than one year whenever that hearing officer or panel finds that the pupil engaged in conduct that constitutes grounds for expulsion under par. (c) 2m.
3. Prior to expelling a pupil, the hearing officer or panel shall hold a hearing. Upon request of the pupil and, if the pupil is a minor, the pupil's parent or guardian, the hearing shall be closed. The pupil and, if the pupil is a minor, the pupil's parent or guardian, may be represented at the hearing by counsel. The hearing officer or panel shall keep a full record of the hearing. The hearing officer or panel shall inform each party of the right to a complete record of the proceeding. Upon request, the hearing officer or panel shall direct that a transcript of the record be prepared and that a copy of the transcript be given to the pupil and, if the pupil is a minor, the pupil's parent or guardian. Upon the ordering by the hearing officer or panel of the expulsion of a pupil, the school district shall mail a copy of the order to the school board, the pupil and, if the pupil is a minor, the pupil's parent or guardian. Within 30 days after the date on which the order is issued, the school board shall review the expulsion order and shall, upon review, approve, reverse or modify the order. The order of the hearing officer or panel shall be enforced while the school board reviews the order. The expelled pupil or, if the pupil is a minor, the pupil's parent or guardian may appeal the school board's decision to the state superintendent. If the school board's decision is appealed to the state superintendent, within 60 days after the date on which the state superintendent receives the appeal, the state superintendent shall review the decision and shall, upon review, approve, reverse or modify the decision. The decision of the school board shall be enforced while the state superintendent reviews the decision. An appeal from the decision of the state superintendent may be taken within 30 days to the circuit court of the county in which the school is located. This paragraph does not apply to a school district operating under ch. 119.
4. Not less than 5 days' written notice of the hearing under subd. 3. shall be sent to the pupil and, if the pupil is a minor, to the pupil's parent or guardian. The notice shall state all of the following:
a. The specific grounds, under par. (c) 1., 2. or 2m., and the particulars of the pupil's alleged conduct upon which the expulsion proceeding is based.
b. The time and place of the hearing.
c. That the hearing may result in the pupil's expulsion.
d. That, upon request of the pupil and, if the pupil is a minor, the pupil's parent or guardian, the hearing shall be closed.
e. That the pupil and, if the pupil is a minor, the pupil's parent or guardian may be represented at the hearing by counsel.
f. That the hearing officer or panel shall keep a full record of the hearing and, upon request, the hearing officer or panel shall direct that a transcript of the record be prepared and that a copy of the transcript be given to the pupil and, if the pupil is a minor, the pupil's parent or guardian.
g. That if the hearing officer or panel orders the expulsion of the pupil the school district shall mail a copy of the order to the school board, the pupil and, if the pupil is a minor, to the pupil's parent or guardian.
h. That within 30 days of the issuance of an expulsion order the school board shall review the order and shall, upon review, approve, reverse or modify the order.
i. That, if the pupil is expelled by the hearing officer or panel, the order of the hearing officer or panel shall be enforced while the school board reviews the order.
j. That, if the pupil's expulsion is approved by the school board, the expelled pupil or, if the pupil is a minor, the pupil's parent or guardian may appeal the school board's decision to the department.
k. That if the school board's decision is appealed to the department, within 60 days after the date on which the department receives the appeal, the department shall review the decision and shall, upon review, approve, reverse or modify the decision.
L. That the decision of the school board shall be enforced while the department reviews the school board's decision.
m. That an appeal from the decision of the department may be taken within 30 days to the circuit court for the county in which the school is located.
n. That the state statutes related to pupil expulsion are ss. 119.25 and 120.13 (1).
(f)
1. No school board is required to enroll a pupil during the term of his or her expulsion from another school district. Notwithstanding s. 118.125 (2) and (4), if a pupil who has been expelled from one school district seeks to enroll in another school district during the term of his or her expulsion, upon request the school board of the former school district shall provide the school board of the latter school district with a copy of the expulsion findings and order, a written explanation of the reasons why the pupil was expelled and the length of the term of the expulsion.
2. No school board is required to enroll a pupil during the term of his or her expulsion from a public school in another state if the school board determines the conduct giving rise to the pupil's expulsion would have been grounds for expulsion under par. (c) 1., 2., or 2m.
3. No school board is required to enroll a pupil during the term of his or her expulsion from a charter school established under s. 118.40 (2r) or (2x) if the school board determines the conduct giving rise to the pupil's expulsion would have been grounds for expulsion under par. (c) 1., 2., or 2m. If a pupil who has been expelled from a charter school established under s. 118.40 (2r) or (2x) seeks to enroll in a school district during the term of his or her expulsion, upon request of the pupil or, if the pupil is a minor, the pupil's parent or guardian, the governing body of the charter school shall provide the school board of the school district with a copy of the expulsion findings and order, a written explanation of the reasons why the pupil was expelled, and the term of the expulsion.
(g) The school board may modify the requirement under pars. (c) 2m. and (e) 2. b. on a case-by-case basis.
(h)
1. In this paragraph:
ag. “Conditional enrollment" means enrollment of an expelled pupil in a school district other than the school district or out-of-state public school that expelled the pupil before the expiration of the term of expulsion specified in the pupil's expulsion order issued under par. (c) 3. or (e) 3. or by the out-of-state public school.
am. “Early reinstatement" means the reinstatement to school of an expelled pupil before the expiration of the term of expulsion specified in the pupil's expulsion order under par. (c) 3. or (e) 3.
b. “Early reinstatement condition" means a condition that a pupil is required to meet before he or she may be granted early reinstatement or a condition that a pupil is required to meet after his or her early reinstatement but before the expiration of the term of expulsion specified in the pupil's expulsion order under par. (c) 3. or (e) 3.
c. “Enrollment condition" means a condition that a pupil is required to meet before he or she may be granted conditional enrollment or a condition that a pupil is required to meet after his or her conditional enrollment but before the expiration of the term of expulsion specified in the pupil's expulsion order issued under par. (c) 3. or (e) 3. or by the out-of-state public school.
2. A school board, or an independent hearing panel or independent hearing officer acting under par. (e), may specify one or more early reinstatement conditions in the expulsion order under par. (c) 3. or (e) 3. if the early reinstatement conditions are related to the reasons for the pupil's expulsion. Within 15 days after the date on which an expulsion order is issued by an independent hearing panel or independent hearing officer, the expelled pupil or, if the pupil is a minor, the pupil's parent or guardian may appeal the determination regarding whether an early reinstatement condition specified in the expulsion order is related to the reasons for the pupil's expulsion to the school board. The decision of a school board regarding that determination is final and not subject to appeal.
2m. A school board other than the school board or out-of-state public school that expelled a pupil may specify in a written order one or more enrollment conditions instead of or in addition to the early reinstatement conditions, if any, imposed under subd. 2. by the school board, or independent hearing panel or independent hearing officer acting under par. (e), that expelled the pupil or instead of or in addition to any conditions imposed, if any, by the out-of-state public school that expelled the pupil. Any enrollment conditions established under this subdivision shall relate to the reasons for the pupil's expulsion and may not extend the term of expulsion specified in the expulsion order issued under par. (c) 3. or (e) 3. or by the out-of-state public school. The school district clerk of the school district other than the school district from which the pupil was expelled shall mail 2 copies of the order to the pupil or, if the pupil is a minor, to the pupil's parent or guardian. The expelled pupil or, if the pupil is a minor, the pupil's parent or guardian shall sign and return one copy of the order to the school board other than the school board that expelled the pupil. Within 15 days after the date on which the order under this subdivision is issued, the expelled pupil or, if the pupil is a minor, the pupil's parent or guardian may appeal the determination regarding whether an enrollment condition specified in the order is related to the reasons for the pupil's expulsion to the school board that specified the enrollment condition. The decision of the school board under this subdivision regarding that determination is final and not subject to appeal.
3. If the school district administrator or his or her designee, who shall be someone other than a principal, administrator or teacher in the pupil's school, determines that a pupil has met the early reinstatement conditions that he or she is required to meet before he or she may be granted early reinstatement, the school district administrator or designee may grant the pupil early reinstatement. The determination of the school district administrator or designee is final.
3m. If the school district administrator, or his or her designee, of a school district other than the school district or out-of-state public school from which a pupil was expelled determines that the pupil has met the enrollment conditions established in a written order under subd. 2m., the school district administrator or designee may grant the pupil conditional enrollment in a school in the school district. The determination of the school district administrator or designee under this subdivision is final.
4. If a pupil granted early reinstatement under subd. 3. violates an early reinstatement condition that the pupil was required to meet after his or her early reinstatement but before the expiration of the term of expulsion, the school district administrator or a principal or teacher designated by the school district administrator may revoke the pupil's early reinstatement. Before revoking the pupil's early reinstatement, the school district administrator or his or her designee shall advise the pupil of the reason for the proposed revocation, including the early reinstatement condition alleged to have been violated, provide the pupil an opportunity to present his or her explanation of the alleged violation, and make a determination that the pupil violated the early reinstatement condition and that revocation of the pupil's early reinstatement is appropriate. If the school district administrator or designee revokes the pupil's early reinstatement, the school district administrator or designee shall give prompt written notice of the revocation and the reason for the revocation, including the early reinstatement condition violated, to the pupil and, if the pupil is a minor, to the pupil's parent or guardian.
4m. If a pupil granted conditional enrollment under subd. 3m. violates an enrollment condition that the pupil was required to meet after his or her conditional enrollment but before the expiration of the term of expulsion, the school district administrator of the school district in which the pupil is enrolled, or a principal or teacher designated by the school district administrator, may revoke the pupil's conditional enrollment. Before revoking the pupil's conditional enrollment, the school district administrator or his or her designee shall advise the pupil of the reason for the proposed revocation, including the enrollment condition alleged to have been violated, provide the pupil an opportunity to present his or her explanation of the alleged violation, and make a determination that the pupil violated the enrollment condition and that revocation of the pupil's conditional enrollment is appropriate. If the school district administrator or designee revokes the pupil's conditional enrollment, the school district administrator or designee shall give prompt written notice of the revocation and the reason for the revocation, including the enrollment condition violated, to the pupil and, if the pupil is a minor, to the pupil's parent or guardian.
5. Except as provided in subd. 6., if a pupil's early reinstatement is revoked under subd. 4., the pupil's expulsion shall continue to the expiration of the term of the expulsion specified in the expulsion order unless the pupil or, if the pupil is a minor, the pupil's parent or guardian and the school board, independent hearing panel or independent hearing officer agree, in writing, to modify the expulsion order.
5m. Except as provided in subd. 6m., if a pupil's conditional enrollment is revoked under subd. 4m., the pupil's expulsion shall continue to the expiration of the term of the expulsion specified in the expulsion order unless the pupil or, if the pupil is a minor, the pupil's parent or guardian and the school board that expelled the pupil, or the independent hearing panel or independent hearing officer, or the out-of-state public school, agree, in writing, to modify the expulsion order.
6. Within 5 school days after the revocation of a pupil's early reinstatement under subd. 4., the pupil or, if the pupil is a minor, the pupil's parent or guardian may request a conference with the school district administrator or his or her designee, who shall be someone other than a principal, administrator or teacher in the pupil's school. If a conference is requested, it shall be held within 5 school days following the request. If, after the conference, the school district administrator or his or her designee finds that the pupil did not violate an early reinstatement condition or that the revocation was inappropriate, the pupil shall be reinstated to school under the same reinstatement conditions as in the expulsion order and the early reinstatement revocation shall be expunged from the pupil's record. If the school district administrator or his or her designee finds that the pupil violated an early reinstatement condition and that the revocation was appropriate, he or she shall mail separate copies of the decision to the pupil and, if the pupil is a minor, to the pupil's parent or guardian. The decision of the school district administrator or his or her designee is final.
6m. Within 5 school days after the revocation of a pupil's conditional enrollment under subd. 4m., the pupil or, if the pupil is a minor, the pupil's parent or guardian may request a conference with the administrator of the school district in which the pupil is enrolled, or his or her designee, who shall be someone other than a principal, administrator, or teacher in the pupil's school. If a conference is requested, it shall be held within 5 school days following the request. If, after the conference, the school district administrator or his or her designee finds that the pupil did not violate an enrollment condition or that the revocation was inappropriate, the pupil shall be enrolled in school under the same enrollment conditions as in the order issued under subd. 2m. and the conditional enrollment revocation shall be expunged from the pupil's record. If the school district administrator or his or her designee finds that the pupil violated an enrollment condition and that the revocation was appropriate, he or she shall mail separate copies of the decision to the pupil and, if the pupil is a minor, to the pupil's parent or guardian. The decision of the school district administrator or his or her designee is final.
(2) Insurance.
(a) Provide for accident insurance covering pupils in the school district. Such insurance shall not be paid from school district funds unless the expenditure is authorized by an annual meeting.
(b) Provide health care benefits on a self-insured basis to the employees of the school district if the school district has at least 100 employees. In addition, a school district may jointly provide health care benefits on a self-insured basis under s. 66.0137 (4m).
(c) Any self-insurance plan under par. (b) or s. 66.0137 (4m) that covers less than 1,000 employees shall include excess or stop-loss reinsurance obtained through an insurer authorized to do business in this state, for the purpose of covering all eligible claims incurred during the term of the policy or contract.
(d) The commissioner of insurance may prescribe detailed requirements for reinsurance under par. (c) by rule or by order. The commissioner of insurance may promulgate rules governing self-insurance plans under pars. (b) to (g) to ensure that they comply with all applicable provisions of chs. 600 to 647.
(e) All personally identifiable medical and claims records relating to any self-insurance plan under par. (b) or s. 66.0137 (4m) shall be kept confidential by the administrator of the self-insurance plan and shall be exempt from disclosure pursuant to s. 19.36 (1). This paragraph does not prohibit the release of personally identifiable records to school district personnel, to the extent that performance of their duties requires access to the records, but only with the prior written informed consent of the insured.
(g) Every self-insured plan under par. (b) shall comply with ss. 49.493 (3) (d), 631.89, 631.90, 631.93 (2), 632.729, 632.746 (10) (a) 2. and (b) 2., 632.747 (3), 632.798, 632.85, 632.853, 632.855, 632.861, 632.867, 632.87 (4) to (6), 632.885, 632.89, 632.895 (9) to (17), 632.896, and 767.513 (4).
(3) Agreements with governmental units. Enter into agreements, including leases for a term not exceeding 50 years, with a school board, technical college district board, city, village, town, county or the state or any department or agency thereof for the purchase, operation and maintenance of land, buildings and equipment for educational purposes, including, without limitation because of enumeration, contracts for the construction or repair of school driveways, roadways and parking areas or for the operation of any school program authorized by law.
(4) On-farm training to veterans. Provide institutional on-farm training to veterans who are eligible for the training under any act of congress.
(5) Books, material and equipment. Purchase or otherwise acquire necessary books and stationery, equipment, school apparatus and materials for the use of the schools of the school district and purchase any school books which in its judgment are needed by pupils whose parents are not able to furnish such books.
(6) Federal aid. Apply for, receive and expend moneys made available to it by any act of congress for educational programs, school property and facilities, research, school food service and other school district programs.
(7) Exchange teachers and administrators. Exchange any teacher or administrator employed by the school board for a teacher or administrator employed by a school board in another state or country or employed by a college or university, the state, a technical college district board or a cooperative educational service agency. No exchange may be for a longer period than one year. A teacher or administrator of this state exchanged under this subsection shall be deemed to have taught during the period in the school district by which the teacher or administrator is employed and shall be assessed, for the benefit of the public employee trust fund, the full amount which would have been assessed against the teacher or administrator had the teacher or administrator actually taught in the school district.
(8) Funds for rewards. Establish a reward, not exceeding $500, for information leading to the arrest and conviction of persons who damage or destroy school property or who injure any person while at school or under the supervision of a school authority.
(9) Architects and engineers. Contract with or employ architects and engineers for the preparation of plans and specifications for school buildings, structures and other improvements to school district property and for all other related services.
(9m) Legal services. Retain an attorney or attorneys to represent the board or school district in any action or proceeding brought for or against the board or district and provide for any other legal service for the welfare of the school district.
(10) School food service. Furnish school meals to pupils and pay for the meals out of school district funds. The school board may charge pupils and employees for the cost of school meals.
(11) Nurses and dentists. Employ qualified public health nurses, school nurses, registered nurses and licensed dentists who shall cooperate with the local board of health, as defined in s. 250.01 (3), and the department of health services.
(12) Historical records. Under s. 44.09 (1), transfer title to any school records to the state historical society which are no longer needed for the proper administration of the school district and which the society determines are of permanent historical interest.
(13) Prekindergarten classes. Establish and maintain classes for children less than 4 years of age under such regulations as it prescribes. The school board may accept and receive federal funds for such purpose and expend such funds in conformity with the purposes and requirements thereof. The school board may charge a reasonable fee for attendance at such classes but may waive the fee or any portion thereof to any person who is unable to make payment.
(14) Child care programs.
(a) Establish and provide or contract for the provision of child care programs for children. The school board may receive federal or state funds for this purpose. The school board may charge a fee for all or part of the cost of the service for participation in a child care program established under this subsection. Costs associated with a child care program under this subsection may not be included in shared costs under s. 121.07 (6). Child care programs established under this subsection shall meet the standards for licensed child care centers established by the department of children and families. Pursuant to ss. 48.66 (1) (a), 48.73, and 48.74, the department of children and families may visit and inspect the premises of, inspect the records of, and investigate and prosecute any alleged violations occurring at any child care program established or contracted for under this subsection that receives payment under s. 49.155 for the child care provided. If a school board proposes to contract for the provision of a child care program under this subsection or if on July 1, 1996, a school board is a party to a contract for the provision of a child care program under this subsection, the school board shall refer the proposed contractor to the department of children and families for the criminal history and child abuse record search required under s. 48.686.
(b)
1. If a person subject to a background check under s. 48.686 (2) who operates, works at, or resides at a child care program contracted for under par. (a), is convicted or adjudicated delinquent for committing a serious crime, as defined under s. 48.686 (1) (c), the school board shall rescind the contract for the child care program immediately upon providing written notice of the rescission and the grounds for the rescission and an explanation of the process for appealing the rescission.
2. If a person subject to a background check under s. 48.686 (2) who operates, works at, or resides at a child care program contracted for under par. (a) is the subject of a pending criminal charge or delinquency petition alleging that the person has committed a serious crime, as defined in s. 48.686 (1) (c), the school board shall immediately suspend the contract for the child care program until the school board obtains information regarding the final disposition of the charge or delinquency petition indicating that the person is not ineligible to operate, work at, or reside at a child care program under this subsection.
(15) Special high school courses. In a union high school district or a common school district operating elementary and high school grades, establish and maintain courses in industrial arts, home economics, agriculture, commercial subjects and such other courses as the school board determines.
(16) School board organization; fee. Pay the membership fee in an organization of school boards in this state and the actual and necessary expenses of its representatives incurred in attending meetings of such organization.
(17) Temporary use of school property. Grant the temporary use of school grounds, buildings, facilities, or equipment, upon such conditions, including fees not to exceed actual costs, as determined by the school board, to any responsible person for any lawful nonschool purpose if such use does not interfere with use for school purposes or school-related functions. For purposes of s. 895.523, “actual costs" means reasonable costs for maintenance, security, supervision of participants who are minors, if applicable, and cleaning. Fees received under this subsection shall be paid into the school district treasury and accounted for as prescribed under s. 115.28 (13). The user shall be primarily liable, and, except as provided in s. 895.523, the school board secondarily liable, for any damage to property and for any expense incurred in consequence of any use of school grounds, buildings, facilities, or equipment under this subsection.
(18) Property for ecological, agricultural or vocational instruction. Subject to the authority of the annual or special meeting to approve the acquisition of real property, acquire real or personal property for ecological, agricultural or vocational instruction, experimentation or other school-related purposes.
(18m) Renewable resource facilities. Construct or acquire, borrow funds to construct or acquire, own, operate, and maintain a renewable resource facility, and use the energy generated by the facility for school district facilities or sell the energy generated by the facility at wholesale, if the school board's share of the installed capacity of the facility does not exceed 5 megawatts and the school board incorporates information about the facility in its curriculum. In this subsection, “renewable resource" has the meaning given in s. 196.374 (1) (j).
(19) Community programs and services. Establish and maintain community education, training, recreational, cultural or athletic programs and services, outside the regular curricular and extracurricular programs for pupils, under such terms and conditions as the school board prescribes. The school board may establish and collect fees to cover all or part of the costs of such programs and services. The school board may not expend moneys on ineligible costs, as defined by the department by rule. Costs associated with such programs and services shall not be included in the school district's shared cost under s. 121.07 (6).
(19m) Sale of property. Sell any property belonging to and not needed by the school district. If a school site or other lands are to be abandoned which were acquired or are held upon condition that they revert to the prior owner when no longer used for school purposes, the school board shall sell any school buildings thereon or move them to another site within 8 months after the school buildings cease to be used for school purposes or the site ceases to be maintained as a school district playground or park.
(20) Options to purchase real property. Solicit and obtain one or more options to purchase real property and, upon approval of the annual or special meeting, exercise such option.
(21) Lectures. Provide free lectures on educational subjects in school buildings, public library buildings or other suitable places, and provide for the further education of the adult residents of the school district. The school board may purchase books, stationery, charts and other things necessary to conduct such lectures and may designate a person to manage such lectures.
(22) Cable television and data processing services. Enter into leases for a term not exceeding 20 years for acquisition of cable television or data processing services and facilities for educational purposes.
(23) Bonds for officers and employees. Require an officer or employee of the board to give security in such form and amount as the board determines, and may require at any time additional bonds and sureties of any officer or employee.
(24) Contracts with other governmental units. Participate and enter into contracts with school boards and other governmental units as provided under s. 120.25.
(25) Lease school property. In addition to any other authority, lease school sites, buildings, and equipment not needed for school purposes to any person for any lawful use at a reasonable rental if approved at an annual or special school district meeting.
(26) Contracts with private education services. Upon the approval of the state superintendent, contract with private education services for pupils who need concurrent education and treatment services, the educational portion of which is not available in the schools in which the pupils are enrolled. Private education services provided under this subsection may not include religious or sectarian teachings or instruction.
(26m) Contracts with county children with disabilities education boards. Contract with a county children with disabilities education board for special education services. The costs of such services shall be included in the school district's shared cost under s. 121.07 (6). This subsection applies beginning on the effective date of a resolution adopted under s. 115.817 (9) (c).
(26r) Contracts for mental health and developmental disabilities services. Contract with the department of health services for services under s. 46.043.
(27) Transportation of persons who are not pupils.
(a) Subject to par. (b), the school board may use or allow the use of school buses owned and operated by the school district to transport persons who are not pupils of the school district. School buses may be used by persons who are not pupils of the school district during school hours if such use does not interfere with the transportation of pupils of the school district. The school board shall charge a fee for use of the school buses under this subsection. The fee shall be an amount equal to the actual cost of transportation under this subsection, including but not limited to costs for depreciation, maintenance, insurance, fuel and compensation of vehicle operators. If the school board denies a written request for use of the school buses, the school board shall provide the requester a written statement of the basis for the denial within 14 days after the denial.
(b) No school bus may be used to provide transportation under this subsection unless the vehicle is insured by a policy providing property damage coverage and bodily injury liability coverage for such transportation in the amounts specified in s. 121.53 (1).
(27m) Transportation of indigent pupils. Provide transportation to and from school for indigent pupils who reside in the school district and who are not required to be transported under s. 121.54. In this subsection, “indigent pupils" means pupils who satisfy the income eligibility criteria for free lunches or reduced-price lunches under 42 USC 1758 (b) (1) or who are members of a Wisconsin works group, as defined in s. 49.141 (1) (s), with a member who is participating in Wisconsin works under s. 49.147 (3) to (5) or any combination thereof, as determined by the school board. If a school board determines to provide transportation under this subsection, there shall be reasonable uniformity in the transportation furnished such pupils whether they attend public or private schools. The cost of transporting pupils under this subsection may not be included in the school district's shared cost under s. 121.07 (6) (a).
(28) Records custodian. On behalf of any school district authority as defined in s. 19.32 (1), including the school board, school district officers and any subunit of the school board or school district, designate one or more persons to be legal custodians of records.
(29) Borrowing. Borrow money and issue municipal obligations, as provided in chs. 24 and 67.
(30) Hunter education programs. May award 0.5 high school credit to a pupil who successfully completes while in the high school grades a course of instruction under the hunter education program or bow hunter education program under s. 29.591 or the trapper education program under s. 29.597. A school board may award credit to a pupil under this subsection for completion of only one program.
(31) School crossing guards. Upon the adoption of a resolution to do so and approval of the resolution by the governing bodies of all of the cities, villages and towns located in whole or in part within the school district, provide for the appointment of adult school crossing guards for the protection of persons who are crossing a highway in the vicinity of a school. The school crossing guards shall wear insignia or uniforms which designate them as school crossing guards and shall be equipped with signals or signs to direct traffic to stop at school crossings.
(32) School board orientation. Provide for the orientation and continuing education of school board members and persons who have been elected to the school board but have not yet taken office in the general duties and responsibilities of the school board and the school district, and pay for the actual and necessary expenses incurred.
(33) Spending authority. During the period between July 1 and the final adoption of a budget by the school board after the budget hearing under s. 65.90, spend money as needed to meet the immediate expenses of operating and maintaining the public instruction in the school district.
(34) Street trade and minor employment permit officer. Act as permit officer if designated under ss. 103.245 (1) (a) and 103.695 (1) (a).
(35) Presence in school buildings.
(a) A school board may adopt rules applicable to persons who enter or remain in a building operated by the school board, including requirements that such persons identify themselves and sign in when entering or remaining in the building or any specified portion of the building and designating time periods during which such persons may enter or remain in the building or any portion of the building.
(b)
1. Except as provided in subd. 2., any person entering or remaining in a building or portion of a building in violation of the school board's rules is subject to a forfeiture of not more than $1,000. Any person entering or remaining in a building or portion of a building in violation of the school board's rules under circumstances tending to create or provoke a breach of the peace may be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than 90 days or both.
2. Subdivision 1. does not apply to pupils, parents of pupils, school district employees or officials or agents of a certified or recognized representative of school district employees who are included in a collective bargaining unit.
(36) Prekindergarten and kindergarten program agreements. Enter into an agreement with a licensed public or private nonsectarian child care center to lease space for prekindergarten or kindergarten programs offered by the school district or to place school district employees in child care centers to provide instruction in prekindergarten or kindergarten programs offered by the school district.
(37) Awarding high school diplomas to veterans.
(a) Notwithstanding s. 118.33 (1) and (1m), award a high school diploma to a person who meets all of the following requirements:
1. Is at least 65 years old, or is at least 55 years old and has a service-connected disability.
2. Attended high school in the school district or attended high school in this state and resides in the school district.
3. Left high school before receiving a high school diploma to join the U.S. armed forces during a war period under s. 45.01 (13).
4. Served on active duty under honorable conditions in the U.S. armed forces or in forces incorporated as part of the U.S. armed forces.
(b) Notwithstanding s. 118.33 (1m), award a high school diploma to a person who received a high school equivalency diploma under s. 115.29 (4) after serving on active duty under honorable conditions if the person meets the conditions of par. (a) 1. to 3.
(c) Award, upon request, a high school diploma to a person who has died, but who, before dying, satisfied the conditions of par. (a) 2. to 4.
(37m) Single-sex schools and courses. Operate one or more schools that enroll only one sex or provide one or more courses that enroll only one sex if the school board makes available to the opposite sex, under the same policies and criteria of admission, schools or courses that are comparable to each such school or course.
(38) Hunting in school forests. Allow hunting in its school forest, as defined in s. 26.39 (1) (a), except that the board may not allow hunting for a wild animal when there is not an open season for that animal on land adjacent to the school forest. This subsection does not affect the authority of the department of natural resources to remove a wild animal under s. 29.885 (2) (a).
History: 1973 c. 94, 290; 1975 c. 115, 321; 1977 c. 206, 211, 418, 429; 1979 c. 20, 202, 221, 301, 355; 1981 c. 96, 314, 335; 1983 a. 27, 193, 207, 339, 370, 518, 538; 1985 a. 29 ss. 1725e to 1726m, 1731; 1985 a. 101, 135, 211; 1985 a. 218 ss. 12, 13, 22; 1985 a. 332; 1987 a. 88, 187; 1989 a. 31, 201, 336, 359; 1991 a. 39, 226, 269; 1993 a. 16, 27, 284, 334, 399, 450, 481, 491; 1995 a. 27 ss. 4024, 9126 (19), 9145 (1); 1995 a. 29, 32, 33, 65, 75, 225, 235, 289, 439; 1997 a. 27, 155, 164, 191, 237, 335; 1999 a. 9, 19, 73, 83, 115, 128; 1999 a. 150 s. 672; 1999 a. 186; 2001 a. 38, 98, 103, 105; 2003 a. 254; 2005 a. 22, 194, 290, 346; 2005 a. 443 s. 265; 2007 a. 20 ss. 2738, 9121 (6) (a); 2007 a. 36, 70, 97; 2009 a. 14, 28, 76, 146, 185, 208, 218; 2011 a. 105, 162, 168, 258, 260; 2013 a. 186, 306; 2015 a. 55 ss. 3387p, 3389m to 3391c; 2017 a. 11, 30, 59; 2017 a. 364 s. 49; 2019 a. 9, 185; 2021 a. 9; s. 35.17 correction in (1) (bm), (c) 2m.
A school board may issue a subpoena to compel the attendance of a witness at an expulsion hearing. Expulsion may be partially based on hearsay statements by school staff. Due process is discussed. Racine Unified School District v. Thompson, 107 Wis. 2d 657, 321 N.W.2d 334 (Ct. App. 1982).
Neither sub. (1) (c) or (e) expressly or impliedly authorizes the state superintendent to review a challenged suspension when the superintendent reviews an expulsion decision under those provisions. Madison Metropolitan School District v. DPI, 199 Wis. 2d 1, 543 N.W.2d 843 (Ct. App. 1995), 94-0199.
Section 66.185 [now s. 66.0137] does not prohibit providing health insurance benefits to persons not listed in the statute if authority is granted by other statutes. Sections 120.12, 120.13, and 120.44, broadly construed as required by s. 118.001, grant broad powers, including that of providing insurance to persons not listed in this section. Pritchard v. Madison Metropolitan School District, 2001 WI App 62, 242 Wis. 2d 301, 625 N.W.2d 613, 00-0848.
The section (intro) expresses the legislature's intent to give school boards broader powers and wide discretion in exercising its powers, but it does not mean that, when the legislature had previously authorized a board to take particular actions using specified procedures, the board has the authority to follow other procedures in taking those particular actions. While school boards have powers beyond those enumerated in subs. (1) to (37), they do not have the power to violate the provisions of subs. (1) to (37). Madison Metropolitan School District v. Burmaster, 2006 WI App 17, 288 Wis. 2d 771, 709 N.W.2d 73, 05-0875.
The only reasonable construction of sub. (1) (e) 3. is that, if a school district elects to have a hearing officer conduct an expulsion hearing, the district must comply with the procedures specified in that paragraph. Because sub. (1) (e) 3. provides for review by the board of a hearing officer's decision only if the officer has ordered expulsion, the board does not have the authority to review and reverse the hearing officer's decision not to order an expulsion. Madison Metropolitan School District v. Burmaster, 2006 WI App 17, 288 Wis. 2d 771, 709 N.W.2d 73, 05-0875.
The duties and powers under ss. 118.001, 120.12 (14), and 120.13 extend to individual teachers as employees of the school board. It would be absurd to require teachers to obtain special permission from the school board with respect to every detail of their teaching. Summer homework, particularly for an honors class for which students receive additional credit, fits comfortably within the range of what is reasonable and is not unconstitutional. Larson v. Burmaster, 2006 WI App 142, 295 Wis. 2d 333, 720 N.W.2d 134, 05-1433.
Because of a lack of statutory authority, speech therapists may not supply services to students attending therapy sessions in parochial school buildings. 63 Atty. Gen. 8.
Students may have bus riding privileges suspended without being suspended or expelled from school. However, both public and private school students must be afforded due process under sub. (1) before such a suspension can take place. 63 Atty. Gen. 526.
School boards have authority to enforce policies that mandate the manner, conditions, and content of police interviews with students on school premises during school hours. 81 Atty. Gen. 126.
Sub. (1) (f) does not allow a school board to deny enrollment to a pupil who is currently expelled either from an out-of-state public school district or from a private school. OAG 5-08.
Having established the right to an education, the state may not withdraw the right on grounds of misconduct absent fundamentally fair procedures to determine if misconduct occurred. Attendance by the student at expulsion deliberations is not mandatory; all that is required is that the student have the opportunity to attend and present his or her case. Remer v. Burlington Area School District, 149 F. Supp. 2d 665 (2001).
Democracy in the classroom: due process and school discipline. 58 MLR 705.
In Wisconsin Expulsions, We Don't Have to Leave Children Behind. Kratochvil. 91 MLR 1213 (2008).
School Expulsions: Not all are Equal. Julien & Engel. Wis. Law. Oct. 2001.
Children in School: Student Discipline and the School-to-Prison Pipeline. Spitzer-Resnick. Wis. Law. Sept. 2014.

Structure Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations