Sen. Jacque: Expanding educational options for military families signed by governor

Jacque authored law increases flexibility for armed forces families

participating in state’s open enrollment system

MADISON… Bipartisan legislation authored by Senator André Jacque (New Franken) to grant military families greater flexibility when choosing the best school for their children was signed into law today by Governor Tony Evers as Act 204.

In Wisconsin, a parent may send their child to school outside of their resident school district under the state’s open enrollment program if an application is submitted during a three-month period the previous spring.  Military families were additionally able to apply during the school year within a limited 30-day window of receiving military orders which require a change of residence. 

“Military families frequently move between posts, and orders they receive are rarely in sync with the school calendar and open enrollment cycles,” said Jacque.  “Wisconsin should seek to remove any obstacles facing military families and grant increased flexibility to allow them to make the best educational decisions for their children.”

Act 204 extends the window in which parents could apply for open enrollment to within 90 days of receiving military orders. Representative Duke Tucker (Grantsburg) was the lead author in the Assembly.

The new law was requested by the U.S. Department of Defense and also clarifies that the open enrollment policy also applies to military orders from national guard and reserve units from any state.  In committee testimony, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction noted that the legislation “may provide greater clarity and ease anxiety during a stressful transition.”  The bill passed both legislative chambers on a voice vote, and had the support of the American Legion Department of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Chapter of the VFW, and the Wisconsin Department of Veteran Affairs .

“The increased flexibility for military parents is one additional way we can help make Wisconsin the best state in the union for our military members,” said Jacque.

Senator André Jacque represents Northeast Wisconsin’s First Senate District, consisting of Door and Kewaunee Counties and portions of Brown, Calumet, Manitowoc, and Outagamie counties.