Who We Are
Wisconsin became part of the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children through legislation (Wis. Stat. § 14.91) that was enacted in 2010. The compact provides for the uniform treatment of military children transferring between school districts and states. The compact was developed by the Council of State Governments’ National Center for Interstate Compacts, the Department of Defense, national associations, federal and state officials, departments of education, school administrators, and military families.
Military children face many challenges including moving frequently. Most military children attend six to nine different school systems during their PK-12 educational career and will transition more than twice during their high school years. School enrollment, eligibility for academic programs, school-sponsored extracurricular activities, placement, and graduating on time can be difficult due to frequent relocations. In addition to adjusting to new cities, bases, and homes, military children also deal with making and losing friends as they frequently change schools. While the military has made great strides to support transitions for personnel and spouses, their children continue to face challenges. Educators and legislators in Wisconsin are working to minimize the negative impact on the education of military children.
In 2010, Shelley Joan Weiss was appointed as the State Commissioner to the Interstate Commission on the Educational Opportunity for Military Children.
Wisconsin Council Members
- Required Representatives
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Shelley Joan Weiss, Commissioner, Chair
Samuel Russ - Superintendent of Sparta Area School District (Military Impacted Schools)
Col Sheyla Baez-Ramirez - Military Representative, Appointed by DoD
Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara - Legislative Representative
Derek Campbell - Executive Branch Representative
Dr. Jill Underly - Wisconsin State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Michael Hanson - Superintendent of Tomah Area School District (Military Impacted Schools)
Col Timothy Guy - Military Representative
Rep. Shae Sortwell - Legislative Representative
Rebecca Walley - Wisconsin School Liaison Officer for Military Families (based at Fort McCoy)
- Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Representatives
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Thomas McCarthy - Executive Director for the State Superintendent
Andrea Donegan - DPI Liaison, School Counseling Consultant
Elizabeth Pease - DPI, Office Operations Associate, Student Services, Prevention & Wellness Team
Benjamin Jones - DPI Legal Counsel (Kari Race - Designated Substitute)
Kelly Behling - DPI, Executive Staff Assistant, Office of the State Superintendent
Wendy Stanislawski - DPI, Communications Team
- Representatives from Stakeholder Groups
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Joni Matthews - Director of Wisconsin Challenge Academy
JD Engelhardt - Wisconsin National Guard Youth and Child Program Executive Director
Andi Kirzan - Representative, WI Parent Teacher Association
Stephanie Hauser - Representative, Executive Director of the WIAA
Lynn Sisco - Military Family Representative
Angelica Kasputis - Communications Director for Military Impacted School District
Rebecca Boehlke - Representative, Military One Source
Stacy Eslick - Wisconsin School Counselor Association Executive Director
Steve Schroeder - AWSA/WASDA Representative to the State Council
Elizabeth Wilcox - Communications Director for Military Impacted School District
Lt Col John Wheeler - Interim Military Representative
Connie Lewis - WI Legislative Staff
