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
| Shelley Joan Weiss, Commissioner, Chair | Dr. Jill Underly - Wisconsin State Superintendent of Public Instruction |
| Thomas McCarthy - Executive Director for the State Superintendent | Andrea Donegan - Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) Liaison, School Counseling Consultant |
|
Benjamin Jones - DPI Legal Counsel (Kari Race - Designated Substitute) |
Senator Rachael Cabral-Guevara - Legislative Representative |
| Michael Hanson - Superintendent of Tomah Area School District (Military Impacted Schools) |
Samuel Russ - Superintendent of Sparta Area School District (Military Impacted Schools) |
| Rebecca Walley - Wisconsin School Liaison Officer for Military Families (based at Fort McCoy) | Lt Col John Wheeler - Interim Military Representative |
| Lynn Sisco - Military Family Representative | JD Englehardt - Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs, Child and Youth Program |
| Rebecca Boehlke - Representative, Military One Source | Stephanie Hauser - Representative, Executive Director of the WIAA |
| Angelene Mattes - Representative, WI Parent Teacher Association | Derek Campbell - Executive Branch Representative |
| Stacy Eslick - Wisconsin School Counselor Association Executive Director |
Joni Matthews - Director of Wisconsin Challenge Academy |
| Steve Schroeder - AWSA/WASDA Representative to the State Council | Shae Sortwell - Legislative Representative |
