It’s time to release the funding
MADISON —Today, Wisconsin State Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Jill Underly issued a statement in response to the ruling handed down by the Wisconsin State Supreme Court related to Act 100.
“It’s time to release the almost $50 million our schools were promised to help improve reading for kids. Schools invested based on the promise of funding and it’s time that promise is upheld. The plan I’ve submitted to the Joint Committee on Finance gives us the roadmap.
“Under my leadership and direction, the DPI negotiated with legislators to find a comprehensive solution to improve reading that worked for Wisconsin. Like any good compromise, no one got everything they wanted, and I’m proud of the work we did together. Increasing choice payments as Act 100 would do was never part of that discussion, and I’m hopeful that mistake is corrected.
“Schools across Wisconsin embraced the reforms outlined in Act 20, and after the law was signed, the DPI made immediate changes to support educators teaching students to read. Today’s ruling changes none of that. A key part of our compromise was to provide districts with funding to implement new strategies and change practices. States across the nation have seen success using similar models. It is devastating that despite bipartisan agreement on how to proceed, we have been stuck in neutral.”
NOTE: An official photo of Dr. Underly is available on the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s website.
