MADISON —Today, Wisconsin State Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Jill Underly issued a statement in response to the agreement reached on state education funding.
“I want to thank Governor Evers and legislative leaders for coming together to make progress in funding our schools. The budget compromise provides needed increases to special education, maintains funding for school mental health, reimburses schools for literacy efforts related to Act 20, and creates a long overdue state funding level for child care. These are common sense investments that will benefit families across Wisconsin.
“I hope this compromise is the beginning of a larger conversation. We have a real opportunity to build from this moment to ensure that we leave a legacy of well-funded public schools in this state. That’s essential. It’s what the Wisconsin Constitution demands, and it’s what our kids deserve.
“With no increase in state support for the next two years — and the very real possibility of federal reductions — our district leaders and communities will be under immense pressure. I worry about our school leaders and local school boards. This is not an issue of their construction, and they should not have to do that balancing act alone.
“So, I say this with a deep sense of hope: the spirit of compromise that led to today’s budget deal must carry on into the fall. Wisconsin’s children are counting on us. We must keep this momentum going.”
NOTE: An official photo of Dr. Underly is available on the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s website.
