A legislative committee unanimously approved an audit of the Department of Public Instruction’s policies on the revocation and suspension of education officials’ licenses.
The proposed audit was prompted by a media report finding DPI had investigated more than 200 teachers, aides, substitutes and administrators between 2018 and 2023 following accusations of sexual misconduct or grooming behaviors.
Also during yesterday’s Joint Legislative Audit Committee hearing, GOP lawmakers needled DPI staff about State Superintendent Jill Underly’s absence for the first portion of the meeting on an audit related to school district financial reporting. Rep. Francesca Hong, D-Madison, called lawmakers’ conduct toward DPI staff “incredibly disturbing.”
Co-chair Rep. Robert Wittke, R-Caledonia, said he was “extremely disappointed” Underly did not appear to discuss the findings, and said other agency heads have come before the committee to weigh in on audit reports.
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Deputy State Superintendent Tom McCarthy noted Underly would attend to discuss the proposed audit later in the hearing. She later appeared before the committee as it took up the audit on revocation and suspension policies.
“The difference I think from agency heads is you don’t get the governor at every hearing, do you?” McCarthy said. “And Dr. Underly is an elected official and has dispatched us to manage parts of these duties and that is why you have me at these, because she does take it very seriously and is staying deeply briefed.”
Underly faced criticism for failing to appear at an Assembly committee hearing on sexual misconduct in schools last month while out of town accepting a distinguished alumni award from Indiana University.
Rep. Mark Born, R-Beaver Dam, argued it was hypocritical for Underly not to appear for the first part of the hearing after she publicly criticized the Joint Finance Committee he co-chairs for not inviting her to testify on her budget request.
“So apparently it’s not above her to be coming before a joint committee to talk about all the ways she wants to spend money, but it is above her to come and talk about how she needs to be accountable to the almost $19 billion that her agency spends,” Born said.
Leading into the discussion of the proposed audit, Hong requested that the committee “maintain a level of decorum and respect.”
“We have heard the words ‘joke,’ just egregious opinions that have nothing to do with an audit that not only looks at MPS but the districts all across the state,” Hong said. “And to belittle the folks here who are testifying is incredibly disturbing, and I think it’s important that we continue to have, and I ask that the rest of this committee refrain from making broad statements of opinions and ask questions as it pertains to the audits that we have in front of us.”
Yesterday’s hearing came after Underly spoke before the Senate Education Committee Tuesday to discuss allegations of sexual misconduct in schools. Underly on Tuesday also released a new online database listing educators with suspended and revoked licenses. She largely echoed her past comments yesterday.
“Again, the department does not cover up misconduct, we do not shield information from the public, we do not ignore allegations, and we do everything in our power to remove those who harm children from classrooms, and we do it urgently and decisively,” Underly said.
