DPI race Archives

DPI sends statewide education plan to the feds over some GOP protest

Monday, Sep 18, 2017

Dem guv candidate and state schools Superintendent Tony Evers chalked up Gov. Scott Walker’s refusal to sign onto his department’s statewide education plan as playing politics. Education officials submitted their accountability framework to the feds today. The state’s plan to comply with the federal Every Student Succeeds Act has drawn fire from conservative groups, legislators and most recently t… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options. Username or E-mail Password * Remember Me Forgot Password

Supporters say bill that would change state’s choice programs would help reduce burdens on schools

Tuesday, Jun 13, 2017

Private school advocates lined up today to voice support for a bill that would make sweeping technical changes to the state’s school choice programs. The bipartisan bill, which is likely to be on the guv’s desk before the end of the month, is scheduled to be taken up by the full Senate tomorrow and the full Assembly next week. Some Dems on the Assembly Education Committee, including Reps. Sondy Po… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options.

Evers’ margin of victory high after strong win in DPI race

Wednesday, Apr 5, 2017

State Superintendent Tony Evers was on pace to easily top his margins of victory for his first two terms, following his election win last night. With almost all precincts in, Evers had 494,845 votes, or 70 percent, while challenger Lowell Holtz had 212,529, or 30 percent. In 2013, Evers beat then-GOP Rep. Don Pridemore with 61.1 percent of the vote. In 2009, Evers won his first term over school ch… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options.

Amid lower turnout, Evers dominates Holtz in 9 of state’s 10 biggest counties

Wednesday, Apr 5, 2017

State Superintendent Tony Evers dominated challenger Lowell Holtz in nine of the state’s 10 biggest counties, even as turnout across those counties dipped overall from the spring 2013 general. But three of those counties pulled higher voter turnouts than the April election four years ago. The biggest surge was in Dane County, where 97,049 voters showed up, and 86 percent cast their votes for Evers… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options.

Elections Commission experts turnout between 13 and 18 percent in DPI race

Tuesday, Apr 4, 2017

The Elections Commission expects turnout tomorrow to be between 13 percent and 18 percent, based on recent spring elections that featured a contested DPI race, but no challenger to a sitting Supreme Court justice. Not counting presidential primaries that have been held on the April general election, turnout for statewide spring races has averaged 19.3 percent since 2000. But there have been only t… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options.

Evers battles with Holtz over state’s achievement gap

Saturday, Apr 1, 2017

In his last face-off with Tony Evers before Tuesday’s election, Lowell Holtz slammed the state superintendent for the Wisconsin’s achievement gaps, saying it’s “not acceptable to be the worst” in the country. Holtz said one of the main reasons why it exists is because schools aren’t safe. “We’re turning our back on generations of minority kids and saying, ‘Sorry, we didn’t fix the problem,’” he said at a Wisconsin Public Television and Wisconsin Public Radio debate in Madison. Holtz asked Evers why he let the achievement gap widen during his nearly eight years as state superintendent. Evers countered the achievement

Whitnall school board sends letter to community on Holtz’s email use

Friday, Mar 31, 2017

The Whitnall school board in a letter to district families last night said it has contacted the Milwaukee County District Attorney about former superintendent Lowell Holtz’s possible “misuse of district resources.” But Holtz’s state superintendent campaign accused the district of hypocrisy and “using district resources to a political end.” The letter, addressed to the “Whitnall community,” said th… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options.

Evers ‘pleased’ with Walker’s DPI budget proposal

Friday, Mar 31, 2017

State Superintendent Tony Evers said today he’s pleased with Gov. Scott Walker’s budget proposal to add $649 million toward K-12, though he’d like some changes in the budget. That includes Walker’s proposal to allow permanent licenses for teachers and administrators by eliminating their expiration dates. Evers told the Joint Finance Committee he’s working with stakeholders on a proposal to “stream… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options.

Holtz releases radio ad with appeal to Wisconsin moms

Wednesday, Mar 29, 2017

State schools superintendent challenger Lowell Holtz is going up on radio around the state with an appeal to Wisconsin moms. The 60-second ad also features GOP Sens. Leah Vukmir and Alberta Darling, as well as Rep. Jessie Rodriguez, R-Oak Creek. They cite Holtz’s backing of school choice, his support of local control for schools and his “history of strong, positive leadership” as reasons to suppor… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options.

Greater Wisconsin Committee praises Evers in new TV ad

Tuesday, Mar 28, 2017

A new TV ad from the progressive Greater Wisconsin Committee praising Evers started today in Green Bay and Milwaukee. The 30-second ad touts “increased academic standards” and graduation rates across the state during Evers’ tenure as superintendent, as well as his “focus on career and technical education to prepare our children for tomorrow’s jobs.” “When it comes to protecting our children and sc… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options.

Evers outraises Holtz by more than double as election nears

Tuesday, Mar 28, 2017

State Superintendent Tony Evers’ campaign says he raised $217,616 in the run-up to the April 4 election, more than doubling what challenger Lowell Holtz pulled in over the same period. Evers’ campaign also said he will report $74,634 in cash on hand. Holtz, who has regularly trailed Evers for fundraising, raised $86,931 from Feb. 9 to March 20, according to his filing with the Ethics Commission. I… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options.

Evers releases first two TV ads

Monday, Mar 20, 2017

State Superintendent Tony Evers’ campaign released its first two TV ads of the campaign today. Both knock opponent Lowell Holtz for a proposed deal that could have landed the challenger a six-figure, taxpayer-funded job. Without naming Holtz in either ad, Evers references talks Holtz and fellow primary challenger John Humphries had that one could get a six-figure salary and a driver if one of them… Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options.

‘UpFront’: Evers, Holtz clash over Common Core, Act 10

Monday, Mar 20, 2017

Department of Public Instruction Superintendent Tony Evers, and his challenger Lowell Holtz clashed over the Common Core in a joint appearance on “UpFront with Mike Gousha,” produced in partnership with WisPolitics.com.

Holtz brief argues OWN complaint is ‘transparent political gamesmanship’

Thursday, Mar 16, 2017

State superintendent candidate Lowell Holtz argued in a brief that the Elections Commission should dismiss a complaint against him because it was “transparent political gamesmanship filed to generate negative media.” The commission this week turned down the complaint from the liberal One Wisconsin Now. The group had claimed Holtz and then-candidate John Humphries violated election bribery laws by … Please log in to access subscriber content. If you don’t have a subscription, click here for a WisPolitics free trial and to view the different subscription options.

Elections Commission dismisses election bribery complaint against Holtz, Humphries

Thursday, Mar 16, 2017

The Elections Commission unanimously dismissed a complaint filed against John Humphries and Lowell Holtz, finding their talks that one could get a six-figure salary and a driver if the other won the state superintendent’s race did not violate election bribery laws.