State supt. praises bipartisan deal to invest in Wisconsin kids and schools, urges continued momentum

State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly today issued a statement in response to Gov. Tony Evers’ and GOP leaders’ bipartisan deal to invest in Wisconsin’s kids and schools. 

The bipartisan package announced today includes an investment of more than $600 million in Wisconsin’s K-12 public schools, including increasing the state’s special education reimbursement rate to 50 percent—the largest increase in state history—as well as investing over $300 million in general school aids. 

“I want to thank Governor Evers and legislative leaders for coming together, putting kids first, and taking this step toward addressing the needs students, educators, families, and communities across Wisconsin have been voicing for years. Hopefully, this will send a clear message that public education is not a partisan issue. It is a shared responsibility and simply the right thing to do for our children, our communities, and the future of our state.  

“Today’s action is a positive first step in the right direction. This investment is a down payment on what Wisconsin kids need and deserve and I hope this momentum continues. Students should not have to resort to suing the state to receive stable funding for public education. I hope today marks the beginning of continued partnership and progress. Wisconsin’s children are counting on it.”