As the dust settles after last week’s primary, Wisconsin voters will have a clear choice in the April 1 general election in the race for State Superintendent of Public Instruction, also known as superintendent of schools.
While the position is technically non-partisan, incumbent Superintendent Jill Underly, supported by the state Democratic party, will face a challenger in education consultant Brittany Kinser, who is supported by Republicans. Here’s what the state superintendent actually does, who the candidates are, and where they stand on hot-button education issues in Wisconsin.
What Does the State Superintendent of Schools Do?
Under the state constitution, the superintendent has broad authority over education in Wisconsin. It’s the superintendent’s role to oversee public schools, provide guidance for principals, and offer assistance for organization.
In Wisconsin, the superintendent gets involved in school funding battles between Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and the Republican-controlled legislature. They also weigh in on education issues, including testing standards, and federal education issues, such as President Donald Trump’s threats to dissolve the U.S. Department of Education.
It’s a powerful position. Unlike many other states, Wisconsin does not have a state board of education that the superintendent shares power with. And it can be a stepping stone to higher office – Evers was Wisconsin’s superintendent of schools before being elected governor.
Who Are the Candidates?
Underly was assistant superintendent of schools before being elected to the top post in 2021. Before that, she had a long career in public education, serving as a district superintendent, elementary school principal, and middle and high school teacher.
Kinser is a Milwaukee-based education consultant who was head of Wisconsin’s Rocketship Schools, part of a nationwide network of charter schools. She’s also the past president of City Forward Collective, an education nonprofit that advocates for charter and voucher schools.
Who Is Backing Them?
Underly received $106,000 from the Wisconsin Democratic Party this month. Kinser has received $200,000 from the Wisconsin Republican Party.
What’s Their Stances on Education Issues?
Kinser is an ardent supporter of “school choice,” which includes bolstering private school vouchers with public dollars. Underly wants the state to provide more public school funding, asking for $4 billion in the upcoming budget.
Underly overhauled school achievement standards last year, saying the new standards better reflect what students are actually learning in class. Kinser charges that the new standards lower the bar for students, and endorsed a Republican-backed bill to restore the original standards.
The candidates are also on opposite sides of Act 10, Gov. Scott Walker’s law that removed collective bargaining rights for most political employees, including teachers. The Wisconsin Supreme Court is weighing whether to overturn the law. Underly supported a lower court ruling that overturned Act 10, while Kinser does not support overturning it.
