Jill Underly Fights Against Wisconsin School Choice Program Growth

Unlike most states in the country, Wisconsin’s Superintendent of Public Instruction is elected by the public, not appointed by the governor or regulatory body. No state board of education exists in Wisconsin, so the superintendent stands alone while making decisions about school management, distribution of federal funds and licenses for public teachers. 

On April 6, voters are charged with setting the tone of the education system for the next four years. 

Conflicting views on public school funding define the nonpartisan race as Jill Underly wants to end school choice programs in Wisconsin, stating they drain public schools of much needed resources 

“High poverty schools are losing money because of vouchers, and it’s not just the drain on financial resources—it’s a drain on kids,” Underly said during a Zoom interview. “We’re pulling you know some really great kids out of our public schools, and that’s at a detriment to our public school.” 

The state-funded Private School Choice Programs include the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program, which runs statewide, and regional-offshoots Milwaukee Parental Choice Program and the Racine Parental Choice Program.  

Schools enrolled in the program receive payments from the state on behalf of each eligible student and their parent or guardian, according to the Wisconsin Department of Instruction. 

“Overall, school funding is a significant issue that needs to be addressed in the state of Wisconsin to ensure equitable access for students and equal opportunities,” said Julie Berndt, a Social Studies teacher from Verona, Wis. 

Underly, the current Pecatonica Area School district superintendent, opposes the expansion of the voucher system. The program should be phased out, and its resources should be reallocated to public schools, Underly said. 

Wisconsin taxpayers spent $349.6 million on private school vouchers in 2019. The state’s school districts lost $73.2 million because school choice programs redirected the funds to the private sector. 

In the 2020-2021 academic year, $380 million left the education equalized aid fund to go to voucher schools, which impacted the budgets of every district during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Underly. 

“We could use that money to pay our teachers more or into our public schools to help them provide better professional development or technology,” Underly added.  

Underly was the only candidate in the 7-person February primary to serve as a district superintendent during the pandemic. 

The voucher system was founded in 1990 with the creation of the Milwaukee Parental Choice program with the goal of providing low-income parents in the city the freedom to send their children to a private school regardless of financial barriers, said the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program. The Milwaukee Parental Choice Program was the first school choice program in the country. 

Deborah Kerr, Underly’s opponent, is pro-school choice. 

Kerr, a retired Brown Deer district superintendent, plans to support the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program. Her campaign website shares a link to the Facebook page for #TrustParents, an advocacy group that supports the current voucher system.  

“Dr. Deb Kerr will follow the law and ensure all parents can send their child to a high-performing school — and only Kerr has a track record of turning around her public school district, boosting outcomes and closing achievement gaps,” her campaign said in a written statement. 

Kerr’s campaign did not respond to a student journalist’s interview request. 

As of 2020, Wisconsin has four school choice programs that support over 40,000 K4-12 students, according to the Wisconsin Department of Instruction. Advocates are looking for ways to expand the program’s reach. 

After the February 12 primary, Kerr and Underly pulled ahead in a seven-candidate field with very close vote counts. Underly took the lead by a small margin with 27% of the vote (88,900 votes) while Kerr received 26% (86,045 votes), according to the Associated Press. 

While the race is non-partisan, the debate over vouchers falls along party lines.  

Prominent Republicans including former Wis. Gov. Scott Walker endorsed Kerr, a self-identified Biden voter. 

“Voted for Deborah Kerr this morning for State Superintendent of Public Instruction,” Walker announced on Twitter following the February primary. “She is a proven reformer who wants all kids in government-run or private schools to do well!” 

Her campaign received $15,000 from Arthur Dantchik, conservative mega-donor with a decade-long history of donating to Wisconsin Republicans, according to the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign.  

Wisconsin Education Association Council, the state’s largest union for public school teachers, recommended voters support Underly.  

“Dr. Underly has committed to repairing or replacing the school funding formula so it is equitable to all students regardless of their ZIP code,” WEAC President Ron Martin said in a written statement. “WEAC educator-members, our political action committee and our board of directors stand with Dr. Underly as the next Wisconsin State Superintendent.” 

According to the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, the teachers’ union donated $18,000 to Underly’s campaign. 

When asked what voters should take away from the recommendation, Underly said, “I’m a champion for teachers, our kids, our families, our communities, and [Wisconsin Education Association Council] recognizes that.” 

Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D), Rep. Gwen Moore (D) and Rep. Mark Pocan (D) are among the 24 Wisconsin lawmakers listed on the endorsements page of Underly’s campaign website. 

The April 6 election decides the future of the voucher system and how financial inequities among Wisconsin schools are addressed.  

“The current way that school districts receive funds creates disparities between urban, suburban, and rural districts in terms of student achievement, student opportunities, and attracting and retaining high-quality educators,” Berndt added. “We need to ensure equitable funding to address the disparities that exist among our student populations throughout Wisconsin.”