Seven candidates line up for state superintendent of schools post, with primary on Tuesday

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After the position was held for more than a decade by Gov. Tony Evers and his appointed successor, Wisconsin voters will elect a new state superintendent of schools this spring. Carolyn Stanford Taylor, who stepped into the role when Evers became governor, is not running, leaving the field open to seven contenders in the Feb. 16 primary. The two candidates with the most votes will face off in the general election April 6.

As school districts have taken vastly different approaches to navigating the pandemic, the new superintendent could become a key figure to guide this process and address widening inequities. While the superintendent's power over local school boards is limited, Taylor was able to pressure Milwaukee Public Schools to reopen for certain students with disabilities by threatening to withhold funds for special education.

The superintendent also crafts budget proposals for state education funding every two years. Taylor submitted a two-year budget request this fall, and the next superintendent will propose a new budget in 2022. Some candidates proposed overhauling school funding, reviving efforts that have failed for years to change how the state determines aid for each district and caps school budgets. All candidates called for additional aid for special education, English language learners and mental health. Such changes would require support from lawmakers.

Description of candidates and their platforms at link: https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/2021/02/10/seven-candidates-primary-wisconsin-superintendent-schools/4438084001/

Reccomendations?

[AllyCat]

1. I am struggling with this too.

I liked Hendricks until I found out she supports tax money for charter schools. I feel Kerr is the silent GOPper. My local Dems group likes Underly.

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9. Silent GOPer is leading so far.

[dragonlady]

10. She had the most financial resources

[AllyCat]

11. Ugh. Kerr? She was the one I really did not want.

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12. They finished 1/2

With Underly getting more votes. The deciding vote is in April.

[John Ludi]

2. Yes...I'd

like to hear other people's input on this as well...Underly seems to be along the lines of my own thinking...so far.

[cp]

3. Jill Underly

Watched the League of Women Voters forum with all seven. (Kerr is the cloaked wreck-public-schools candidate.)

[SmartVoter22]

4. Early & Absentee Voting are Closed Now

Monday Feb 15th is President's Day and most clerk's offices are closed.

If you wanted to vote early or absentee, here is how to get that done for the Tues April 6th General Spring election.
Wisconsin has either, two or four elections, every single year. Add one for any Special Elections that may come up.

Voting At Home, with an absentee, assures you can vote in the easiest and safest possible method.
It is literally fraud-proof.

GO TO https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/MyVoterInfo

Enter your legal name ( what's on your Driver's License to match)
Enter your Date of Birth ( 01/01/1234)

It will give you all your information; I mean everything....
--- Every elected official who represents you, and contact info.
--- Your polling location, city clerk contact & location
--- Absentee Ballot Application & Instructions.

NOTE: Unless you can provide a permanent disability note from your doctor,
YOU MUST APPLY EVERY YEAR FOR ABSENTEE BALLOTS.

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5. That's 3 for Underly

[Talitha]

6. Definitely Jill Underly.

[ariadne0614]

7. Definitely Jill Underly.

I just posted this in General Discussion too:
“Tomorrow is the primary election for State Superintendent of the Department of Public Instruction (DPI). The DPI controls a huge chunk of the state budget, so it’s a big deal. I don’t have a child in school, so I felt embarrassingly uninformed.

Online research was pretty frustrating until I discovered this amazing resource. It felt good to fill out my ballot with confidence about the issues and my choice.
https://wiseye.org/category/campaign/

[ariadne0614]

8. Additional info from the Shepherd Express.

Race for State Superintendent Unfortunately Gets a Little Negative - Shepherd Express

https://shepherdexpress.com/news/happening-now/race-for-state-superintendent-unfortunately-gets-a-little-ne/