With $4.6B budget surplus, state superintendent calls for investment in public education – WisPolitics

MADISON — Following news that Wisconsin has a budget surplus of $4.6 billion, State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly today released a statement calling for investment in public education.

“The news that Wisconsin has a budget surplus of more than $4.5 billion comes at a time when too many of our school districts across the state are forced to go to referendum just to keep the lights on and our teachers in the classroom. Our legislature has woefully underfunded public education to the detriment of our kids and communities.

“Governor Evers deserves credit for his stewardship of our resources in challenging circumstances. It’s well past time for our legislators to prioritize public education and use this surplus to support significant new investment in our public schools. We must help our schools pay for required special education costs, increase allowable spending, feed our kids, provide mental health services, and improve educator working conditions to make Wisconsin schools stronger. Schools across the state are telling us how desperate they are for resources. It is long past due that we heed their call.”