In a significant move to address its fiscal challenges, Wisconsin's Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has implemented a series of budgetary restrictions that include freezing hiring, halting discretionary spending, and canceling out-of-state travel for the remainder of the school year. These drastic measures have been introduced in response to dwindling funding from the Republican-controlled Legislature and the depletion of federal COVID-19 relief funds. As the DPI strives to balance its budget, the implications of these cuts are already becoming a contentious issue in the upcoming state superintendent race set for this spring.

 

The Election Landscape: Accountability and Accusations

Current state superintendent Jill Underly, who is seeking reelection, has defended these cuts as necessary actions to navigate the financial landscape exacerbated by insufficient support from the Legislature. "The cuts we are making reflect the reality of our current funding situation," Underly stated, emphasizing the need for prudent fiscal management amid dwindling resources.

However, her primary rival, Sauk Prairie schools superintendent Jeff Wright, has criticized Underly's leadership, claiming that these budgetary decisions showcase a failure to effectively manage the department. Describing the situation as one of severe financial mismanagement, Wright's campaign manager, Tyler Smith, stated, "This agency has never faced such financial mismanagement, resulting in hiring freezes, travel bans, and other impediments to its mission of improving K-12 education in Wisconsin."

Underly's campaign manager, Jorna Taylor, countered these criticisms, arguing that Wright's lack of experience in state government has resulted in a misunderstanding of the challenges faced by the DPI. Taylor remarked, “Jeff Wright has no experience in state government and has lost his two previous elections for public office. He simply doesn’t understand that Republicans have cut agencies like DPI to the core.”

 

The Primary Race Heats Up

As the election approaches, Underly and Wright will face off in a primary on February 18, along with education consultant Brittany Kinser, who has pledged to bring a new approach to Wisconsin’s education system. Kinser, who claims to have extensive experience in managing tight budgets, positions herself as a proactive candidate willing to innovate for the benefit of students and teachers alike.

 

Budgetary Impacts: Cuts That Hit Close to Home

The DPI’s recent internal memo has laid bare the scope of the cuts, which extend to frozen out-of-state travel, sponsorships, optional memberships to organizations, and some tuition reimbursement benefits. The hiring freeze applies broadly, with exceptions only for critical roles at two specialized residential centers. Additionally, the department is exploring voluntary reductions in work hours among its staff to further streamline costs.

Deputy Superintendent Tom McCarthy, in a department-wide email announcing the cuts, referenced the impending end of pandemic aid and acknowledged the necessity for the DPI to recalibrate its spending in light of changing financial dynamics. “Due to this ongoing work, we will not end the year in a deficit,” he assured, underscoring the commitment to prioritize services for schools and students even amidst scaling back agency activities.

While DPI officials have characterized budget cuts as reflective of significant funding shortfalls, the actual numbers paint a more complex picture. Budget documents indicate a 6% overall increase in the DPI’s budget compared to the previous fiscal year. However, most of this budget—exceeding $8 billion—flows directly to school districts, leaving the agency's operational funds under increasing pressure.