Financial strain has prompted the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to freeze hiring and out-of-state travel.
The changes were announced in a memo sent to staff on Friday, citing a $2.3 million reduction in state funding for administrative costs.
Details of the Freeze
Deputy State Superintendent Tom McCarthy outlined the measures:
- Hiring Freeze: Effective immediately, hiring is paused for all roles except “critical positions at the two residential centers” through June 30, the end of the current fiscal year.
- Travel Freeze: No out-of-state travel will be authorized for agency staff.
- Voluntary Reductions: Employees can request reduced paid working hours.
“We are not asking you to stop supporting schools, educators, and kids,” McCarthy stated. “Instead, we urge you to critically assess budget and time usage to prioritize service to schools.”
Financial Context
McCarthy linked the freeze to the agency’s reliance on state and federal funding, including federal pandemic aid, which is nearly exhausted. He emphasized the importance of adapting spending habits to reflect current realities.
While DPI’s funding has been reduced, public schools have received increased state funding under the current budget.
This discrepancy has drawn criticism from lawmakers, including State Senator John Jagler (R-Watertown), who expressed concern over DPI’s financial management.
Legislative Oversight and Controversy
Senator Jagler welcomed the DPI’s cost-cutting measures but called for more scrutiny of its operations.
Additionally, he co-authored a GOP bill aiming to reverse DPI changes to the Forward Exam scoring scale, which critics argue obscures year-to-year data comparisons.
DPI officials defend the adjustments, citing alignment with state-specific standards rather than national benchmarks, which they consider overly stringent.
State Superintendent Jill Underly has maintained the updates reflect recommendations from state experts and insists standards have not been lowered.
Political Implications
The financial challenges and testing controversies come as Underly faces reelection.
Her opponents and Governor Tony Evers, a former state superintendent, have criticized her handling of these issues, calling for greater collaboration and transparency in DPI operations.
As the DPI navigates budget cuts and political scrutiny, it remains to be seen how these challenges will impact Wisconsin’s education system in the long term.
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