Folks,
This is a long email, but please bear with me, because it’s important.
On April 6, Wisconsin voters will have a chance to vote for a new State Superintendent of Public Instruction—Governor Tony Evers’ old job. This person will be the head of public schools in the state of Wisconsin. This will be our first statewide general election since we elected President Biden.
Our schools are at a crossroads. The pandemic has disrupted learning for all K-12 students in Wisconsin, and it has exacerbated longstanding opportunity gaps that harm students of color, rural students, and students from lower-income families.
We need a leader with the vision to not just reopen schools safely, but to build them back better, fairer, and more equitable than ever before. We have no doubt that Dr. Jill Underly is that leader.
Most people aren't following this race. But it’s time to tune in. Voucher school advocates certainly are. Right-wing billionaire Arther Dantchik, a Betsy DeVos ally, is the biggest donor in the race—and he helped make Deborah Kerr, Jill’s opponent, the top-raising primary candidate. And Dantchick isn’t the only enemy of public schools backing Kerr. She’s been endorsed by school voucher activists (and DeVos fans) George and Susan Mitchell, who have pushed hard to privatize education in Wisconsin for years.
Jill Underly’s lifelong commitment to public education and lifting up every student has defined every step of her career, and shines through her record of service to students from pre-kindergarten through college -- as a teacher, a principal, a mentor, and a district superintendent.
Rather than expanding the diversion of public funds into private schools, Jill is a champion of fully funding public schools to meet the needs of ALL students.
She is the best DPI candidate for Wisconsin, and we look forward to helping voters cast their ballots for her on April 6.
There’s a lot on the line with this election, and that’s why it matters so much. It’s our first test of the Biden era. It’s the first statewide election since Wisconsin flipped blue. It’s the first statewide election of the election cycle in which we re-elect Governor Evers and defeat Ron Johnson. It’s the first opportunity we have to test our organizing strategy for 2022. The fate of Wisconsin students, parents, and teachers are hanging in the balance -- which is even more pressing in the wake of the ongoing pandemic.
We all have a lot to do to ensure that Dr. Underly comes out and I’m prepared to do everything it takes.
If you’re ready to join us, could you share our endorsement on Facebook right now and tell us why you’re supporting Dr. Jill Underly for Superintendent of Public Instruction.
This may seem like a small thing, but it matters. Lots of
voters spend countless hours on Facebook, and by sharing our endorsement—and commenting, liking—you’re helping ensure that Wisconsin voters see our endorsement of public school champion Jill Underly. So I hope you’ll take a minute to take this important action.
