State Superintendent candidates square off in forum, discuss qualifications, ACT 10

 

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Less than two weeks out from the primary election, two out of three candidates vying for the state's top education job made their pitch to voters during a forum in Madison.

Brittany Kinser, a Milwaukee-based education consultant, and Sauk Prairie Superintendent Jeff Wright attended a WisPolitics forum Thursday as they competed for Wisconsin's superintendent of public instruction on Feb. 18th.

Incumbent State Superintendent Jill Underly did not participate due to a scheduling conflict. The top two finishers will run in the general election on April 1.

During the event, Kinser and Wright weighed in on a range of topics including school funding, qualifications for the job, ACT 10, and the Trump administration push to abolish the Education Department.

Qualifications

Kinser's background includes working at both public and charter schools. She defended her qualifications after state records show she's never had a Wisconsin teachers license, as first reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

"I'm qualified for the job," Kinser told reporters after the forum. "I've been in education for over 25 years, and I did have a license when I was a principal."

Kinser was certified as an administrator for 10 years in the state, a license that expired last year.

Wisconsin does not require state superintendent candidates to hold an active teacher's license or any other licenses, but her opponents say it raises questions about whether she can lead DPI.

"I do think a candidate in this race should have an active teaching license or principal license, or any license really," Wright said. "Similar to our past state superintendents."

Candidates that ran for DPI in the last two contested races all had active licenses.

Kinser called the issue a "distraction."

Wright, who was raised by two teachers, also touted his qualifications working in rural and urban school districts during the forum.

"That lived experience as an educator is something our state superintendent should have going into a job that's supposed to be supporting districts of all types," said Wright.

ACT 10

On the issue of ACT 10, Wright believes the law should be overturned to restore collective bargaining rights to teachers and many other state workers.

Meanwhile, Kinser disagreed by arguing how much the law has saved taxpayers. ACT 10 primarily saved money by shifting costs for pension and health benefits for public employees to the employees.

Teacher unions are asking Justices on the state Supreme Court to repeal the 2011 law. Liberals currently hold a 4-3 majority on the court, but conservatives could win it back this year.

On April 1st, Dane County Judge Susan Crawford and Waukesha County Judge Brad Schimel will compete for an open seat on the court.

Abolishing Education Department

Kinser is "open" to changes at the Department of Education as the Trump administration prepares an executive order to eliminate the federal agency.

"As long as we're getting the funding from the department, I'm open to changes," Kinser said without elaborating on what changes she supports.

Wright expressed concerns about how the move would impact higher education and loans many students rely on.

"Many districts in our state rely on TITLE I, II, III, IV," Wright said. "Those federal dollars are funneled through the Department of Education for students who are most economically disadvantaged, where does that go?"

President Donald Trump campaigned on eliminating the Education Department, however he cannot unilaterally abolish the agency without the approval of Congress.

Underly Absent

Notably absent from the forum was incumbent Jill Underly who's seeking a second term.

In the morning, Underly attended a child care press conference on the west side of Madison. She told CBS 58 she couldn't partake in the forum due to a scheduling conflict.

"I'm double-booked today," she said. "I'm also at the UW Board of Regents meeting, so I'm on a break and will pop back over there."

Underly serves on the UW board of regents. WisPolitics asked Underly for an alternative date for the forum, but her campaign did not respond.

As for future debates, Underly said she would "absolutely" participate in those after the primary.

Candidate Interviews

CBS 58 profiled each of the three candidates over the last few weeks.

You can learn more about Underly, Kinser, and Wright vision and priorities for DPI during our sit-down interviews.