Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, a Republican known for busting up the state’s teachers’ union and his expansion of private school choice in the state’s urban areas, touted his love for public schools during his state of the state address Tuesday.
“I love public schools,” Walker said. “Both of my sons graduated from public schools in the City of Wauwatosa. I graduated from a public school in the small town of Delavan. And my nieces are attending public schools today. I want strong public schools. In fact, I want great schools for every student in this state.”
Walker said he’s proposing in his budget to increase rural school technology spending from $35.5 million to $52 million. He also said he’d increase school spending but didn’t define by how much.
“It is a moral imperative that every child has access to a great education. But it is also an economic imperative as we need to grow the workforce in Wisconsin,” Walker said.
Meanwhile, the state’s superintendent Tony Evers, who has disagreed with Walker on several key issues including the powers the state superintendent should have, is in a pitched re-election battle with two opponents.
Candidate John Humphries proposed Thursday for the state to establish a statewide board of education. Such a proposal would require legislative approval and a statewide vote. The other candidates are Beloit superintendent Lowell Holtz and Racine high school teacher Rick Melcher.