Until a few days ago, closing the federal Department of Education was something President Trump was going to do sometime in the near future. Given his Executive Order “Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, Communities” on March 20, the future is getting real close. Although the Department of Education does not directly educate students, this action will significantly impact state departments of education such as Wisconsin’s Department of Public Instruction. There are three main points in this executive action. The first is “Dismantling Bureaucracy and Empowering Families”; the second is “Returning Education to Parents and Communities”; while the third is simply “Fulfilling Promises.” Maybe you have heard that third point before – “Promises Made Promises Kept!”

There are a couple of places within the Department of Education where money directly involves individuals. The President and the Secretary of Education have both made it very clear that these programs will be moved to other departments within the Cabinet and in those cases, life will continue.

What is being closed is the bloated bureaucracy that has spent trillions of dollars since its inception in 1979 ($200 billion during COVID-19) only to watch American education deteriorate. Math and reading scores have plunged despite spending increases of 245% since the 1970s.
Another change but at the state level, is just a few days ago the Wisconsin State Senate passed a bill to raise educational standards to pre-pandemic levels. Remember, the State Senate represents the will of the people, not the educational bureaucracy currently running the show. This means the citizens of Wisconsin are highly concerned about the state of education and want their legislators to act.

In Wisconsin we are in the closing days of an election for the State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SSPI) where we need to elect an educational leader that will prevent confusion turning into chaos.

One candidate is Dr. Jill Underly, the incumbent, perhaps best known for lowering the test standards, so it looks like Wisconsin’s students are doing better; but other indicators prove that performance has not improved one bit. She apparently lacks a working relationship with the Legislature and lacks a good relationship with the Governor – himself a former SSPI. One teachers union was so displeased with the incumbent that they drafted Jeff Wright, a Superintendent of Schools, to run against her.

The challenger, Brittany Kinser, is a confidant and competent proven educational leader with a wealth of experience. She has two Master’s degrees and a background in Special Education. She has taught in Wisconsin and elsewhere, has first-hand experience in the City of Milwaukee educational environment, is an award winning educator, and the CEO of a non-profit educational organization. As such and as a literacy advocate, she has lobbied both sides on the aisle of the Capitol in Madison. Kinser will restore high standards, support school choice, and champion parental engagement.

Kinser will work to find creative solutions to the teacher shortage as her campaign card states, “We have to do better because our kids deserve SO MUCH MORE!”

Kinser will leave no rock unturned to improve public education in Wisconsin. Again, as her campaign card reads “It is unacceptable that only 3 out of 10 students in Wisconsin are college or career ready.” The graduation rate may be high, but the bigger question is if these graduating students can read and do math at grade level?

While this office is non-partisan, meaning the candidates do not run under the banner of a major political party, Underly is a liberal Democrat being supported by the Democrat Party while Kinser is a moderate “Blue Dog” Democrat meaning she is a collaborative leader that works with both side of the aisle to serve all the citizens of the state.

I have seen Brittany Kinser a few times these past few months; in person and on news clips and interviews. It is apparent to me that she is the one Wisconsin needs to lead Wisconsin’s students into a bright and successful future. She has the attitude and aptitude to succeed. She has the education, experience, and enthusiasm to excel! She will be innovative and transparent. She is ready to meet the changing times in Wisconsin education head-on and make everyone the winner!
In comparison, the incumbent has had four years to prove her abilities and I –and many others-- think she has failed!

Join me in voting for Brittany Kinser for Wisconsin’s next State Superintendent of Public Instruction on (or before) April 1st. She will make Wisconsin proud!

EDITOR'S NOTE: Brittany Kinser sat down with us for a conversation as part of the CouleeConservatives.com Weekly Recap Podcast. You can listen here: