Jill Underly told five big lies last week. Unfortunately, as much as we would like to ignore misinformation and hyperbole (we are more focused on the issues), sometimes you just need to set the record straight.

Just days after the primary election for DPI Superintendent, DNC Chairman Ken Martin stood alongside Underly and listened to her make blatantly false statements about Brittany Kinser. Amid massive failures that have put her on defense and calling for backup, Underly must be desperate to retain power if her blatant lies in the latest Journal Sentinel story are any indication.

Jill Underly has lost the plot. Instead of focusing on the real issues facing Wisconsin kids and their families – like reading proficiency and college readiness – she’s more focused on politicizing a nonpartisan race and attacking her opponent with blatant lies to distract from the fact that her gross incompetence and partisanship are hurting families and students. The reality is that Underly cannot run on her record of failing our kids and lowering standards. Brittany Kinser is committed to putting students and parents first by restoring high standards and ensuring every Wisconsin child can read, write, and do math well, so they can go to college, get a meaningful job, or master a trade.

LIE #5: Brittany Kinser Isn’t Qualified

THE TRUTH: Brittany Kinser held a Wisconsin administrator license for more than 10 years and is more than qualified to be superintendent; with 25 years of experience as a public school special education teacher, award-winning public school principal, and literacy consultant, she also served as CEO of a Milwaukee education advocacy nonprofit, City Forward Collective. Kinser received the “Beating the Odds” award from then-State Superintendent Tony Evers for her work in Wisconsin. Brittany’s dedication to creating transformative educational opportunities is matched by her academic credentials. She holds a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Columbia University Teachers College, a master’s degree in Designing Science Curriculum from the Illinois Institute of Technology, and a bachelor’s degree in Special Education from Eastern Illinois University.

LIE #4: Brittany Kinser has Only Lobbied for Voucher Schools

THE TRUTH: Brittany Kinser has never worked in a private school or been hired to lobby specifically on their behalf. Kinser has spent the last 25 years as a champion for children as a public school special education teacher, award-winning public school principal, and literacy consultant. While serving as CEO of a Milwaukee education advocacy nonprofit, City Forward Collective, she was a registered lobbyist during the 2023-2024 legislative session. She advocated for increased funding for ALL schools in a bipartisan bill that was supported by Republicans and Democrats and signed into law by Governor Evers. The organization also lobbied on other legislative proposals and topics.

LIE #3: Brittany Kinser Would Put Public Schools at Risk

THE TRUTH: That’s rich coming from Jill Underly, who not only sent her kids to private school because of the conditions of Wisconsin public schools, but says she has “no regrets” about allowing Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) to languish academically and financially – forcing Governor Evers to step in and request an audit of the entire school district. Brittany Kinser lives in the Milwaukee area, has spent her life working for public schools, and supports the right of parents and students to choose the schools that work best for them!

LIE #2: Brittany Kinser Took Resources Away From Public Schools

THE TRUTH: As previously mentioned, Brittany Kinser worked with lawmakers on BOTH sides of the aisle during the 2023-2024 legislative session as a registered lobbyist for City Forward Collective, where she advocated for increased funding for ALL schools. This bipartisan legislation was supported and signed into law by Governor Tony Evers, resulting in close to $1B in new, spendable dollars for public schools in Wisconsin. It’s a far cry from Underly, who has been publicly chastised by both the GOP-controlled legislature and Governor Evers.

LIE #1: Public Schools Will Decline Under Brittany Kinser’s Watch

THE TRUTH: Historically, Wisconsin kids are worse off today than they were before Jill Underly became DPI Superintendent – and Wisconsin parents, teachers, and school leaders see it every day. Only 3 out of 10 children are career- or college-ready, and ninety-five percent of Black students in Milwaukee cannot read at grade level, thanks to Jill Underly. In fact, when the 2022 NAEP scores were published, Underly received a mostly false rating in PolitiFact for misrepresenting the results in her own press release. Furthermore, children in Milwaukee are being poisoned as a result of high lead levels in their schools. Brittany Kinser is committed to restoring both safety and high standards so we can ensure every kid can read, write, and do math so they can go to college, get a meaningful job, or master a trade. Kinser already has a plan to ensure 95 percent of Wisconsin kids can read at grade level, which includes getting back to the science of reading and phonics.