(The Center Square) – Wisconsin’s state superintendent of schools is once again demanding the legislature release money earmarked for literacy.
Superintendent Jill Underly sent a letter to members of the state’s Joint Finance Committee, telling lawmakers they need to send her the $50 million for state’s new literacy program.
“I have repeatedly called for the Joint Committee on Finance to release this funding. I understand you have a concern about the governor’s partial veto, but the clear decision of the circuit court judge in that case has now once again made it clear you have the obligation to provide these funds to DPI,” Underly wrote. “I know we agree that the children of Wisconsin need this critical support to learn to read, and we need to support the Wisconsin districts with the greatest early literacy needs.”
The money has been in limbo since Republican lawmakers approved it last year, but Gov. Tony Evers vetoed their plan to spend it.
Act 20, as the literacy law is called, is designed to change how Wisconsin schools teach students how to read.
It represents a new focus on students in kindergarten through the fourth grade and was supposed to be in effect this school year.
Evers partially vetoed the plan earlier this year. Republican lawmakers then sued.
In August, a Dane County judge sided with the governor, and said his partial veto was valid, but the judge refused a request from Underly and the state’s Department of Public Instruction to immediately release the $50 million.
Lawmakers say they want the money spent on literacy but also say Evers and Underly have said they have their own plans for the money.
Underly, on Monday, said the legislature needs to turn the money over now.
“Now is the time to keep your promise to Wisconsin families. Now is the time to take action and release the funding,” Underly added.
Lawmakers are waiting for a ruling from the Wisconsin Supreme Court on the extent of Evers’ veto powers, as well as a decision in Evers’ appeal in the literacy funding case.
