Transparency for Misconduct in Schools
The Assembly Committee on Government Operations, Accountability, and Transparency held a hearing this week and heard testimony from the Department of Public Instruction, attempting to address serious allegations of mishandling and shielding over 200 cases of sexual misconduct and grooming in Wisconsin’s public schools. Superintendent Underly initially refused to comment, citing an alleged conflict of interest. Her eventual letter attempting to quell the allegations contained misleading claims, and unfortunately, she did not feel it was necessary to attend the hearing.
DPI initially claimed that voluntary license surrenders were permanent when their own files indicate that at least eight educators have surrendered their licenses since 2018 and were allowed to reapply later, often within just 1 to 3 years. They also claimed not to conceal information, but their database omits the reason why a teacher’s license was revoked or surrendered. DPI claimed to report these cases to a national database, but it is only visible to other state agencies, not the public. Lastly, Superintendent Underly wrote that DPI notifies districts when it opens an investigation, but there is no clear rule for also notifying parents. A teacher could be under investigation for months, and families might never know.
During the hearing, the department cited statutory vagueness as the reason for the shielding of these cases. Notably, they could not point to any prior requests to update the law to solve the issue. Instead, the fault was generated immediately after it was revealed in the press that so many cases had been shielded. The committee ultimately recommended the matter to the Assembly Committee on Organization to get an opinion from the Attorney General.
All parents and taxpayers deserve transparency regarding the handling of these situations. The legislature stands ready to implement necessary measures to ensure appropriate management in the future.
Accountability on Opioid Settlement Funding
The Joint Finance Committee (JFC) co-chairs communicated this week that the Department of Health Services (DHS) is exhibiting a troubling delay in submitting its Opioid Settlement Plan. Under current law enacted by Governor Evers, DHS is required to deliver its annual Opioid Settlement Plan to the JFC by April 1 for review and approval. We’re now more than six months past that deadline, and DHS has not only failed to submit the plan but refuses to share even basic details about its contents.
Wisconsin is set to receive approximately $15 million in opioid settlement dollars this year for prevention, treatment, recovery services, counseling, medication-assisted treatment, and community support programs that have proven effective in curbing addiction’s toll. The co-chairs are committed to reviewing and approving a distribution plan to support Wisconsinites who have been significantly affected by this issue.
The legislature needs transparency and accountability from DHS regarding the future of these essential funds. The JFC gathered significant input and swiftly approved the first three opioid settlement plans, so I urge the Department of Health Services to submit a plan so Wisconsin can maintain progress on this issue.
National Drug Take Back Day
National Drug Take Back Day is this Saturday, October 25th. This biannual event has participation from law enforcement agencies and state and local health departments in an effort to encourage Wisconsinites to dispose of unwanted and unused medications in a safe and responsible manner.
Utilizing these resources can work to prevent harm and abuses of over-the-counter medications and prescription drugs. This includes keeping these substances out of our environment and our water supply by handing them to appropriate authorities to be properly disposed of.
Collection sites in and around the Fourth Assembly District happening this Saturday are:
- Bellin Health Oconto Hospital and Medical Center; 820 Arbutus Ave, Oconto, WI 54153, from 10:00am-12:00pm
- HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital; 855 S Main St, Oconto Falls, WI 54154, from 10:00am-12:00pm
- HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center; 1726 Shawano Ave, Green Bay, WI 54303, from 10:00am-1:00pm
See the guidelines for items and locations for all collection sites here: https://www.dhs.
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Contact Me
My office is always available to help with any state-related questions or concerns you may have. You can reach my office at (608) 237-9104, or email me at Rep.Steffen@legis.wisconsin.
