The seven candidates who have filed papers expressing interest in running for the DPI’s top post have until January 5 to gather at least 2,000 to 4,000 nomination signatures each.
You may be asked to sign nomination papers for a candidate. Remember, you can sign only one candidate’s paperwork. The nomination form has to be presented to you by a person who will also verify that you signed it, and makes sure your information is included with your signature. Don’t sign unattended nomination forms.
If more than two candidates return nomination forms, there will be a primary election on February 16.
WCRIS is nonpartisan and does not engage in electioneering or electoral politics. We advocate on issues only and work with elected officials from all parties. The following is for information only, with thanks to WisPolitics. The Candidates seeking nomination for the non-partisan job are, in alphabetical order:
Sheila Briggs, is an assistant DPI state superintendent. Says she’s running to close the state’s student achievement gap and to support full funding for public education. She has said she would evaluate the voucher program, though hasn’t called for outright elimination.
Read more.
Joe Fenrick, is a Fond du Lac High School science teacher and UW-Oshkosh geology lecturer. Says he would lead the state’s public education system “with the perspective and commitment of a teacher.” He also serves on the Fond du Lac County Board of Supervisors. Fenrick’s campaign site calls for transparent, predictable school budgets, internet access for every student, and an emphasis on teaching over testing. Read more.
Troy Gunderson, is an adjunct professor of school finance at Viterbo University, La Crosse. He has 35 years experience in education, from teacher to superintendent and hails from a family of public school teachers. He promises, if elected, to “give something back” to schools. He would advocate for increased early childhood education among 3- and 4-year-olds. He also would offer programs and new incentives to expand the number and quality of school teachers. Read more.
Shandowlyon Hendricks, is a former DPI staffer with 25 years experience in education. Hendricks is an advocate for data-driven decision-making and eliminating achievement gaps in the state. She claimed in a 2016 article to have found Milwaukee charter school early childhood education programs to be effective in emotional and behavioral development, but less effective in academics. Read more.
Deborah Kerr, was the Brown Deer School District superintendent from 2007 to June. She has 40 years experience in rural and suburban Milwaukee school districts. While superintendent, she prioritized closing the district’s student achievement gap. She has experience in private, charter and public schools, and has worked as a teacher and a coach. Read more.
Steve Krull, is a former Air Force instructor and current elementary school teacher in MPS. He says he would focus his efforts as state superintendent on ending Wisconsin’s teacher shortage by increasing salaries and offering a stipend to student teachers, and stop the endless use of “silver bullet” solutions that drain staff and don’t work. Read more.
Jill Underly, is superintendent of the Pecatonica Area School District and has 20 years experience in education from teaching high school social studies to working at DPI. She’s an advocate for early childhood education, regardless of zip code, and maximum state funding for all public schools, and opposes expansion of the state’s voucher programs. Read more.
