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DPI Chief Skips Wisconsin Hearing as Oversight Intensifies on Teacher Misconduct Cases

After reporting that some accused educators left probes then returned to classrooms, policymakers pressed for transparency and reforms.

Overview

  • State Superintendent Jill Underly did not attend the Assembly hearing on teacher misconduct investigations, opting for a previously scheduled Indiana University alumni award event.
  • Rep. Amanda Nedweski convened the session to probe cases highlighted by the Capital Times, including about 200 investigations from 2018–2023 in which teachers resigned during grooming or sexual-misconduct probes.
  • The Department of Public Instruction countered elements of the coverage in a letter requesting corrections and said it supports updating statutes and modernizing licensing systems.
  • The Institute for Reforming Government filed a public-records request seeking details on DPI’s handling of licenses for educators accused of misconduct and grooming.
  • Pressure expanded with a letter from five Wisconsin U.S. House members seeking answers, a Senate request for Underly’s appearance, and a separate call for her resignation from Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann.