Wisconsin Supreme Court deals Walker loss on education case--GREAT news!

[riversedge]

http://www.wkow.com/story/32002938/2016/05/18/wisconsin-supreme-court-deals-walker-loss-on-education-case

UPDATE: Wisconsin Supreme Court deals Walker loss on education case

3

Posted: May 18, 2016 7:41 AM CST
Updated: May 18, 2016 11:31 AM CST


MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A divided Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling dealt Gov. Scott Walker a rare loss in the high court Wednesday, upholding a ruling that keeps the state education secretary independent.

Justices Michael Gableman and David Prosser split with their fellow conservative colleagues, siding with the courts two liberal justices to render a 4-3 decision upholding a ruling from 20 years ago that had solidified the state superintendent's independence as head of the Department of Public Instruction (DPI).

Gov. Walker signed a law in 2011 that would have given his administration greater power in writing administrative rules on education, a function solely preserved for DPI under this ruling.

Ultimately, the court rejected arguments made by Republican Attorney General Brad Schimel to overturn the decision.

Current DPI Superintendent Tony Evers had opposed overturning the law, saying the case before the court was about preserving the office's role as a nonpartisan constitutional officer in charge of implementing and overseeing education policy.

“Today’s ruling is a victory for public education and the future of our state. It is a reflection of the value our public schools provide to communities across Wisconsin and the importance of having an independent state superintendent oversee that system," said Supt. Evers. “Despite the rhetoric suggesting otherwise, this case was about maintaining the administrative rule-making authority that is shared between the Legislature and the nonpartisan, elected state superintendent. That relationship has existed since the foundation of our state and has contributed to the success of our public school system.

Gov. Walker's office issued a short statement on the ruling...............

[dragonlady]

1. Unfortunately, and I hate to write this ...

A report I heard on the radio said the opinion gave hints to the legislature on how to get the effect they wanted in a different way (the details were not explained). So watch for that to happen sometime in the future. We can't seem to catch a break in this state.

[midnight]

2. Former GOP Lawmaker and Walker Contributor Gets State Testing Contract

I wonder how this current court decision will impact this contract?


http://www.wisdc.org/pr051616.php


"A former GOP lawmaker who contributed $10,000 to Republican Gov. Scott Walker has won a state contract to create and administer a new test for Wisconsin elementary and middle school pupils.

The contract, was awarded to Data Recognition Corp., of Maple Grove, Minn. The company originally bid $63 million last fall to develop and administer the test for the next 10 years, but signed a $79.8 million contract in March after negotiations with the state to add more testing. The new Wisconsin Forward Exam will replace the short-lived Badger Exam. The new test, which state wants to use next spring, will test students in social studies for grades three through eight and 10; English and math in grades three through eight; and in science for grades four, eight and 10.

The company is led by former GOP Senate Minority Leader Susan Engeleiter, who served in the state Senate in the 1980s. She unsuccessfully ran for the U.S. Senate against Democrat Herb Kohl in 1988, but was appointed later that year to lead the U.S. Small Business Administration by former President George H.W. Bush.

The bidding process was handled by Walker’s Department of Administration and the bids were evaluated by a team comprised of officials from the Department of Public Instruction (DPI), which approved contract negotiations with Engeleiter’s company. DPI’s secretary, Tony Evers, who is the state school superintendent, is chosen by voters in a statewide election and is not part of the governor’s cabinet."

[HelenWheels]

3. Is Prosser worried about his place in history?

Now that he is retiring he may feel he doesn't have to kiss Walker's behind.