Calls For 'a New Wisconsin Promise'

From the Department of Public Instruction

Elizabeth Burmaster took her oath of office July 2, 2001 and became Wisconsin's new State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson swore in Burmaster at the State Capitol in Madison.

The new leader of Wisconsin 's schools stood in front of a statute of former Wisconsin Governor and U.S. Senator Robert La Follette, and spoke to a packed audience in the capitol rotunda saying, "Today we come together to celebrate a new beginning in our state's rich and proud progressive tradition."

Burmaster called on the citizens of the state to join her in making a "New Wisconsin Promise" to our children and education.

"Together, we can make this a state where we break down the greatest barriers to education, a state where hope is alive for every Wisconsin child to have a better life, a state where we make the commitment to lift the hope-filled hearts of our children up to their dreams," Burmaster said.

"Together, we can make this a state where we recognize and appreciate the important contributions our teachers make in the classrooms, in our great schools, and in our communities."

Burmaster was elected in April with 60% of the statewide vote, winning 71 of 72 counties in Wisconsin.

"The people of Wisconsin sent a message, loud and clear, that they wanted a state superintendent of public instruction who was independent, who was accountable to them. I stand here today ready to serve you, the people of Wisconsin, as the independent, chief advocate for our children and their education," Burmaster said. "I promise I will serve you well at this critical time when we must come together around our shared value and responsibility to put our children first."

The new superintendent also took the opportunity to weigh in on the current budget battle in Madison.

"Together, we can make this a state where our public servants balance the budget with our value to put our children and their education first," Burmaster said. "Our New Wisconsin Promise raises us to the higher ground of common effort through community, not division through partisan politics."

Department of Public Instruction Web site

Posted July 12, 2001