Burmaster Wins Second Term as State Superintendent
State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster won re-election by a large
margin on Tuesday (April 5, 2005), capturing approximately 62% of the
vote. Her challenger, State Rep. Gregg Underheim, received 37%.
 |
Elizabeth Burmaster |
WEAC members recommended Burmaster's re-election because of her dedication
to providing great schools for Wisconsin's children. Since her first term
began in 2001, Burmaster made a top priority of closing the achievement
gap between poor and minority children and white students by working to
expand the SAGE class-size reduction program, 4-year-old kindergarten,
and school breakfast programs.
Burmaster has also demonstrated commitment to the state's teachers
by implementing the Wisconsin Quality Educator Initiative, the new teacher
licensing program known as PI 34. The program ensures that Wisconsin’s
teachers remain among the best in the nation.
"Libby has brought energy, vision and an unwavering commitment
to our state's children and educators to the office of superintendent,"
WEAC President Stan Johnson said. "Wisconsin voters have sent a
message loud and clear. They value public education and want it to remain
a priority. We look forward to working with Libby during her second
term and will continue to collaborate with her in the effort to provide
great schools for every child."
With the election behind her, Burmaster said she will focus her attention
on the state budget. "I know that as state superintendent, I will
be working very hard with parents, educators, community and business
leaders and with the Legislature so that we can get a state budget passed
that reflects the values of Wisconsin citizens," she said.
Burmaster played a key role in helping Governor Jim Doyle craft his
proposal for the 2005-07 budget, which includes an additional $850 million
in state aid for public schools, plus additional investments in SAGE,
4-year-old kindergarten, transportation funding for rural districts,
and elimination of the Qualified Economic Offer (QEO) law. "The
fact the governor has adopted so many of her proposals in his budget
is evidence that she is having a major impact at the state level,"
Johnson said.
With 25 years of experience in education, Burmaster has served as a
principal, assistant principal, district fine arts coordinator, and
music and drama teacher for the Madison Metropolitan School District.
She received WEAC's recommendation after she was interviewed by WEAC's
political action committee, which consists of members from each congressional
district, and won a statewide vote by members who contribute to WEAC's
PAC.
In the state's largest school district, two candidates recommended
by the Milwaukee Teachers' Education Association won re-election. MPS
Board President Peter Blewett and Vice President Charlene Hardin were
elected to a second and third term, respectively.
"For me, the message in my district is that the people reaffirmed
their belief in public education and we are going to continue to improve
Milwaukee Public Schools," Blewett said in an interview with the
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Posted April 6, 2005