STETTIN, Wis. (WAOW) — The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction has released findings that have led state education experts to call the current state of education a crisis.
“Our public schools, our teachers and our education workforce are at risk,” state Superintendent Jill Underly said Thursday at a news conference at Stettin Elementary School.
About four in 10 first-year teachers leave the state or quit the profession within six years, according to the DPI report.
In Wisconsin, special education continues to feel the effects of low staffing levels.
Research in the report found that pay is the top reason for teachers to leave their jobs after the 2022-23 school year.
“We're hearing stories about teachers having to work second and third jobs and putting in a lot of work to pay the bills,” Underly said.
But the question of pay becomes how much school districts can pay their teachers, and that pay often comes from state funds.
“Our budget speaks to our priorities, so we understand there are a lot of priorities, and we talk a lot with our legislators, but other states are making those investments. If we can do it, why can't Wisconsin?'' said Wausau School District Superintendent Keith Hiltz.
Hiltz said the Wausau school district is attractive and competitive compared to other districts across the state, but is not immune to retention issues.
In the meantime, officials say the best thing families can do is show class and support for teachers and let lawmakers know they deserve more recognition. .
