Last week I posted a blog about the state teachers union’s early endorsement of Sen. Kelda Roys in the Democratic primary to be held in August. Roys responded to that post, which was, in part, critical of both her and WEAC. I hope readers will join me in appreciating the time she took to do so.
Here is her complete and unedited response:
I appreciate the opportunity to give your readers a fuller picture of the WEAC endorsement, because it’s a consequential one and I want to make sure your readers correctly understand my record and my positions
On the endorsement itself: WEAC interviewed all seven Democrats (Tiffany was invited but didn’t respond), and their PAC committee and statewide board backed me overwhelmingly. It wasn’t a close call. I earned it because of my record, my experience, and my detailed plans for winning this race and governing effectively. The timing was strategic: in a crowded primary, an early signal from the state’s largest union matters. It tells Democrats that they shouldn’t wait and end up with a weaker nominee or governor, they should get behind the candidate who is best able to both win and govern.
On education policy: the field isn’t nearly as unified as your post suggested. Candidates differ meaningfully on school funding, vouchers, depth of knowledge, and voting records. Several are pro-voucher; others won’t say. Most have stayed silent on recent budgets that shortchanged public schools. I didn’t. I spoke out and voted against those budgets, particularly the abysmal special education reimbursement rates. I am not 100% in lockstep with any organization, including WEAC, but I definitely believe that public education is the foundation of our state, our economy, and our democracy, and will govern that way.
As for the suggestion that I’d “just throw more money at schools without accountability,” that’s never been my position. I regularly say that money is not all our schools need to succeed – but they can’t thrive with continued funding cuts decade after decade. I’m a Madison public school graduate. I have five kids who were, are, or will be, in Madison public schools. I’m in public schools all around this state nearly every week and have seen firsthand how 15 years of inflation-adjusted funding cuts have hollowed our once great public education system. What I got 30-40 years ago is not what our kids are getting today. The numbers are stark: students today receive an average of $3,300 less per year in state aid than students received in 2009. Test scores have fallen. Property taxes have risen as voters try to keep the lights on and their neighborhood schools open. I want to reverse that AND I want real accountability alongside it.
My record reflects that balance. I voted for Act 20 because reading proficiency is foundational for any kids’ success. I co-authored a stronger, bell-to-bell cell phone ban than the one that became law. I’ve supported rigorous advanced learning opportunities and pushed back on the over-reliance on EdTech, and I voted to criminalize grooming and reform DPI to protect kids. I’ve worked across the aisle to achieve reforms that are good for kids, and opposed those that aren’t.
On vouchers: I’m not calling for immediate elimination but we are spending nearly $700 million each year on unaccountable, discriminatory, non-transparent voucher programs that the evidence shows on balance perform no better than public schools. Almost all the voucher students outside of Milwaukee and Racine were already in private school at their parents’ expense — why should taxpayers subsidize wealthy parochial schools? The vast majority of parents choose public schools for their kids, and our taxes should not support schools where the teachers don’t have to be licensed, where kids with disabilities can be kicked out, and where teachers can be fired for being gay. My three-step plan to bring the voucher scheme to a responsible end keeps public money in public schools without displacing a single low-income child currently enrolled in voucher schools in Milwaukee or Racine. I’m happy to walk through the details anytime.
Finally, on the notion that maybe WEAC endorsed me to curry favor: it’s worth noting they didn’t endorse me in 2012, 2018, or 2020 — and I kept fighting for public education anyway. I always do what I think is right for kids. That’s what earned this endorsement, and that’s what I’ll bring to the Governor’s office. Thanks again.
— Kelda
Yellow Stripes & Dead Armadillos 