State Sen. Roger Roth (R-Appleton) and state Rep. Shae Sortwell (R-Two Rivers) are proposing an amendment to the Wisconsin Constitution that would turn the state superintendent of public instruction, treasurer and secretary of state into Cabinet positions appointed to serve at the pleasure of the governor. The amendment also would make the treasurer the head of the state Department of Revenue, eliminating the agency secretary.
Currently, each of those constitutional offices is directly elected by a statewide ballot. The state superintendent heads the Wisconsin Dept. of Public Instruction. The WASB has two long-standing resolutions that support keeping the state superintendent as an elected position:
5.20 Elected State Superintendent
The WASB supports the present system of an elected state superintendent who will serve as the head of the state education agency, supervise public education, implement laws affecting public education and be answerable to the electorate. (1975-7)
5.21 Eligibility Requirements for State Superintendent
The WASB favors eligibility requirements for the state superintendent which will qualify the person for the office to serve as a leader for public education. (1972-2)
