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Superintendent candidates debate school choice, state funding

Election Day is April 4
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The two men vying to be the next Superintendent of Public Instruction met for a debate Tuesday at Marquette Law School one week before the election.

Incumbent Dr. Tony Evers and his challenger Dr. Lowell Holtz discussed the issues asked by moderator Alan Borsuk.

Of the issues in the hour debate, school choice and vouchers took up a majority of the time. Evers, a long time opponent of expanding the program, said in the 26 years the program has been in Wisconsin there has been no discernible difference.

"I think we have to make sure that our public schools are not harmed financially by the expansion of vouchers," Evers said.

Holtz said voucher schools have shown success over the years, adding, "Vouchers exist in the first place because we were failing too many kids. Our voucher and choice schools, you can't say they don't make a difference."

The two also discussed Gov.  Scott Walker's budget, which adds more money to the state's school budget than ever before according Walker. At $11.5 billion dollars it is an increase of $649 million, according to the governor's office.

The election for state superintendent takes place Tuesday April, 4.

For more information about the candidates, click below to read their biographies:

Dr. Tony Evers

Dr. Lowell Holtz

 

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