MADISON -- A divided Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling has dealt Gov. Scott Walker a loss, upholding a ruling that keeps the state education secretary independent.
The 4-3 decision released Wednesday preserves the powers of the state superintendent of public instruction.
The court's conservative majority was split on whether to overturn its unanimous ruling from 20 years ago that had solidified the state superintendent's independence as head of the Department of Public Instruction.
Ultimately, the court rejected arguments made by Republican Attorney General Brad Schimel to overturn the decision.
Current superintendent Tony Evers had opposed overturning the law, saying the case before the court was about preserving the office's role as a nonpartisan constitutional officer in charge of implementing and overseeing education policy.
Spokesman for Evers and DOJ had no immediate comment.
