Governor Tony Evers vetoed Assembly Bill 446 that would have replaced the current way school districts address literacy. The bill would have implemented a three-tiered approach for students in 4K through second grade. Kari Baumann of Baileys Harbor, who testified in favor of the bill, says 1st District Representative Joel Kitchens informed her that Governor Evers had vetoed the bill on Friday afternoon. Having a son who battles with dyslexia, Baumann says she is disappointed in Friday’s decision.
Baumann is hopeful that a new bill can be reissued and passed by Governor Evers in the future. The defeated bill had its opponents, including the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, the Wisconsin Association of School Boards, and the Wisconsin Association of School Administrators. They said the bill is unfunded to be able to pay for the extra staffing and resources necessary.