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MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - Wisconsin’s top education official Jill Underly outlined solutions to better protect students from teacher sexual misconduct on Tuesday, including a new database to make it easier to look up teacher licenses that have been revoked or suspended. “The Department does not cover up misconduct,” State Superintendent Underly told reporters ahead of the hearing. The scrutiny follows a Capital Times report that revealed 200 educators between 2018 and 2023 were investigated for sexual misconduct or grooming in Wisconsin. “We didn’t start this,” said State Sen. Robert Quinn, R-Birchwood, during the hearing. “It was a bomb on all of us.” State Sen. John Jagler, R-Watertown, criticized the department’s communication with legislators. “I appreciate the reaction and your recommendations but never has yourself or anyone from the Department of Education come to us,” Jagler said. Underly requested that DPI be granted subpoena powers for misconduct investigations. DPI is also asking Wisconsin lawmakers to clearly define grooming as a crime so police can have more investigative authority. “At the end of the day, this is about one thing, keeping kids safe. Student safety is not political,” Underly said. The hearing marked the second time lawmakers have questioned how DPI handles sexual misconduct and grooming investigations. On Oct. 23, Underly drew criticism for missing an Assembly hearing on the issue, despite being invited to speak. A new bill, authored by Rep. Amanda Nedweski, R-Pleasant Prairie, and Sen. Jesse James, R-Thorp was also circulated on Tuesday. It would make grooming a child for sexual activity a felony in Wisconsin. Click here to download the WMTV15 News app or our WMTV15 First Alert weather app.
