WILL

School board elections have a big impact on the day-to-day lives of Wisconsin families. Yet they are decided in the least democratic elections. Today, WILL is releasing a new policy report with a proposal to solve this problem.

Spring elections have an average turnout of 28% in the last decade, compared to Fall elections where turnout averages more than 66%. In 2024, turnout was 73%.  This means about 45% fewer Wisconsinites have their voices heard on school boards.

Report:

The News: In our new report, Enhancing Democracy: The Benefits of Holding School Board Elections in the Fall, the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) highlights how moving school board races to November could bolster public interest in local school board governance. Currently held in April, these “off-cycle” elections suffer from low voter turnout and often lack representative engagement. Shifting these elections to November would align them with higher-turnout cycles, fostering broader public involvement and more balanced representation. 

The Quotes: WILL Research Director, Will Flanders, stated, “People across the political spectrum should support the goal of increasing participation in our local elections. Local school boards make decisions every day that often impact our lives more than who occupies the White House. By moving these elections to November, we can ensure more voters can have a voice in these decisions, ensuring greater accountability.” 

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Our govt’s decision to remove all subject area requirementsfor teachers will make things worse.

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2017: West High Reading Interventionist Teacher’s Remarks to the School Board on Madison’s Disastrous Reading Results 

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“An emphasis on adult employment”

Wisconsin Public Policy Forum Madison School District Report[PDF]

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