Wisconsin is grappling with a profound crisis of trust following revelations that over 200 investigations into teacher sexual assault and grooming were kept from public scrutiny. This shocking lack of transparency has ignited outrage among state lawmakers, who are now demanding immediate answers and systemic reform from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to safeguard children.
A bombshell report has plunged Wisconsin into a deepening controversy, exposing how the state’s education system permitted over 200 investigations into serious allegations of teacher sexual misconduct and grooming to remain concealed from the public eye. This staggering discovery, detailed in a report by The Capital Times, has been unequivocally labeled a “moral disaster” by legislative leaders, prompting an urgent and intense demand for accountability from DPI Superintendent Jill Underly and the department.
The Unveiling of a Hidden Pattern
Between 2018 and 2023, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction investigated more than 200 cases involving educators—including teachers, aides, substitutes, and administrators—for accusations of sexual misconduct or grooming towards students. Crucially, these investigations were conducted and often concluded without any public disclosure. This pattern of secrecy has come under severe scrutiny, raising profound questions about the state’s commitment to child safety and institutional transparency.
The legislative response has been swift and unified. Senate Committee on Education Chair John Jagler and Vice Chair Romaine Quinn issued a scathing letter to Superintendent Underly, demanding a comprehensive response within 24 hours and her personal testimony before the committee. Their letter unequivocally stated, “This simply cannot continue.”
The outrage extends to other prominent figures. U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, a Republican candidate for governor, criticized the situation as “failed leadership” and called for a transparent system for parents to access information about educator misconduct. Similarly, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, expressed his profound anger, asserting that the DPI had “chosen to protect their abusers rather than the children.”
Connecting the Dots: Broader Implications of Educator Misconduct
While the focus is currently on the DPI’s handling of these 200 investigations, this incident shines a spotlight on the broader issue of educator misconduct in Wisconsin. Recent high-profile cases underscore the varied and serious nature of these allegations:
- South Milwaukee High School Incident: A South Milwaukee High School teacher was placed on administrative leave following an unspecified “incident” with a student. Allegations of a physical altercation surfaced, leading to an arrest. The school district, citing privacy and the integrity of an active investigation, refused to elaborate on the nature of the encounter, mirroring the lack of transparency now under fire at the DPI. Counselors were made available to students impacted by the news, highlighting the emotional toll such events take on the school community.
- Milwaukee Human Trafficking and Sexual Assault Charges: In an even more egregious case, Christian Mothershead, a Milwaukee Hamilton High School teacher, was charged with human trafficking and sexual assault. He allegedly brought a mother and son from the Philippines to the U.S. under false pretenses, then subjected them to forced labor and sexual assault, treating them as “servants.” This case, which involved extreme abuse of power and control, resulted in Mothershead facing a maximum of 90 years in prison for his alleged crimes. He was placed on unpaid leave by Milwaukee Public Schools, which cited an ongoing investigation for their inability to comment further.
These incidents, though distinct, collectively highlight the critical importance of a robust, transparent, and publicly accountable system for investigating and disciplining educators. When such a system is perceived to be lacking, public trust erodes, and the safety of children is fundamentally compromised.
The Legislature’s Demand for Answers
The letter from the Senate Committee on Education outlined 12 specific questions for Superintendent Underly, seeking clarity on the DPI’s operations and rationale behind the concealed investigations. These questions encapsulate the core concerns driving the current push for reform:
- When was Superintendent Underly personally made aware of the more than 200 sexual assault cases under investigation?
- What is the “conflict of interest” that prevented her from being interviewed for the story, and why shouldn’t the state’s top education official be directly responsible for addressing child safety and educator misconduct?
- Was local law enforcement contacted for any of these allegations, and what policies dictate when law enforcement is notified?
- What statutory or administrative authority permits the DPI to close cases through license surrender without a formal finding of misconduct?
- Are local school districts notified when the DPI begins an investigation, and what are the guidelines for immediate notification and record-keeping for cases involving resignation or license surrender?
- What safeguards are in place to prevent educators who resign or surrender licenses from reapplying at a later date?
- Are future school districts warned when these staff members apply for other jobs?
- Why are disciplinary outcomes for educators not published transparently, akin to other professional licensing boards in Wisconsin?
- If inadequate record-keeping is due to lack of funding, as claimed by a DPI spokesman, why was this not addressed in the last budget request or in the State of Education Speech?
- Of the 416 teachers investigated, 207 have reportedly kept their licenses and continue to work with children. What standard is used to exonerate those under investigation?
- Does the DPI possess a written policy detailing how these cases are identified and how the department takes action, and can these records be provided?
These questions cut to the heart of accountability, process, and transparency. Critics, including Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, have vehemently rejected the DPI’s alleged attempt to shift blame to “lack of funding,” asserting that ensuring child safety must be the department’s paramount priority, regardless of financial constraints. He emphasized that the focus should be on “stopping this revolving door of sexual abusers from entering and remaining in our schools,” as reported by The Center Square.
The Path Forward: Restoring Trust and Ensuring Safety
The unfolding events in Wisconsin serve as a stark reminder of the continuous need for vigilance and robust oversight in institutions entrusted with the care and education of children. The push from legislative leaders for a full accounting from the DPI underscores a broader societal demand for transparency, especially when the welfare of the most vulnerable is at stake.
For the community, this controversy is not merely a political battle but a deeply personal concern about the safety of their children within school environments. The collective outcry and detailed demands from lawmakers signify a critical juncture for Wisconsin’s Department of Public Instruction. The path forward will require not only answers to the immediate questions but also a fundamental re-evaluation and overhaul of policies to ensure that such a “moral disaster” is never repeated, and that accountability is unequivocally prioritized over secrecy.
