State Sen. Darling Slams Evers' Proposal To Limit Charter Schools

FOX POINT, WI -- A proposal in Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers' biennial state budget calls for capping enrollment in Wisconsin's private voucher schools — and the provision is drawing sharp criticism from Republican lawmakers.

Under the proposal, Evers is going to propose freezing the number of students who can enroll in private voucher schools statewide until 2023. Evers will also propose suspending the creation of new charter schools until 2023 as well.

Evers' budget will be rolled out on Thursday.

State Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) issued the following statement:

"I don't see how Governor Evers could claim his budget is 'pro-kid' when it traps poor students in failing schools. For many students and families in Milwaukee, choice and charter schools are the only viable option for a chance at a quality education.

Tony Evers is shutting the door on their future by forcing kids to attend an under-performing school. A four-year ban, like he is proposing, will have long-term adverse effects on a child's education. They may never recover academically.

When Tony Evers ran DPI, his own report cards showed many choice and charter schools outperformed many MPS schools.

It is clear Tony Evers is more interested in protecting adults instead of protecting kids. For the sake of the school children in Wisconsin, his choice and charter ban is dead on arrival in the Legislature. Let's continue to go forward instead of backward."

State Sen. Darling represents portions of Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha Counties.