The Republican-controlled Joint Finance Committee has released $1.75 million in supplemental funding to the Department of Public Instruction.
The Republican-controlled Joint Committee on Finance voted Tuesday to release $1.75 million in supplemental funding for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI), approving less than the full $2 million the agency requested.
The scaled-back allocation follows weeks of scrutiny over DPI’s past spending, particularly a nearly $369,000 four-day workshop held at the Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells in June 2024.
The DPI, which oversees public school districts statewide, sought the supplemental funds—allocated in the 2025-27 state budget—to avoid staff layoffs, delayed hiring, and other operational cuts. Agency officials warned that denying the full amount would impact general program operations.
The funding delay originated in early February 2026, when the committee paused action after a report from the Dairyland Sentinel revealed DPI spent $368,885 on the “standard setting” event for the Forward Exam. The event involved 88 educators and staff at the water park resort, known for luxury amenities including indoor and outdoor water parks, spa services, and multiple bars. Open records requests showed no itemized receipts for staff time, food, travel, lodging, or other expenses, prompting questions about potential use of taxpayer dollars on resort perks, alcohol, or water park access.
DPI spokesperson Chris Bucher defended the expenditure, stating the total included staff salaries, hotel costs, payments to vendor Data Recognition Corporation (which develops the Forward Exam), secure laptops, meeting space, and reimbursements. He described the offsite location as a common approach among states contracting with the vendor and aimed at supporting Wisconsin tourism while reducing travel expenses.
Republicans on the committee, including co-chair Rep. Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam), cited the report as evidence of questionable fund use, describing it as justification for withholding the full request. The $250,000 reduction—$750,000 for 2025-26 and $1 million for 2026-27—passed unanimously after debate, though Democrats criticized the cut as harmful to public education.
The decision comes amid broader concerns about DPI accountability, including prior reports on the agency’s handling of educator misconduct cases.
