The Institute for Reforming Government’s Center for Investigative Oversight (CIO) has submitted a public records request to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) following alarming revelations about how the agency handled teacher misconduct cases.

A recent Cap Times investigation found that DPI—under Superintendent Jill Underly—failed to take timely or appropriate action against teachers accused of serious misconduct, including grooming and sexual abuse. In some cases, teachers were allowed to keep their licenses or continue working in schools despite credible allegations. The report raised major questions about how DPI investigates complaints and whether the agency is protecting students or shielding its own failures.

That’s why IRG’s CIO is demanding answers. Our records request seeks to uncover who knew what, and when, inside DPI—and to determine whether state officials ignored or mishandled misconduct claims. IRG’s CIO submitted similar requests to the offices of Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul.

“Every parent in Wisconsin places enormous trust in our schools and educators, and that trust is broken when misconduct is swept under the rug,” said Jake Curtis, Director of IRG’s Center for Investigative Oversight. “Our request demands transparency and oversight. The public has the right to know whether DPI’s leadership intentionally allowed abusers to remain in classrooms or turned a blind eye when they were quietly shuffled to other districts.”

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