Tony Evers Sworn In For Second Term As State Superintendent

State Superintendent Tony Evers was sworn into office today to serve a second four-year term.

The ceremony took place a day after Governor Scott Walker signed a budget into place that makes sweeping changes to education in the state. Superintendent Evers has been critical of the new budget, which expands taxpayer-funded vouchers statewide to 1,000 new students and gives parents a tax deduction for tuition at private schools.

During his inaugural address this morning, he called the budget “ideological and partisan,” and said the expansion of vouchers will escalate battles over funding for public schools. “This divisiveness doesn’t help our kids or our state,” he said.

Evers said he still remains committed to finding common ground, and despite the budget battles he said he’s optimistic about the future of public education in the state.

The oath of office was administered by Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Ann Walsh Bradley.