On April 1, 2025, Wisconsin voters made their voices heard in a pivotal election for Superintendent of Public Instruction, choosing between incumbent Jill Underly and challenger Brittany Kinser. As the dust settles from this hard-fought race, it’s the perfect time to dive into who Jill Underly is, what she stands for, and why she’s such a big deal in the state’s education system. With over 25 years in education, Underly has shaped policies that affect every public school student in Wisconsin. She’s a name you need to know—whether you’re a parent, teacher, or just someone who cares about where education is headed.
I’ve followed her career for years, and it’s clear she’s not your average administrator. From her early days as a teacher to her current role leading the Department of Public Instruction (DPI), Underly brings a mix of grit, experience, and a fierce love for public schools. Let’s unpack her story, her wins, her controversies, and what might come next—especially with the election results still fresh as of today, April 1, 2025.
Table of Contents
Early Life and Path to Education
Jill Underly grew up in Munster, Indiana, a small town near Chicago. Her dad worked as a union electrician in the steel mills, and her mom stayed home to raise the family. It was a working-class upbringing that shaped her views on fairness and opportunity—values she carried into education. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University in 1999 and started teaching social studies in Indiana that same year. Teaching wasn’t just a job for her; it was a calling.
In 2005, she moved to Wisconsin, diving into the state’s education system. She spent five years at the DPI, working on federal programs like Title I grants, which help schools with lots of low-income students. Later, she became principal at Pecatonica Elementary School and then superintendent of the Pecatonica Area School District. Along the way, she picked up a master’s and a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, proving she’s as much a scholar as a practitioner. By 2021, when she ran for state superintendent, Underly had seen education from every angle—classrooms, offices, and boardrooms.
Jill Underly’s Rise to Superintendent
Underly’s 2021 campaign for superintendent came at a chaotic time. Schools were reeling from the pandemic, and debates over funding and vouchers were heating up. She ran on a promise to be the “No. 1 advocate for public education,” and Wisconsin voters bought it. Backed by Democrats and the teachers’ union, she won handily, taking office in July 2021. At 47, she brought fresh energy to a role that oversees 421 school districts and shapes policies for over 800,000 students.
Her first term wasn’t a cakewalk. She faced a Republican-led legislature skeptical of her ideas and a polarized public split on issues like school choice. But Underly didn’t back down. She pushed for more funding, tackled teacher shortages, and championed mental health programs in schools. Her supporters say she’s a steady hand in tough times; her critics argue she’s too partisan. Either way, she’s left a mark.
Key Achievements in Office
What has Jill Underly actually done? Plenty, if you ask her fans. One big win was helping pass a bipartisan literacy law in 2024. It aimed to boost reading skills—a sore spot in Wisconsin, where scores have lagged. She also raised standards for math and science, countering claims she’s soft on academics. Then there’s the graduation rate: under her watch, it hit the highest in state history by 2025. That’s no small feat.
She’s also been big on career and technical education. On March 14, 2025, she visited De Pere High School, pitching $60 million to expand these programs. It’s about getting kids ready for jobs, not just college, she says. Plus, she’s secured investments for school mental health and teacher retention—issues that hit home for educators and parents alike. Here’s a quick rundown of her top wins:
- Literacy Law: Bipartisan effort to improve reading.
- Graduation Rates: Highest ever in Wisconsin.
- Career Ed Push: Millions proposed for job-ready skills.
Jill Underly’s Stance on School Choice
If there’s one thing that defines Jill Underly, it’s her fight against school vouchers. She’s been crystal clear: public dollars belong in public schools. On March 28, 2025, she told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel she wants to axe Wisconsin’s 35-year-old school choice program. Why? She argues it drains money from public schools, which have to take every kid, while private schools can pick and choose. It’s a bold stand—and a divisive one.
Her opponent in the 2025 race, Brittany Kinser, hit back hard. Kinser, a former special ed teacher who supports vouchers, says families deserve options when public schools fail. The debate got personal when X posts on March 30 pointed out Underly’s own kid attends private school. She hasn’t addressed it directly, but it’s fueled accusations of hypocrisy. Still, Underly doubles down: equity, not choice, is her north star.
The 2025 Election Showdown
The April 1, 2025, election was a slugfest. Underly faced Kinser, a political newcomer with Republican backing. It wasn’t just about two candidates—it was two visions. Underly wanted to double down on public schools; Kinser pushed for more parental choice. The race got heated after a March 19 debate where Underly called Kinser out of touch with Wisconsin’s system. Kinser fired back, saying Underly’s policies hurt kids.
Voters had their say today, April 1. Polls closed at 8 p.m. CDT, and as of 7:32 p.m. PDT, results are trickling in. Underly’s camp touts her experience, especially with Trump’s second term shaking up federal education policy. Kinser’s team bets on frustration with the status quo. Whoever wins, the outcome will steer Wisconsin’s schools for the next four years.
Controversies and Criticism
Underly’s not without baggage. Critics, like some X users in late March, slam her for lowering testing standards to mask poor performance. A bill to reverse those changes got vetoed by Governor Evers on March 28, backing her up—but it didn’t quiet the noise. Others say she’s ignored Milwaukee’s struggling schools. Posts on X from March 30 called her tenure a “disaster” for students, pointing to uneven recovery from pandemic learning losses.
Then there’s the private school flap. That her child attends one while she fights vouchers has raised eyebrows. She’s stayed mum, but it’s a thorn in her side. Supporters argue her personal choices don’t undo her public school advocacy. Detractors see it as proof she’s out of touch.
Jill Underly’s Vision for the Future
What’s next for Jill Underly? If she wins re-election, expect more of the same: big pushes for funding, equity, and public school pride. She’s floated a $4 billion boost for schools, though Republicans in the legislature aren’t biting. She also wants sustainable revenue so districts don’t lean on referendums, which she calls unfair to taxpayers. With Trump back in office, she’s gearing up to shield Wisconsin from federal cuts.
If she loses, her influence won’t vanish. She’s got deep roots in education and a loyal base. Either way, she’s not done shaping the conversation. Her focus on “doing what’s best for kids” isn’t just talk—it’s her playbook.
Personal Life and Drive
Underly lives in rural Hollandale, Wisconsin, with her husband and two kids. One of her children is on the autism spectrum, giving her a personal stake in special education. She’s not flashy—think practical Midwesterner over polished politician. That authenticity resonates with her fans. “I’m stability in chaos,” she told the Cap Times in February 2025, and it’s hard to argue she hasn’t faced plenty of that.
Her 25 years in education aren’t just resume fodder. She’s lived it—from teaching teens to crunching policy at DPI. It’s why she connects with educators and parents who feel the system’s strain firsthand.
Why She Matters Now
Wisconsin’s education system is at a crossroads. Federal changes loom, funding fights drag on, and kids’ needs keep growing. Jill Underly’s been in the thick of it, for better or worse. Today’s election—April 1, 2025—decides if she gets four more years to finish what she started. Win or lose, her legacy’s already tied to graduation rates, literacy laws, and that unrelenting push for public schools.
She’s not perfect. The voucher debate and testing critiques won’t fade anytime soon. But her story—small-town kid turned education warrior—is one worth knowing. It’s about more than politics; it’s about what we want for the next generation. That’s why Jill Underly’s name keeps coming up, and why she’s worth watching as the votes get tallied tonight.