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CALEDONIA, WI – September 14, 2020 – Equity leader Dr. Deborah L. Kerr formally announced her candidacy for Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction Sunday, Sept. 13, at a socially-distanced event in her back yard in Caledonia Sunday. Kerr has served the last 20 years as a superintendent; 13 years with the Brown Deer School District where she resigned in June of this year, and prior to that, 7 years at Wilmot Grade School, a rural school district in Western Kenosha County. She recently held the roles of president for the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) and the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators (WASDA) and is currently running a consultancy, Lead Greatly, LLC, that supports educational leaders in equity, coaching and special projects.
In making her announcement, Dr. Kerr pledged to continue to put children at the forefront of her work as state superintendent. “I am focused on the success of all children in the State of Wisconsin. I believe that by delivering equity in education to all students in all parts of our state, we can create a world-class education system in Wisconsin, one that prepares our students for success in tomorrow’s workforce and one that could serve as a model for other states,” Dr. Kerr said.
In addition to her goal of delivering equity with excellence for all students, Dr. Kerr is also pledging to deliver innovative, personalized learning for all students; to engage families and communities as school partners; and to lead with respect and honor for all stakeholders.
Dr. Kerr’s experience closing the achievement gap in Brown Deer, one of the most diverse student populations in the state with a minority-majority student population was the impetus for her, along with 3 other superintendents, to create the Wisconsin Closing the Achievement Gap Consortium, led by Executive Director Dr. Elliot Moeser and based at Concordia University. The consortium, which has grown to include 36 public, private, choice, voucher and parochial school districts in southeastern Wisconsin, is focused on issues of equity, justice, diversity and achievement for all children.
According to Dr. Moeser, Dr. Kerr is respected among her colleagues, staff and students for “her honesty, knowledge and consideration for what is right. (She) represents the very best of educators and superintendents,” he said.
Dr. Kerr is running a non-partisan campaign at a time when partisan politics has become the norm. Historically, candidates for state superintendent have aligned with either the democratic or republican party. She is receiving endorsements from both sides of the aisle and has assembled a campaign team with a diverse set of perspectives, republican and democratic. She points out that high quality education is an aspiration that is held dear by both parties.
Dr. Kerr said, “I hope to be a unifying force throughout Wisconsin as I meet with people and groups – whether online or safely in person. I am eager to hear what’s on the minds of our students and their families, our school and business communities and our most important talent in education, our teachers. I truly believe that collectively we can build a brighter future for our kids.”
More information about Dr. Deborah Kerr and her campaign for State Superintendent of Public Instruction can be found at: https://kerr4kids.com
