MONROE - Rep. Brett Davis got a chance to work with Rose Fernandez on passing legislation last year to preserve the state's virtual schools. What he saw convinced him Fernandez is the best among five candidates to be the state's next superintendent of schools.
"I've seen firsthand the passion, vision and understanding she has for the positive changes that need to be made in our public school system," Davis said Tuesday while endorsing Fernandez in the Feb. 17 primary.
Fernandez, former leader of a virtual school group, is one of five candidates vying to be one of two finalists on the April 7 general election ballot. Fernandez, National-Louis University professor Todd Price, Concordia University professor Van Mobley, Beloit Schools Superintendent Lowell E. Holtz and Deputy Superintendent Tony Evers are running to replace State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster, who decided not to seek another term as superintendent. Evers on Tuesday received the endorsement of the Wisconsin Education Association Council.
Davis, R-Oregon, was chairman of the Assembly Education Committee last session and is a minority member of the committee this term. Davis said Fernandez will give the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction a "fresh perspective."
"She's someone who we can count on to work tirelessly to ensure all Wisconsin students achieve to the best of their ability," Davis said.
Davis said Fernandez will champion issues such as school financing and student assessments.
Fernandez said Davis' support means a lot to her.
"He knows education issues from top to bottom and his confidence in me is something I hold very dear," she said. "We're putting together a bipartisan group of families who want the DPI to focus on students. Rep. Davis' support is a welcome addition to that effort."
Fernandez is a former pediatric trauma nurse and former senior administrator at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. She also is the former president of the Wisconsin coalition of Virtual School Families.
On her Web site, Change DPI.com, Fernandez says the investment in education doesn't have to be at odds with fiscal restraint and taxpayer protection.
"We must come together to make sure we're not just throwing money at problems, but rather are investing in educational opportunities that improve student performance. If that happens, everyone wins."
Fernandez also supports merit-based pay structures for teachers, which would give higher raises to some teachers and no raises to others, based on performance.
"Good teachers deserve more than a few percent raise, average teachers may not deserve a raise at all, and poor teachers should be let go, regardless of how long they've been around," her Web site says. "Merit pay that rewards achievers makes sense within a system where we're encouraging kids to work their hardest and achieve, too."
"I've seen firsthand the passion, vision and understanding she has for the positive changes that need to be made in our public school system," Davis said Tuesday while endorsing Fernandez in the Feb. 17 primary.
Fernandez, former leader of a virtual school group, is one of five candidates vying to be one of two finalists on the April 7 general election ballot. Fernandez, National-Louis University professor Todd Price, Concordia University professor Van Mobley, Beloit Schools Superintendent Lowell E. Holtz and Deputy Superintendent Tony Evers are running to replace State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster, who decided not to seek another term as superintendent. Evers on Tuesday received the endorsement of the Wisconsin Education Association Council.
Davis, R-Oregon, was chairman of the Assembly Education Committee last session and is a minority member of the committee this term. Davis said Fernandez will give the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction a "fresh perspective."
"She's someone who we can count on to work tirelessly to ensure all Wisconsin students achieve to the best of their ability," Davis said.
Davis said Fernandez will champion issues such as school financing and student assessments.
Fernandez said Davis' support means a lot to her.
"He knows education issues from top to bottom and his confidence in me is something I hold very dear," she said. "We're putting together a bipartisan group of families who want the DPI to focus on students. Rep. Davis' support is a welcome addition to that effort."
Fernandez is a former pediatric trauma nurse and former senior administrator at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. She also is the former president of the Wisconsin coalition of Virtual School Families.
On her Web site, Change DPI.com, Fernandez says the investment in education doesn't have to be at odds with fiscal restraint and taxpayer protection.
"We must come together to make sure we're not just throwing money at problems, but rather are investing in educational opportunities that improve student performance. If that happens, everyone wins."
Fernandez also supports merit-based pay structures for teachers, which would give higher raises to some teachers and no raises to others, based on performance.
"Good teachers deserve more than a few percent raise, average teachers may not deserve a raise at all, and poor teachers should be let go, regardless of how long they've been around," her Web site says. "Merit pay that rewards achievers makes sense within a system where we're encouraging kids to work their hardest and achieve, too."