In his eight years as governor, Scott Walker visited UW-Parkside exactly once. And that was for a closed-door meeting of the student Republican party.
Parkside administration doesn't dispute WGTD's tally, although they say it's possible Walker--who crisscrossed the state relentlessly during his time in office either as governor or as a candidate---could've been on campus for a non-school organized event.
Careful not to criticize Walker, Parkside Chancellor Debbie Ford says she's expects that things will be different with Gov.-elect Tony Evers, who as state school superintendent sat on the UW Board of Regents. "I think he brings an understanding and appreciation for public education and I think that will be part of his platform going forward," Ford said in a WGTD News interview.
Walker's relations with the UW system in general were far from stellar.
Evers was at Parkside just a few weeks ago as a Regent. The board held a two-day meeting at the school.
Ford says she hopes Evers first budget as governor will include some type of pay increase for UW faculty and staff. "We're very hopeful they'll be investments in UW-Parkside and the other UW's and certainly a pay plan for our very dedicated and loyal faculty and staff," Ford said.
The optimism comes even as a new report says it will take more than $2 billion just to maintain current state services, with a modest increase in spending and a more sizeable boost for schools.
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