Who to Contact at the Department of Public Instruction
With Questions or Concerns

The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) receives numerous contacts from people who have questions on specific issues or concerns with how an issue was dealt with in the local school district. A large number are from parents who have children attending school. Listed below is the appropriate DPI staff person or team to contact based on the concern. In some cases, the local school district should be contacted directly. Local school and school district contact information is available in DPI's Public School Directory.

Bullying: Student behavior issues
Joan Lerman, Prevention Education/School Violence, Student Services/Prevention and Wellness Team, 608-266-2829 or joan.lerman@dpi.wi.gov

Curriculum Issues: Textbook selection, course requirements, course offerings, resource materials, district standards
Beverly Kniess, Content and Learning Team, 608-266-3706 or beverly.kniess@dpi.wi.gov

Discrimination Issues: Bias based on: sex, race, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability
Paul Sherman, Pupil Nondiscrimination Programs, 608-267-9157 or paul.sherman@dpi.wi.gov

Grades: Grading procedures, grade determination
Questions/concerns regarding grades and grading procedures must be directed to the local school district.

Harassment Complaints:
Paul Sherman, Pupil Nondiscrimination Programs, 608-267-9157 or paul.sherman@dpi.wi.gov

Licensing Requirements:
Teacher Education, Licensing and Professional Development Team, Educator Licensing or call 1-800-266-1027.

Misconduct by a Licensed Educator:
Courtney Spitz, Misconduct Investigations, Teacher Education, Professional Development and Licensing Team, 608-264-9339 or courtney.spitz@dpi.wi.gov
Also contact your local school district.

Public School Open Enrollment Guidelines: Public School Choice
Mary Jo Cleaver, Public School Open Enrollment and School Choice, School Management Services Team, 608-267-9101 or maryjo.cleaver@dpi.wi.gov

School Buildings/Facilities:
Janice Zmrazek, Consultant, School Facilities, School Management Services Team, 608-266-2803 or janice.zmrazek@dpi.wi.gov
School Facilities Resources - Issues (ADA, safety, codes, etc.) and Who to Contact
Your initial contact should be made to the local school district.

School Buses/Drivers/Transportation: School Buses and Alternative Vehicles
Merry Larsen, Student Transportation, School Management Services Team, 608-266-2803 or merry.larsen@dpi.wi.gov
Your initial contact should be made to the local school district.

School District Budgets and Allocation of Funds: Revenues, expenditures, tax levies, financial reports
School Financial Services Team, 608-267-9114 or dpifin@dpi.wi.gov,
Your initial contact should be made to the local school district.

School District Policies and Procedures:
Janice Zmrazek, School Board Operations, School Management Services Team, 608-266-2803 or janice.zmrazek@dpi.wi.gov
Your initial contact should be made to the local school district.

Special Education Programming: Patricia Williams, Complaint Investigations, Special Education Team, 608-267-3720 or patricia.williams@dpi.wi.gov

Student Discipline Issues: School response to student behavior
Call 608-266-8960, Student Services/Prevention and Wellness Team or sspw@dpi.wi.gov
For special education behavioral issues, call 608 266-1781.

Other Questions/Concerns:

If you did not find the issue of concern in the list above:

• Search the DPI Staff Directory by issue/keyword
• View the DPI A-Z Topics List for the topic of interest
• Phone the DPI Reception Desk, 608 266-3390 (Madison area) or 800 441-4563 (Toll-Free)

Last updated on 9/9/2009 9:01:26 AM