Wisconsin rebuilding oversight of for-profit colleges after transition, vacancies – Wisconsin State Journal
The state agency overseeing Wisconsin’s for-profit colleges is building up its watchdog role after a transition nearly two years ago led to an exodus of experienced employees, prolonged vacancies and no spending authority to fill key positions.
The Republican-controlled Legislature and former Gov. Scott Walker eliminated the Educational Approval Board in September 2017, shifting oversight to the Educational Approval Program under the state Department of Safety and Professional Services.
The independent board built a reputation for policing predatory tactics used by some for-profit schools, according to the board’s former executive director.
Republicans, however, said eliminating the board would decrease the regulatory and fiscal burden on for-profit schools.
The Legislature included language in the 2017-19 budget that would have guaranteed board staff stay in their jobs once DSPS took over, but Walker vetoed the condition, saying the department needed flexibility in its staffing decisions. His administration said during the transition that the same number of employees, 6.5 full-time equivalent positions, would be employed under DSPS and assume all responsibilities the board previously oversaw.