State of Wisconsin - Department of Public Instruction

**About Us** The Department of Public Instruction is the state agency that advances public education and libraries in Wisconsin. It is headed by the state superintendent of public instruction, a nonpartisan, constitutional officer elected every four years. State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly, the current officeholder, is 28th person to hold the post. The agency was created in 1848, the year Wisconsin attained statehood when the state constitution provided for the establishment of local school districts and a free education for all children in the state. For more information: - visit the [state superintendent’s page](https://dpi.wi.gov/statesupt/about), - consult the list of [DPI divisions and teams](https://dpi.wi.gov/div-teams), - search our DPI staff directory by [name](https://wisedata.dpi.wi.gov/StaffDirectory/Public/Staff/SearchStaff) or [topic](https://wisedata.dpi.wi.gov/StaffDirectory/Public/Topic/SearchTopic); - view recent [news from the DPI](https://dpi.wi.gov/news), or - read about the Department of Public Instruction in the Executive Branch chapter of the [Wisconsin Blue Book](https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/misc/lrb/blue_book/2021_2022/050_executive.pdf#page=54). **Locations and Contact Information** **Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction – Headquarters** Please schedule an appointment to meet with DPI staff, prior to coming to the Tommy G. Thompson Center. Any unscheduled walk-ins to the Tommy G. Thompson Center building will be greeted at the street and asked to schedule a future appointment. All DPI visitors **must** enter through the West Washington Street doors, and must sign in and wear a visitor badge. Visitors will be escorted to their meeting location after checking in.