John Jagler named State Senate Education Committee chair

State Senator John Jagler (R-Watertown) has been appointed Chair of the Senate Committee on Education for the 2023-24 session.

Jagler served on the Senate Committee on Education last session after being elected to represent the 13th Senate District in a special election in 2021. He was re-elected to a four year term in November.

“We need an honest, in-depth assessment of the state of education after two years of learning loss caused by our response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Jagler said. “While COVID exacerbated problems, our reading scores were dropping long before that despite record state expenditures on education.”

"When less than half our kids are proficient in reading we have a problem. When education leadership doesn't even recognize poor reading as a problem we have a crisis," Jagler said.

Jagler said the committee will also look to enhance educational opportunities for students across the state.

In addition to the Education Committee, Jagler will also serve on Housing, Rural Issues & Forestry (Vice-chair), Insurance and Small Business, and the Joint Legislative Council for the upcoming legislative session.