Contact: Nicole Pegram, Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Secretary of State

sospress@wisconsin.gov

608-391-0424

ICYMI: Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski, Chair of the BCPL, Marks Two Years in Office with Record-Breaking Distribution to Wisconsin Public Schools and Celebrates Library Week

LA CROSSE, WI – On April 10, 2025 Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski, Chair of the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands (BCPL), commemorating her second year in office, presented a $541,418 check to the School District of La Crosse for its libraries and media centers. The presentation took place at the Hogan Administrative Center and highlighted the impact of the BCPL’s Common School Fund, which serves as the primary source of funding for more than 90% of Wisconsin’s public school libraries.

Here is what some district library staff had to say about why libraries matter and how the the Common School Fund helps their schools:

“We have been able to purchase books that meets the needs of ALL our students.”

Lila Planavsky, Longfellow Middle 

“We have wanted to purchase some Wonder Books [books that read the text aloud]. Students are constantly checking them out and loving them to death. We are hoping to use the expanded funds to purchase more of those. Wonder Books help students move from picture books to chapter books.”

Kristen Martin, State Road Elementary

“The library is the School’s Classroom. It’s a third space for our students where they can be themselves and have hard conversations.”

Abby Von Arx, La Crosse Central High School

Secretary Godlewski followed the presentation with a class room visit to read to elementary school students at Hamilton Elementary School.

As part of her constitutional duties, Secretary Godlewski also serves as Chair of the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands (BCPL), where she manages a $1.5 billion trust fund, which includes the Common School Fund — the primary source of funding for more than 90% of Wisconsin’s public school libraries. Secretary Godlewski was joined by Mayor-elect Shaundel Washington-Spivey, education leaders, students, and library advocates to share how these funds provide critical resources for students and help ease the burden on local property taxpayers.

When Godlewski first took office in 2023, she inherited an under-resourced and outdated agency. Since then, she has worked to modernize the Secretary of State’s office, launching digital public records tools, clearing case backlogs, and improving access to critical services for Wisconsin families and businesses.

This year, the BCPL will distribute a record-breaking $70 million to Wisconsin school libraries — a direct result of smart, responsible investment strategies and Godlewski’s commitment to making state government work better for the people it serves.

BACKGROUND:

The Board of Commissioners of Public Lands (BCPL) manages over $1.5 billion in state trust funds, including the Common School Fund, which provides annual distributions to fund books and technology for every public school district in Wisconsin. The board consists of Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski (Chair), State Treasurer John Leiber, and Attorney General Josh Kaul. Under Secretary Godlewski’s leadership, BCPL has prioritized community investment and sustainable financial growth to maximize support for Wisconsin’s students.