A Republican state Senator is backing away from derogatory comments he made about a Green Bay high school.
State Senator Mike Ellis (R-Neenah) was caught on tape this week talking about the school choice program. On the recording, which was made by someone sitting near Ellis in a Madison bar without his knowledge, the Senator refers to Green Bay Preble High School as a “sewer.”
Ellis admits he made the comments, but is now apologizing to school officials who were outraged.
AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (:56)
Ellis was discussing a bill with other lawmakers that would close a loophole created by a state budget provision that expanded Milwaukee’s schools choice program to Racine. The original measure left the door open for creating voucher schools in Green Bay as well.
WHBY’s Rick Schuh contributed to this report.