MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The state Department of Public Instruction is reporting that the number of teachers and other staff working in Wisconsin schools dropped 2.3 percent this school year.

The data released Wednesday comes in the middle of an ongoing political fight with Gov. Scott Walker over the impact of cuts he made to public school funding last year and changes to collective bargaining rights that he says helped districts make up for the losses in aid.

State Superintendent Tony Evers says in a statement there must be a bipartisan investment in public education because losses in school staff erode the public education system.

Walker spokesman Cullen Werwie tells the Wisconsin State Journal that districts have more flexibility thanks to Walker’s changes.

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