Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle professed his commitment to public education in Wisconsin during a state teachers convention in Madison Thursday.

At the annual convention for the Wisconsin Education Association Council, Doyle addressed his dedication to funding education, according to Doyle's spokesperson Melanie Fonder.

"He talked about education and how it's always been his top priority," Fonder said, adding he made the difference between his opponent, U.S. Rep. Mark Green, R-Wis, and himself very clear.

Some of the highlights of the governor's talk, Fonder said, were Doyle's plans to expand 4-year-old kindergarten, decrease class sizes and require three years of high school math and science.

"The governor has protected Wisconsin schools from $400 million in Republican cuts," Fonder added, saying Green supported the Republican plans that included a decrease in education funding.

According to Fonder, Green's record in Congress shows a lack of priority in education.

"Congressman Green has voted to cut funding by $1 billion through the No Child Left Behind Act," Fonder said. "Not only that — Congressman Green's budget and education plans would devastate schools across Wisconsin."

Instead of refuting Doyle's education goals, Green's spokesperson Luke Punzenberger said Green's plan "speaks for itself," referencing Green's plan to "give Wisconsin kids the world's best education."

Green's plan calls for rewarding teachers based on their performance in the classroom, not their total years teaching. In addition, Green says he has strengthened the state's academic standards and renewed taxpayer trust in Wisconsin's education system.

And in a pledge to send more money directly into the classroom, Green's plan includes a "70 percent solution," pledging to send 70 cents of every dollar spent on education into academic settings.

Teachers, though, Fonder said, are behind Doyle.

"They recognize what this governor has done and how he's fought to fight for education in the state," Fonder said. "It's his top priority and always will be."

Doyle appreciates the endorsement and support of WEAC, Fonder added.

Green criticizes lost jobs

In other election news Thursday, Green issued a release citing a preliminary U.S. Department of Labor report saying the Milwaukee area has lost 9,000 jobs between June and September of this year.

Green attributed the loss to Doyle's "failed leadership."

"Under Jim Doyle's failed leadership, southeast Wisconsin has lost thousands of jobs, streets and neighborhoods are less safe; and taxes continue to skyrocket," Green said in the release. "It's time for a change and for new leadership that will tackle these challenges head on."

In addition, Green cited a recent announcement by Milwaukee's Harley-Davidson that said 200 jobs will be moved to another state. Menards, based in Eau Claire, is also moving about 800 jobs to Iowa and Ohio.

"Wisconsin has the hardest working people you're going to find anywhere," Green said, repeating that Wisconsin has a "leadership problem," not a "people problem."

But Fonder said Doyle has added 170,000 jobs in Wisconsin over the last four years.

"He has a broad economic development plan for Wisconsin that is nationally recognized," Fonder said. "He has fought every day to create new jobs for Wisconsin."

The Election Day countdown is now down to 11 days, as Doyle and Green will square off Nov. 7.