MPS Invests $18 Million to Upgrade 6 Schools
Four of the improved schools could ultimately absorb students from schools targeted for closure.
Principal Tonya Love shows off improvements at Starms Discovery Learning Center. Photo from Milwaukee Public Schools.
Milwaukee Public Schools is pouring more than $18 million into six north side schools, refreshing aging buildings, expanding specialized programs and, in four cases, preparing schools to accommodate more students if the district moves forward with a long-discussed consolidation plan.
The work was on display last week at Frances Brock Starms Discovery Learning Center, 2035 N. 25th St., where MPS officials showed off new flooring, lighting, murals, playground improvements and a renovated gymnasium.
MPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius, speaking at an Aug. 27 news conference, said the improvements are intended to send students a message about what the district expects for them.
“These improvements matter because the environment in which children learn sends a message, a very clear message about what we expect for them and how we care for them,” Cassellius said.
Starms is one of six schools receiving major capital investments this year. The others are Brown Street Academy, Andrew S. Douglas School, Gwen T. Jackson Early Childhood and Elementary School, North Division High School and River Trail School of Agricultural Science.
The total to be invested includes $2.3 million at Starms, $2.6 million at Brown Street, $5.7 million at Douglas, $2 million at Jackson and $2.4 million at North Division. The River Trail project was previously estimated at about $3.5 million, bringing the six-school investment to about $18.5 million.
The money is coming from Fund 46, MPS’ long-term capital improvement trust fund, rather than the district’s operating budget.
That distinction was noted since MPS is grappling with substantial financial pressure, including a previously identified $46 million operating budget deficit, staffing challenges and a backlog of deferred building maintenance.
Possible Receiving Schools
The investments also overlap with another difficult issue facing the district.
Four of the schools — Starms, Brown Street, Douglas and Jackson — were identified by facilities consultant Perkins Eastman as potential receiving schools if MPS closes five nearby, under-enrolled schools.
The consultant proposed closing Clarke Street School and moving its students to Starms, closing Siefert School and moving its students to Brown Street, combining Hopkins Lloyd Community School with Jackson and closing Auer Avenue and Keefe Avenue schools while moving their students to Douglas.
Perkins Eastman recommended improving potential receiving schools before any consolidation, reasoning that families could have more confidence in a merger if they could see investments being made in the schools their children would attend.
MPS has not approved those closures and Cassellius has not explicitly endorsed the consultant’s recommendations. But she has repeatedly said the district will eventually need to close buildings as enrollment declines and the cost of maintaining excess space grows.
The district is expected to convene an advisory group this year before making a decision. A final decision is subject to school board approval.
The investments already make some of the potential receiving schools better positioned for expansion.
Douglas, 3620 N. 18th St., is being converted from a middle school into a K-8 school. MPS says it will initially operate with one classroom at each grade level, with room to grow to two sections as enrollment increases. The $5.7 million project includes four kindergarten classrooms with dedicated bathrooms, a fenced kindergarten play area, a sensory and intervention space, renovated gym and library spaces, and a new before- and after-school care center.
At Brown Street Academy, 2029 N. 20th St., work includes a new playground and fencing, improved exterior lighting and security, restroom and classroom improvements, and renovations to the gymnasium and cafeteria.
Starms received new flooring in classrooms and common areas, improved lighting and acoustics, new signage and fencing, murals and other cosmetic upgrades.
Jackson, 2121 W. Hadley St., is receiving a new entrance canopy and signage intended to make the relatively low-profile school more visible from the surrounding neighborhood. Playground improvements, new lighting, fencing, acoustic upgrades, and a new interior color scheme are also part of the project.
Investments In Specialized Programs
The projects at North Division and River Trail are not part of the consultant’s proposed school consolidation plan.
At North Division, 1011 W. Center St., MPS is investing $2.4 million to expand career and technical education. The work includes new or renovated dental and welding labs, expanded computer science and information technology space, and improvements to the high school’s certified nursing assistant program. A new automotive lab is planned for 2027.
The school is also working with the UW-Milwaukee School of Architecture on exterior and interior improvements, including landscaping, outdoor gathering spaces and an eventual redesign intended to give portions of the building a more collegiate feel.
At River Trail, 12021 W. Florist Ave., the district is investing in the school’s growing agricultural science program, including a greenhouse and changes to classroom space.
River Trail and Vincent High School of Agricultural Sciences together operate what MPS says is one of the nation’s few public, urban K-12 agriculture programs. River Trail students use gardens, hydroponic equipment, greenhouses, small animals and a two-acre food forest as part of classroom instruction.
The six investments are part of a broader effort Cassellius is pitching under the district’s “Expect Great Things” campaign.
“This year, we are asking everyone in Milwaukee to expect great things from MPS and then to do the work to make those great things happen,” Cassellius said. “Our students deserve nothing less. They deserve great teaching, great opportunities and great schools, and our educators and staff are ready to deliver.”
“Our teachers, principals, school staff, district team, and union partners have been working day and night to make sure our schools are ready to welcome back students,” said Missy Zombor, school board president. “MPS has the people and the passion to give all of our students a safe, enriching and joyful school experience.”
While MPS welcomed students back to school Monday, students and staff from one school found themselves in an unfamiliar location. Following a devastating June fire, students and staff from Lincoln Avenue Elementary School will spend the school year housed at Casimir Pulaski High School.
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