MPS Budget Closes $46 Million Gap, Adds 159 Teaching Jobs
Board approves $1.6 billion plan with raises, smaller classes and more student services.
Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent Brenda Cassellius speaks to parents and community members during a listening session Monday, July 28, 2025, at Congress School in Milwaukee, Wis. Angela Major/WPR
The Milwaukee School Board approved a $1.6 billion budget plan Thursday night that eliminates the $46 million deficit identified earlier this year.
The budget includes adding 159 more teaching positions and more paraprofessional positions to reduce class sizes and continue offering students art, music and physical education classes.
The budget also includes a pay increase of 2.63 percent for all employees, with 1.5 percent starting July 1 and an additional 1.13 percent in January 2027.
Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent Brenda Cassellius said the budget invests in employees and takes steps toward financial stability with an eye toward the difficult economic realities ahead.
“I have great optimism about the future of Milwaukee Public Schools if we continue to work together with students at the forefront,” Cassellius said in a statement. “Students deserve a budget that puts them at the center. And teachers deserve classes that allow them to give students personalized attention.”
Several staff members booed during the meeting Thursday night.
In an interview with WPR before the budget meeting, Ingrid Walker-Henry, president of the Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association, said she’s disappointed the school district did not make a commitment to providing all employees with the full 2.63 percent cost-of-living pay increase by July 1.
“But there are things in this budget that our members have won for students,” Walker-Henry said. “Like making sure we have an alternative education program that actually has enough staff to service students. And ensuring that arts, music and physical education is there for all students.”
This week the Wisconsin Policy Forum analyzed the MPS budget noting that the 2027 budget will tackle some of the immediate challenges for now but will still leave the district facing long-term financial issues.
Budget for Milwaukee Public Schools closes $46M deficit, adds teachers was originally published by Wisconsin Public Radio.
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