Milwaukee Public Schools

The City of Milwaukee Declares a Snow Emergency

City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works Commissioner of Public Works Ghassan Korban has declared a snow emergency effective from 5:00 P.M. Wednesday, February 27 until 5:00 A.M. Thursday, February 28 to facilitate effective curb-to-curb plowing on main arterials. During a snow emergency: Night parking regulations go into effect from 11 PM to 6 AM (instead of 2AM to 6AM) No parking is allowed on arterials, bus lines, or thru-highways from 11PM to 6AM No parking on the side of residential streets signed “No Parking During Snow Emergency” or “No Parking from December 1st to March 1st” or “No Parking Anytime”. Posted signs for other parking restrictions must be obeyed, specifically the “4 inch rule” sign Comply with the alternate side street parking on other residential streets. Vehicles parked on streets designated as “Snow Route Tow Away Zones” will be ticketed and towed when a snow emergency is declared. Citizens are urged to follow these restrictions to allow for the most effective and complete plowing of City streets. If your car is towed, the City’s Tow Lot will extend its customer service and telephone inquiry hours to 7 AM to 7 PM on Thursday, February 28. Normal hours – 8 AM to 6 PM – will resume on Friday, March 1. Milwaukee Public Schools has designated playgrounds available for off street parking during snow emergencies from 7PM to 7AM. To see a list of designated MPS playgrounds and citywide parking regulations, residents can go to www.milwaukee.gov/mpw – click on the “More on all City Parking Regulations” link and scroll down to MPS Parking for Snow Emergencies. Residents can also call the City Call Center at 286-CITY (2489).  

Name MPS School After Anti-Nazi Hero?

A push to honor Milwaukeean Mildred Fish Harnack, the only American women resistance member executed by Hitler.

Voucher Madness

Gov. Walker wants lots more choice schools, except in Republican districts. Why?

Mayor Barrett’s 2013 State of the City Address

Monday, February 25, 2013, Pritzlaff Building

Al Cimperman

The life and times of an award-winning school social worker.

MPS 2nd graders use persuasive writing to ask for more recess; principal says 1 million Facebook likes and it’s a deal!

Students attend MPS’ Hartford University School

How to Crush Milwaukee

Ending the residency requirement will deal a devastating blow to Milwaukee’s property tax base.

MPS debuts online schools catalog as enrollment is underway

District offers city’s greatest variety of high-quality schools – and programs exclusive to MPS

Open house set for new, merged 81st Street School with individualized learning focus, pre-engineering focus and regular education K3

Will be held Tuesday, Feb. 12 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

All 5,000 MPS 3rd-graders to experience part of science curriculum at Milwaukee Public Museum

Newest Learning Journey partnership to be announced Thursday morning

MPS employee to receive U.S. Department of Defense’s Patriot Award for supporting “citizen warrior” colleague

Speech pathologist Wendy Weir, called a ‘hero’ by 1st Sgt. Ginger Macdonald, to receive award Friday at 12:30 p.m. at MPS Central Services

Board approves plan to transform MPS’ Bay View High School

School to build on science/technology/engineering/arts/math programs to focus on innovation and creativity; middle school to be phased out; smaller 9th-grade class next year; students, staff will be asked to recommit

MPS’ initial budget plans give another boost to art, music, physical ed as budget survey opens

Parents, community members asked to weigh in on priorities

Evers Vs. Pridemore

The battle between State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Evers and challenger Don Pridemore.

Instead of lifting residency requirement, let’s expand school choice and fix the “funding flaw”

As a city leader, I recognize how critically important it is that we have a city that is not only attractive, but that is also a place where people truly want to live.

Acclaimed Charter School Will Expand

Carmen High School, the south side college prep school, will open a second branch on the northwest side.

New Network of Charter Schools Coming

Ex-MPS Superintendent Howard Fuller is helping lead effort, which will delay schools opening to 2014-2015.

M. L. King Library is Open and Will Hold a Special Program on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

All Other Milwaukee Public Libraries are closed for the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday

MPS students sweep qualifier, take all southern Wisconsin spots for national debate tournament

MPS’ Rufus King International School students will compete in Birmingham, Ala. in June; coach wins diamond award

The Ghost Sign That Wasn’t

A bit of fake Milwaukee history, some questionable MATC ads, and debunking a war on pot.

Biggest Taxer in Town

Over the last five years property taxes have been driven by just one of the five local taxing units: Milwaukee Public Schools.

The Long Road to Reform

It took Boston at least a decade to improve its public schools. Is there a lesson for Milwaukee?

Historic Milwaukee Public Schoolhouses

An enjoyable journey through many of Milwaukee's most attractive public school buildings.

Josie Osborne

Chance connections have driven the life of this art instructor and arts advocate.

The Impact of Charter Schools

The promise -- and problems -- of America’s most popular alternative to public schools can be seen in Milwaukee.

Milwaukee Youth Council to hold inauguration ceremony

The City of Milwaukee Youth Council will hold an inauguration ceremony for its 2012-2013 term.

The New Arts Teachers

As MPS dumps arts classes, community groups now offer arts programs for 49,000 students.

Mayor Barrett Announces 6.8% Drop in Teen Births

Through outreach and education efforts, city announces progress in meeting 2015 goal.

Clear Channel Outdoor will provide pro bono digital billboard spots for Milwaukee election info

Clear Channel Outdoor will provide pro bono digital billboard spots for Milwaukee election info.

Milwaukee Public Schools Promotes Fire Safety Awareness

Survive Alive House will host fire safety kick-off and 20th anniversary celebration on October 8.

Stirring words about freedom bring students scholarship awards

Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs today announced the winners of the 5th annual Freedom Scholarship Essay Contest.

Joint statement from Alderman Nik Kovac, Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs, Alderman José G. Pérez and Alderman Ashanti Hamilton

Today’s announcement that Pierce Elementary School and La Escuela Fratney have been chosen as GE Foundation Demonstration Schools is great news.

The Impact of Voucher Schools

How school choice has -- and hasn’t -- worked. Second in a series on education in Milwaukee.

Most Wisconsin High School Graduates Not Prepared for College

Minority Students Lag Significantly

Statewide, School District Reserves Continue to Climb

Though Some Districts See Falling Fund Balances

The Experimental City

Milwaukee may offer more school choices than any city in America. First of a series by a new columnist.

Sprite Spark Parks Grant Helps Milwaukee’s Juneau Playground Basketball Court Get Back in the Game

Beginning this summer, local teens will be able to express their most uncontainable basketball moves on a refurbished local court.

Milwaukee’s Future – Today, June 18th

The Pabst Theater plays host to Envisioning the Seen: Milwaukee's Future tonight, June 18th. Ten Milwaukeeans and two moderators will hold an open-ended, fireside-style discussion, followed by an audience question and answer period.

MPS isn’t Coke or Pepsi, it’s Walmart

America's suburban landscape has become littered with empty blight inducing big-box stores. As Walmart uses up a market, the company shutters stores and moves on to the next neighborhood, leaving hulking vacant boxes and thousands of empty, litter-filled parking spots in its wake.

MPD, MPS, and Open Data

Bradley Tech, a fight, gangs, guns, and more squad cars than you can count. And no news. Why? What happened?

A Small MPS Reform Could Save Money, Add to the Tax Base, and Enhance Competition

People have been looking for a magic bullet to fix Milwaukee's education system, and although what I proposed here isn't the broad sweeping change many are looking for, I do believe in making incremental changes, when possible, to improve individual processes.

Zweig Project Held by City Committee

This committee meeting had numerous items of significance relating to the built environment that were up for debate.  A couple highlights (or lowlights) included the holding of a file over budget concerns, a heated discussion over Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (“CMAQ”) grants, and a most intriguing debate on public art. The approval of the schematic designs of public artwork which is to be incorporated into streetscape improvements within the first block of East Wisconsin Avenue was up for approval.  The project put out a RFQ to which nearly fifty artists responded.  Artist Janet Zweig was selected to design the artwork and at a recent Streetscape Public Art Advisory Committee meeting the committee approved the schematic design.  The design would include five kiosks attached to five light poles.  Each kiosk would essentially be a historical reference to a type of flip board system that existed in train stations.  Each kiosk would display flip movies of Milwaukee, and would be custom built to hold 80 flaps.  This project was funded under the federal CMAQ program to promote walking as an alternative method of transportation by making improvements to the pedestrian experience.  Additionally, of the total project only a little over 1% of funds has been allocated to public art. Initially, Alderman Robert Bauman was concerned that there might be a cost to moving this project forward so he questioned, “tell us why this is even in front of us?”  After much discussion it became clear that this file was just the approval of the schematic design and that as he said “rejecting this concept saves no money.” At this point Alderman Bob Donovan began railing against the design saying “Thomas Edison had that 100 years ago,” and that “I refuse to have my name associated to something as ridiculous as that.”  Alderman Willie Wade took a more measured approach in his response to the work stating “I’m not impressed with this at all” and that “this is too old school for me.”  Attempting to bring the discussion back to the overall idea of improving public space through the addition of public art Alderman Bauman explained that “art is in the eye of the beholder.”  Debra Usinger, who appeared previously in regards to a Riverwalk project, explained that “public art is great” and that despite the sentiment in the room, this art works because “all of a sudden we’ve created discussion in here.”  She added that “I think this is really innovative.”  This file was held to all for public input. A file that would have funded a variety of nonassessable public improvements was held because of future budgetary concerns.  Alderman Joe Dudzik questioned the wisdom of this spending while planning on significant layoffs, which sparked the discussion regarding holding the file.  Wondering if there was a cost to delay action on the file, Alderman Dudzik questioned “is there any urgency in getting this file passed today?”  Apparently if delayed projects might see a increase of 10% to the cost so the […]

Commission Approves Change to MPS Property Sale Process

The first was a step in the formal process of Milwaukee Public Schools (“MPS”) selling properties that have been deemed surplus to their needs.  Specifically, MPS is moving forward on three properties, the Delaware Service Center, Clairmont, and the Happy Hill Elementary School. Unlike other properties held by the City of Milwaukee when MPS is involved the process involves hiring an outside brokerage firm and legal aide to facilitate the process.  Additionally, unlike other City of Milwaukee land sales these sales will prohibit a private schools that participates in the parental choice program from purchasing the property, and prohibits a tax free use of the property unless a PILOTS is created.  This file was approved and will now go before the Public Works Committee. The other item of interest was the proposed rehabilitation of Highbridge condominium building envelop.  This rehabilitation has become needed because of several failures in the construction that has lead to extensive leaking throughout the building.  The brick on the upper floors will be clad over with EIFS to create a new weather barrier, and new windows will be installed throughout the building.  Kelly Thompson, the architect from Facility Engineering, who was hired to render repairs to mitigate these failures stated his desire to insure the rehabilitated building doesn’t take away from the neighborhood by saying “we really don’t want it to look like the Hampton Inn out on the west side of town.”  This file was approved and will now go before the Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee.

MORE Hurdles Proposed for Development Projects within Milwaukee

In what appears to be a rush to significantly alter development efforts within the City of Milwaukee, Alderman Hamilton is proposing additional requirements for development projects that accept more than $1 million in Tax Incremental Financing.

Common Council Allocates Funds for Low-income Housing Development

Resolution 080196 proposed requiring taverns with three or more criminal incidents within a years time frame to install security cameras that cover both the interior and exterior of the establishment.  Alderman Jim Bohl attempted to do his due diligence by asking a series of questions regarding enforcement, when it would go into effect, and the specific definition of a “criminal act”.  He also pointed out that he normally doesn’t like the idea of cameras and “big brother” infringing on our freedoms but that “this legislation is well crafted” and he would support it.  This resolution was approved and will now go before the Mayor. Resolution 080632 generated a long debate over the re-authorization of a $500,000 grant for the Truancy Abatement and Burglary Suppression (“TABS”) program.  Alderman Bohl called this grant “marshmallow fluff” explaining that it had been funded for fifteen years and the truancy rate within Milwaukee Public Schools (“MPS”) has actually risen from 40% to 46%.  The grant currently funds four police officers who in total find nineteen truant students a day, which represent a mere .0025% of the absences within MPS.  Many council members agreed with the belief that this program wasn’t working and Alderman Jim Witkowiak went so far as to say that we “possibly we should consider not funding this anymore”.  This resolution was sent back to the Finance & Personnel Committee. Resolution 080539 proposed utilizing the funds from the sale of land for the development of Kilbourn Tower to fund loans for the low-income development and rehabilitation projects in Milwaukee.  There was a short debate spurred by Alderman Joe Dudzik that considered sending this resolution back to the Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development committee to potentially find a different use for the funds.  Alderman Willie Wade stated that “to me its a blessing to even have these funds available” and reinforced the majority of the council’s belief that this file should move forward.  The motion to send back to committee was rejected and this resolution will now go before the Mayor. Par ailleurs, d‘autres facteurs peuvent donc terrestres, sont autorisés à travers tout joueur n’étant pas accès. Les principaux établissements de l’Est, la plupart des autres nations avec les autres. La légalité des joueurs aux plus modernes, les joueurs peuvent influencer l’accès des nations avec celles-ci se . meilleurs casinos Par ailleurs, d‘autres facteurs peuvent influencer l’accès des joueurs aux établissements de cantons, soit 26 au totale. Et comme la plupart des autres nations européennes, elle offre à une panoplie de jeux. Inscrit parmi les divers établissements de jeux une nation composé de casinos physiques, donc .

Public Works Committee Approves Water Deal

Resolution 071440, sponsored by Alderman Jim Bohl, requested an exception to city requirements that sidewalks be developed during the repaving of Good Hope Rd. It specifically requested that the area between 91st St. to 107th St. be excluded from the requirement because this area is more rural than urban. It was pointed out during the meeting that schools located on arterial roads without sidewalks require busing of students by law and therefore not installing the sidewalks will insure higher costs for Milwaukee Public Schools . Despite this Alderman Bohl’s Legislative Assistant Todd Peterson and Alderman Robert Puente argued that the people they represent don’t want sidewalks. The rest of the committee must of felt sidewalks are an important feature of an urban environment or considered the MPS issue significant as they placed the resolution on file. Resolution 071313 was the reintroduction of the contract agreeing to water sales between the City of Milwaukee and the Village of Menomonee Falls. During the last meeting the committee held the file because of amendments put forward by the Village of Menomonee Falls. Alderman Robert Bauman pointed out that the Village of Menomonee Falls would of been gaining new benefits but “they offered nothing in return”. Specifically the original resolution potentially could of allowed the Village on Menomonee Falls to sell some of their ground water across the divide by importing more Milwaukee water further encouraging suburban development by utilizing a City of Milwaukee resource. In response to these issues Alderman Bauman proposed the current resolution saying it has the “same terms and conditions” as well as the “same service area” as the existing contract. This resolution was approved by the committee and heads to the full Common Council for approval.

Scooter Schmidt Dead

Water Street fixture Scott “Scooter” Schmidt, 42, was shot in his home at 202 E. North Avenue at 11:45 p.m. Wednesday evening.

Jeff Stone Punk’d?

Seems like somebody is messing around with Rep. Jeff Stone's campaign identity.

Taxes Due on Site of Suspicious 2002 OIC Fire

On March 10, 2002, a five-alarm fire destroyed the plant of Opportunities Pallet Recycling and Manufacturing Co, Inc.

“Groundbreaking” for Bridge

Pratt’s “Reimbursement” Mystery Money

Acting Mayor Pockets $7,500 with no explanation

Who’s on Fifth?

An $89 billion bank is muscling its way into the Milwaukee market, and you read about it here first.

Krug Scores Joint Finance Seat

Rep. Shirley Krug was chosen Monday to take a seat on the influential Joint Committee on Finance

Is Scott Walker Qualified To Be County Exec?

Rep. Scott K. Walker (R-Wauwatosa) was the first candidate to announce for county executive, and is widely considered one of the front-runners for the position.

The Milwaukee School Board’s Incumbent Protection Plan

Consultant Fred Kessler drew up a redistricting plan that would carve out a Hispanic school board district, but almost no one on the board seems to support the idea.

How Scott McCallum Plans to Raise Your Taxes

Sometime in the coming week, Gov. Scott McCallum will be meeting secretly with lobbyists in Minocqua, of all places, to discuss a plan to cut school spending and force property tax increases as a way to balance the state budget.

Is Superintendent Korte In Trouble With The School Board?

At first glance, Milwaukee school superintendent Spence Korte looks like he could be on the chopping block.

Why Are Homeowners Subsidizing Cable TV?

Republican and Democrats can't agree on much, as they squabble over the state budget, but both parties seem to think that AOL Time Warner needs a tax break.

Why Can’t MATC Get A Good President?

Is it possible that no one wants to be president of Milwaukee Area Technical College?

Is Mayor Norquist Sleeping on School Choice?

In the London Times, Mayor John Norquist is prominently quoted in a story on Milwaukee's school choice program.

The Rise and Fall of Polly Williams

Time was when Rep. Annette Polly Williams (D-Milwaukee) was the star of the conservative talk circuit.

The Raging Bull of MATC

For eight years, Milwaukee Area Technical College President John Birkholz has terrorized his staff and even the board members who hired him, while alienating members of the business community.