MPS Proposed Budget Adds Teachers and Classroom Support, Reduces Administrative Staff
Balanced Budget Plan to Be Presented to School Board This Week
(MILWAUKEE) — Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) Superintendent Brenda Cassellius today announced a $1.6 billion proposed budget for the 2026-27 school year that prioritizes bringing resources closest to students while addressing the district’s $46 million deficit. The balanced budget will be presented to the Milwaukee Board of School Directors on Thursday, May 7, and they will vote on its adoption later this month.
“MPS is at an inflection point, and this budget will guide our next steps toward accelerating student achievement, ensuring staff are where we need them, and that our schools are safe and welcoming for all,” said Dr. Cassellius. “We had to make very tough decisions that have impacted talented colleagues that we respect and care for. At the same time, we have an obligation to our students, their families, and the taxpayers of Milwaukee to use these resources in a way that will take MPS in a direction that is sustainable and effective.”
This budget proposal directs more money to school budgets — and less to nearly every central office department compared to the current year. Key updates include:
Investing in classrooms
- Adding 150 more classroom teaching positions next year to manage and reduce class size, giving students more one-on-one attention so all students learn to read
- Adding 138 more paraprofessional positions next year to support classrooms and schools
- Maintaining strong support for art, music and physical education teaching positions, with a slight increase of six positions next year
Investing in valued employees
- Providing a cost of living increase for all employees of 2.63% by January 2027, phased in with a 1.5% increase in July 2026 and another 1.13% in January 2027
- Budgeting investments to reward employees for their years with the district and educational achievements, known as steps and lanes
- Providing up to 40 hours of work for paraprofessionals and children’s health assistants based on school need and employee interest
Making tough decisions
- Reducing by 53 the number of district administrators/administrative staff positions
- Reducing by an additional 53 the number of assistant principal positions, while maintaining a 350:1 student to assistant principal ratio that is stronger than peer districts
- Reducing purchased services from outside vendors by $46 million, including contracts and costs related to charter schools no longer authorized by the district; (this creates shorter-term savings but longer-term enrollment challenges the district will work to address)
These figures are estimates in the 2026-27 proposed budget and final numbers will be based upon enrollment and the final budget approved this fall.
Feedback from budget meetings, stakeholder conversations and meetings with our high school students has helped shape the budget proposal.
You can find the full proposed budget, and answers to frequently asked questions, on our 2026-27 budget planning page.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by Milwaukee Public Schools
Board Unanimously Re-Elects Zombor President of Milwaukee Board of School Directors; Ferguson Elected Vice President
Apr 29th, 2026 by Milwaukee Public SchoolsMilwaukee Board of School Directors Appoints Leadership at Tuesday’s Annual Organizational Meeting
MPS Board Approves 1.5% Wage Increase for MTEA Represented Employees in July, Additional 1.13% in January
Apr 28th, 2026 by Milwaukee Public SchoolsEmployees will reach a 2.63% increase by January 2027
