MTEA Supports Placing Operating Referendum on April Ballot

MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association (MTEA) announced their support for a referendum and encourages Milwaukee to support our neighborhood public schools by voting Yes for MPS students. MTEA expects the Milwaukee Board of School Directors to place an operating referendum on the April 2024 ballot at a special meeting of the full board tonight.

“MPS students deserve to enter the 2024-25 school year, and to return every fall, with no cuts to their classrooms,” said Amy Mizialko, MTEA President. “Despite a $7 billion surplus, the current state budget failed to adequately fund public education, leaving districts around Wisconsin, including Milwaukee, with one choice: pass a referendum to ensure public school students have the opportunities they deserve like art, music, gym and library, access to a school nurse, and high quality, certified teachers and support staff in every classroom. In the face of this failure at the state level, I know Milwaukee will come together to support our public school students.”

Milwaukee voters overwhelmingly approved a referendum in 2020 to build upon the services that MPS students have access to because they agree that our students deserve the same opportunities as students in wealthier suburban districts. That referendum passed in a landslide 78-22 vote. The proposed 2024 referendum would allow MPS to maintain and fully implement these important programs like art, music, gym, and library for every school.

“Milwaukee voters overwhelmingly passed the 2020 referendum, making it clear that they demand a robust public school system that sets every student up for success, regardless of their zip code,” said Mizialko. “While the state has failed to provide public school students with the resources they need, we must do the right thing for our students by coming together to ensure they have the services and opportunities they deserve. I’m confident the Milwaukee community will do just that and vote Yes for MPS.”

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.