Statement from the Milwaukee Public Schools Board of Directors June 7, 2024
First, the Board wants to emphasize our commitment to the students, families, and staff of the District. These key groups count on MPS to prepare our youth for success in higher education, post-education opportunities, work, and citizenship. This is our mission and our guide as we navigate any and all situations.
A few points in response to comments we heard today from the governor and Milwaukee’s mayor:
The Board welcomes the funded audit and continued partnership expressed by Wisconsin State Governor Tony Evers today. We agree that what matters most in all of this is our kids.
Additionally, we welcome the offer of comptroller and superintendent search assistance from the City of Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson. We welcome and encourage the public’s participation in our schools, and we echo the mayor’s call for even greater civic engagement. We absolutely agree that the public should weigh in on the MPS budget. The series of public hearings we’ve held on this budget represents both our legal and ethical obligations. It is critical that the district have an approved 2024-25 budget in a timely fashion so our school community has the resources it needs for the next school year.
The Board continues to appreciate a high level of interest in our district, students, families and staff.
All media inquiries should be directed to governance@milwaukee.k12.wi.us.
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 Board of School Directors
So brave of them to “go on the record.” Sarcasm, of course. The entire Board needs to resign and we should have a special election on the November ballot. Not to mention an indefinite pause of the $252m tax hike they obtained through misrepresentations.
Once upon a time MPS had a bulletproof award winning system of fiscal and business integrity. The roles of the superintendent and secretary business manager were distinctly separate. The superintendent’s job was to be the instructional leader. The Secretary-Business manager ran the business, financial and facilities side of MPS. In those days never a hint of mismanagement. That all came to end when Governor Thompson and the legislature thought they had better ideas on how to make MPS “more accountable.” The “new system,” create a layer employee/managers who served at the pleasure of the superintendent; independence, checks and balances… gone. Here’s a novel idea that might gain some steam: hire a superintendent who is the chief education officer and that is how she or he is evaluated and compensated. Then hire a top rate certified secretary-business manager. Someone for whom the MPS accounting system and building capacity/facility issues are the foremost priority. Then elect a board to provide oversight and policy direction.