Statement of Mark A. Sain, President of the Milwaukee Board of School Directors

Dr. Darienne Driver is Superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools, and I support her and the committee meeting process and policies of the Milwaukee Board of School Directors.

Recently, the Milwaukee Public School Board’s Accountability, Finance and Personnel Committee discussed a number of important, and for some, emotional issues – a lease for one of our charter partners and compensation changes made as part of the Fiscal Year 18 budget. At times the discussion became heated and disrespectful to audience members, committee members, district staff, and MPS Superintendent Darienne Driver.

To be clear, there will be times when Dr. Driver and the Board do not agree. That is natural and to be expected. When that occurs, those issues will be discussed during meetings of the Milwaukee Board of School Directors, not in public statements or comments that are unfair to both the Board and the superintendent.

As a community, we all share in the sometimes difficult, and always important, work of giving our children the best education possible. As a leader in Milwaukee, Dr. Driver is recognized nationally for innovation and program implementation. She is the chairperson of the Council of the Great City Schools, and was elected to that position by dozens of superintendents in large school districts across the country. Dr. Driver’s sole focus, our sole focus, is on doing what is best for our students, employees, and the community. I support that focus and Dr. Driver.

In just three years, she has guided and supported our students and staff through challenging times as we have focused on the most important work we do – improving outcomes for all our children. Her initiatives include:

• Development of Eight Big Ideas, a series of organization-wide strategies that link and reinforce efforts to improve student achievement
• Expansion of popular and in-demand programs including Montessori, International Baccalaureate, language immersion, and career and technical education
• Creation of 20 high school-based College & Career Centers where students get information and support as they plan for their futures
• Expansion of college-level Advanced Placement classes, including the use of telepresence to give students the opportunity to take advanced classes offered in other schools
• Development of a new department to improve the educational achievement of Black and Latino male students

There is still work to be done. Resources need to be secured for our children and their schools, student achievement must improve and we must work together – families, students, teachers, staff, superintendent, and Board. I support this community and I support Dr. Driver as she works to create better opportunities and outcomes for our young people, the children of Milwaukee.

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.

Recent Press Releases by President of the Milwaukee Board of School Directors Mark Sain

MPS Board President Mark Sain issues statement regarding Dr. Driver’s resignation

Apr 3rd, 2018 by President of the Milwaukee Board of School Directors Mark Sain

"I wish her the very best."

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Jan 1st, 2017 by President of the Milwaukee Board of School Directors Mark Sain