Milwaukee Public Schools’ $1.6 Billion Budget Proposal Aims to Resolve Deficit and Enhance Education
Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) is set to present a comprehensive $1.6 billion budget for the upcoming year, a strategic move designed to tackle a significant budget shortfall. The plan comes in the wake of an audit revealing a $46 million deficit due to overspending.
To address this financial gap, MPS plans to streamline its administrative structure by cutting over 100 positions, including administrative and assistant principal roles. At the same time, the district intends to reinforce its educational offerings by hiring more than 200 teaching and paraprofessional staff.
MPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius expressed the importance of resolving budgetary challenges before shifting focus to enhancing academic programs. Speaking on WPR’s “Wisconsin Today,” Cassellius emphasized the need for fiscal clarity and the completion of critical audits.
“When I got here about a year ago, we had a pretty desperate situation with our fiscal office,” stated Cassellius. “We had to get that in order by finishing our three audits and then get a clear sight of where we were at.”
Over the past year, MPS has grappled with numerous challenges, including staff reductions, extensive lead remediation, and financial restraints imposed by the state Department of Public Instruction. Cassellius addressed these issues alongside the district’s proposals for budget adjustments and potential school closures.
Addressing Staffing and Enrollment Concerns
In the budget proposal, a controversial decision involves reducing over 100 positions in the administrative sector. Cassellius explained, “We were a little bit heavy on our operations side and at a central office and a little light on the classroom side. We wanted to get resources closest to our students.”
Despite concerns from the teachers’ union about filling new classroom positions, Cassellius remains optimistic. “I think so. And we definitely want to ensure that we have a permanent, caring, licensed teacher in every single classroom,” she said, highlighting MPS’s competitive benefits and salary offerings.
Another feature of the budget proposal is a 2.63 percent cost-of-living pay raise for employees, although it will be staggered. Cassellius acknowledged the difficulty of this decision, citing the $50 million deficit as a primary factor.
Adapting to Declining Enrollment
The district is also facing declining enrollment, a challenge shared by many communities nationwide. Cassellius noted the impact of reduced birth rates and the competitive nature of the School Choice Program in Wisconsin.
“Milwaukee and all of Wisconsin have the School Choice Program options for parents to be able to choose their schooling for their children, and that creates a competitive environment,” Cassellius remarked, emphasizing the quality of MPS’s programs like International Baccalaureate and Montessori.
Potential School Closures Under Consideration
Cassellius has been open about the possibility of closing some school buildings, particularly given their average age of 85 years. “There’s a lot of deferred maintenance in our schools, and just closing that inventory will save the district money over the next decade,” she explained.
The district aims to repurpose these buildings for community use, potentially converting them into affordable housing or civic spaces, thereby reinvesting in the community and optimizing the use of available resources.
