MPS budget plan advances without changes amid $46M deficit debate
MPS budget plan advances without changes
The MPS board committee advanced Superintendent Brenda Cassellius’ $1.6 billion budget without changes Tuesday night as the district works to close a $46 million deficit.
MILWAUKEE - A Milwaukee Public Schools board committee reviewed Superintendent Brenda Cassellius’ proposed $1.6 billion budget Tuesday night, May 19, and advanced it without changes.
What we know:
The Committee on Strategy and Budget meeting started at 5:30 p.m. and wrapped up less than two hours later. Only two items were on the agenda: consideration of the budget and possible amendments.
MPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius
Cassellius’ budget includes adding 150 teaching positions and 140 paraprofessional positions in classrooms while cutting more than 100 administrative staff and assistant principal positions.
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The proposal is part of the district’s effort to address a $46 million deficit.
Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS)
The budget has faced pushback, and the process became more difficult after a state budget surplus deal failed last week. That deal would have included millions of dollars for special education funding.
During public comment Tuesday, teachers, community members and parents demanded transparency and raised concerns about the budget. Speakers advocated for alternative schools and community schools, while others raised concerns about what they described as a reduction in multilingual and bilingual education funding.
Milwaukee Public Schools budget debate, emotions run high Thursday
Emotions ran high at a Milwaukee school board meeting as leaders and the public discussed a budget for and plans to address a $46 million deficit.
District officials said the budget includes four additional teaching positions and two paraprofessional positions for district alternative schools.
Cassellius also said nine assistant principals have been reinstated for middle schools and high schools after district leaders listened to requests.
If funding gaps or concerns persist after the legislative session, the matter will be brought back to the board for review.
What they're saying:
"I believe the board and superintendent recognized the importance of these programs and we are going to continue to push and fight for these students and their families and their needs," said Ingrid Walker-Henry, president of the Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association.
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Cassellius said she anticipates legislative shifts and possible funding changes by October, when the session resumes.
MPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius
"As we learn in this tight budget there are some outliers that you still have to make changes and we'll continue to look throughout the summer as well, as we develop towards our October final budget," Cassellius said.
What's next:
The full board is scheduled to vote next Thursday.
The Source: The information in this post was provided by Milwaukee Public Schools and prior coverage of the school district.