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Milwaukee Public Schools cuts; teachers union calls them "chaotic"
It is budget season, and with that comes cuts at Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS). The Milwaukee teachers union calls those cuts chaotic.
MILWAUKEE - Growing backlash is emerging over cuts at Milwaukee Public Schools as district leaders work to close a $46 million budget shortfall.
What we know:
District leaders approved cuts impacting 263 roles, including vacant positions, with 201 staff members affected. Officials say the cuts are necessary as the district faces long-term financial challenges.
Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association (MTEA) leaders are calling for a special board meeting to halt the cuts and reconsider the plan. MTEA called the process chaotic and demanded immediate action as MPS moves forward.
"We all share a deep concern for the direction of Milwaukee Public Schools under existing leadership that is destabilizing school communities and eroding trust," said Ingrid Walker-Henry, MTEA president.
Back in March, MPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius announced roughly 200 layoffs to help close a $46 million budget shortfall next school year. MPS officials say that will support smaller class size guidelines.
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On Monday, April 6, the teachers union, alongside an MPS student and parents, asked for those cuts to be reversed by maintaining or increasing hours for critical frontline staff – paraprofessionals and children's health assistants, for example. They are also asking for a cost of living adjustment for workers, and a pause on the budget process.
Cassellius said the district must act now as it faces a projected $400 million deficit over the next four years.
What they're saying:
"Going out four years we have a $400M deficit, so we need to start controlling spending now so this is absolutely critical," Cassellius said. "So when I’m thinking about the next school year, I'm thinking about the next school year when referendum dollars are going to start to run out."
"Reverse the superintendent's cuts by maintaining or increasing hours for critical and frontline staff, including paraprofessionals and children's health assistants," said Walker-Henry.
The union is also calling for a cost-of-living adjustment by July 1.
"Cuts without clear guidance, without a real plan and without transparency," said Nadine Digman, MPS Parents for a Fair Budget.
"Many students like myself will be fighting back against these cuts during our student strike day on April 24 at Cathedral Square," said Elijah Shorts, Youth Empowered in the Struggle.
District leaders said the cuts would not take effect until next school year.
"I think they are reasonable, they continue to want to see transparency, we are trying to provide as much transparency as we can," Cassellius said.
Cassellius said a special session is already scheduled for May, along with a public hearing on the budget. The budget is expected to be presented to the board in May, with a vote expected in June.
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The cuts will not go into effect until the next school year.
The Source: Information in this post was provided through interviews with MPS and MTEA personnel.