MPS budget gap, proposals would cut 260 non-classroom positions

MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent Brenda Cassellius on Friday announced a series of budget proposals designed to address the district’s $46 million structural budget gap.

Shifting resources

What they're saying:

The plan includes reducing roughly 260 non‑classroom positions and shifting resources from MPS Central Services to schools. The district said the reductions, which would take effect for the 2026–27 school year pending school board approval, would save about $30 million.

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"It is an extremely difficult day for us here in Milwaukee Public Schools, but in the end, I'm still hopeful. I'm hopeful for our students, I'm hopeful for all of the employees we have, and every single employee matters to us," said Cassellius. "This is hard, and we'll get through it."

Officials said no classroom teacher positions are being cut to close the budget gap. That said, the district may need fewer teachers where there is lower enrollment. About 40 of the 263 positions being eliminated are already vacant, meaning that not all reductions will result in layoffs. Affected employees eligible for classroom-based roles will be encouraged to apply for available positions.

What's next:

In the announcement, Cassellius stressed that MPS faces rising costs while receiving a $0 state increase in general aid for 2026-27 public school students. While the recent referendum has helped to support arts, physical education, mental health services, and career exploration, the superintendent indicated it does not make up for the lack of state-funded inflation increases.

Proposed reductions

By the numbers:

The approximately 263 position reductions include the following, according to the school district:

• MPS Central Services: About 116 positions from the offices of Academics; Communications; Family, Community, and Partnership; Finance; Human Resources; Operations; Schools office; and the Superintendent’s office
• Non‑classroom school‑based roles: About 147 positions, including assistant principals, deans of students, and implementers

Student support

Dig deeper:

MPS said the district will also "establish a unified department for student support and belonging, bringing together staff dedicated to each of the following efforts: Black and Latino Male Achievement; Gender Identity and Inclusion; Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS); and Restorative Practices. While some of these areas had been expanded in prior years using federal COVID-19 relief funds, these funds are no longer available to support the increased number of coaching positions. MPS will work with this team to design districtwide professional development and school-based strategies to support students that align with the work of existing school-based counselors, social workers, psychologists, nurses and other resources."

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Reaction

What they're saying:

MTEA President Ingrid Walker-Henry issued the following statement on this matter:

"MPS Administration is purposefully withholding information that the Board, the public and loyal MPS workers need to understand the impact of the superintendent's proposed job cuts. The Administration’s announcement withholds the line-by-line positions and job titles that would be cut. They are asking the School Board to rubber-stamp a plan without the detailed information needed to make responsible, informed decisions. 

"The Administration needs to provide a list of exactly what positions would be eliminated under this plan, as well as how the duties of those positions will be absorbed without the people currently serving in those roles. 

"Without seeing specific, line-by-line positions and job titles that would be cut, no rank-and-file worker should face the possibility of losing their job, and the Board should not blindly trust this Administration to act in the best interest of MPS students."