MPS spokesman confirms 719 MPS staff members leaving

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- An MPS spokesman confirmed to FOX6 News on Wednesday, April 3rd that 719 MPS staff members, including 503 teachers will leave the district after this school year.

MPS Spokesman Tony Tagliavia says this was anticipated by the district, and that is why the district has been holding recruitment events leading up to the 2013-2014 school year.

”We have a significant number of employees, including teachers, who are retirement eligible. This is really the third year of that wave brought on in large part because baby boomers represent a very significant share of our workforce in the district," MPS Spokesman Tony Tagliavia said.

Tagliavia said MPS is serious about recruiting the best and brightest to its rank. The district has boosted starting salaries to $41,000 from $37,721.

The district is also giving teachers coming into hard-to-fill positions like science, bilingual positions and special education positions extra time to meet the residency requirement.

"They will be coming into a district that’s made a lot of progress, put in significant reforms. Our graduation rate is up 17% between now and the class of 2000," Tagliavia said.

The district hosted five recruitment events in February and March.

“Teachers and paraprofessionals attending that district wide event in March could walk away with a contract," Tagliavia said.

Applicants seeking additional information can CLICK HERE to learn more or apply. They can also contact the Milwaukee Public Schools Office of Human Resources at (414) 475-8224 for more information.