Milwaukee mayor says he will not 'take over' schools but will be more involved

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said at a press conference Friday that he has no intention of taking over Milwaukee Public Schools, while school board members work to pull the district through an accounting crisis amid the departure of the superintendent and comptroller.

However, Johnson said he would get more involved.

"Let me be very, very clear. I'm not seeking to have the mayor's office take over the schools in this city," Johnson said. "I am standing here today to be a central partner to solve the problems and improve educational outcomes here in Milwaukee."

Also getting more involved: the city's comptroller, Bill Christianson, who said he would help MPS as it scrambles to complete crucial financial reports that are months late.

"When we learned about some of the financial reporting challenges and vacancies in critical finance roles, we felt compelled to offer our assistance," Christianson said.

Christianson said school board members were "receptive" to the offer and would have more conversations about their specific needs. He said it's unclear how long his office might offer that assistance.

Jilly Gokalgandhi, vice president of the Milwaukee School Board, said she welcomed the support from city officials and from Gov. Tony Evers, who on Friday called for audits of MPS' operations and educational practices.

"We are really appreciative of the governor's and the mayor's support," Gokalgandhi said. "We look forward to working in partnership to ensure the best outcomes for our kids and our families."

Johnson also said Friday that he supported the audits suggested by Evers.

"We've reached an extremely important juncture as it relates to education in Milwaukee," Johnson said. "Plans must be advanced to address leadership and financial issues."

Johnson wants to interview superintendent candidates

Johnson said he wants a seat at the table when school board members interview finalists for the permanent superintendent position during the board's national search, though he said he still believes board members should maintain their power to appoint the candidate of their choosing.

"I want to have my voice heard, because I'm going to be working directly with that superintendent," Johnson said, added that he has been working since becoming mayor to "reestablish the link" between his office and the superintendent's.

Milwaukee School Board member Megan O'Halloran said she welcomed the mayor's involvement in the process.

"In addition to being the mayor, he's an MPS parent, and an MPS graduate who succeeded in the face of many challenges," O'Halloran said in a text Friday. "I think his perspective is valuable on many levels."

The school board is scheduled to consider interim superintendent candidates at a meeting on Thursday. After that interim is in place, the board plans to launch a national search for a permanent superintendent.

Johnson raises issue of school board election schedule and turnout

Johnson said Milwaukee needs "more top-notch school board directors" and noted that school board elections in Milwaukee have "shamefully, shamefully low turnout."

"It's not uncommon to have fewer than one in six voters show up and take part in school board elections in this city," Johnson said. "We need more from the people in this community."

In an upcoming special school board election to replace Aisha Carr, who resigned mid-term, only one candidate is running.

Asked whether he has a problem with the current board members, he said no. Asked whether he has confidence in them, he said: "That's a question for voters, and that's why I'm asking for people in Milwaukee to step up and be a part of the solution."

Johnson suggested there could be consideration of changing the timing of school board elections "to coincide with bigger turnout elections." He didn't share more details on that idea.

In Milwaukee, school board elections take place in the spring of odd-numbered years while mayoral and aldermanic elections take place every four years in the spring of even-numbered years. While fall elections generate higher voter turnout because of bigger races on the ballot, state statute requires regular school board elections to take place in spring.

Reached after the press conference, Mayor's Office spokesman Jeff Fleming said the mayor was just posing a question and was "not likely to push for election changes by himself."

"He wants to spur a discussion on the structure and timing of elections," Fleming said in an email. "The goal is to promote resident engagement. The timing of elections could be one change – although that would likely get bogged down in the legislative process in Madison."

Journal Sentinel reporter Alison Dirr contributed to this report.

Contact Rory Linnane at [email protected]. Follow her on X (Twitter) at @RoryLinnane. 

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee mayor says he will not 'take over' schools but will be more involved