To get the MPS we deserve, start listening to families in Milwaukee for a change | Opinion

As I sat and listened during Monday’s school board meeting, what struck me most through the shouting, clapping and raw emotions on display was the multitude of parents feeling unheard.

It's been a tumultuous week at MPS following the resignation of Superintendent Keith Posley Monday, the firing of the district's comptroller Tuesday and the temporary withholding of state aid Thursday. There's been a flurry of ideas on how to propel Milwaukee Public Schools forward, but I keep coming back to the persistent failure to listen to students and parents.

We can argue about the money, order audits, debate who should be the next superintendent, discuss breaking the district into smaller pieces, and even consider withholding referendum dollars. We can even argue that a mayoral takeover is the best way to fix MPS or not.

But if we fail to listen to our most valuable resource — the students and families — and ensure their needs are being addressed, then MPS will continue to fail no matter what we do.

Time to revive a mayoral takeover at MPS or face a perpetually failing system

A good example of that failure to listen came last summer. A group of youths spoke about what they’d like to see happen to improve MPS during a panel discussion hosted at Bader Philanthropies. High on their list was to hire more teachers of color and have greater representation of Black and Brown counselors and nurses. These are sensible actions that we know can make things better.

Yet despite receiving $252 million from taxpayers in an April referendum, MPS still plans to lay off nearly 300 positions, including 149 teachers, 13 nurses, nine counselors, three psychologists and other vital positions.

No shortage of proposals for fixing MPS' problems

In the wake of Posley’s resignation following news that MPS was months behind on filing required financial reports to the state, a number of reform proposals have come forward. Former Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson urged lawmakers to seriously consider the dissolution of the state's largest school district. He cites the ongoing financial and leadership issues as the primary catalyst for his suggestion.

Thompson, 82, who oversaw the launch and expansion of Wisconsin's taxpayer-funded voucher school program, said MPS has been failing students for 40 years.

"What we’re doing is, we’re failing. We’re failing the students that go to Milwaukee Public Schools,” Thompson said during a Milwaukee Press Club event.

Thompson said Mayor Cavalier Johnson and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, both MPS graduates, should be involved in a “Blue Ribbon Commission” to study the school system "from the beginning to the end" and recommend solutions after a 90-day period. He also wants the district split up and taken over because he said the status quo doesn’t work.

Milwaukee Alderman Scott Spiker advocated for the school board to refrain from implementing the complete referendum endorsed by voters in April. Instead, he said the board should convene another session devoted to the district's budget, allowing residents a better opportunity to provide input.

Johnson later clarified that he has no interest in a mayoral takeover. Instead, he hopes a renewed focus will be on improving education at all schools, including MPS, charter, and private schools across the city. On Friday, he reiterated that he doesn't want to takeover the schools, but wants to interview superintendent candidates and offered the assistance of the city's finance department.

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The idea of dividing the district has been discussed for years. However, I don't think this is the solution. I do not favor having multiple superintendents, budgets, and school boards, especially when we struggle to have confidence in the existing one.

Spiker's suggestion not to implement the entire referendum approved by voters in April should be considered. I understand Spiker's frustration, but withholding funding for the district, which claims it is already insufficient, could lead to even more cuts that negatively impact our students.

Transparency and trust must play vital role in mending MPS

While I think the best move in the future would be a mayoral takeover, no matter who is selected as the next school superintendent, three things must happen.

First, students must be given a platform to express themselves and feel valued. Second, parental involvement is crucial, but either of these things to work, MPS needs listen and actually act on what it hears. The anger and frustration expressed Monday was clearly a reflection of feeling ignored. The educational institution must be receptive to their input. Every conceivable idea should be explored to enhance literacy and bridge the academic disparities between Black and white students.

Finally, MPS must address its financial situation promptly. The incoming superintendent will face significant challenges and be tasked with restoring confidence among students, parents, educators, and taxpayers. Transparency and trust are crucial for the new superintendent and the current school board. This is the only way to regain the trust lost due to the financial issues and to guarantee open communication and accountability which has been seriously lacking.

Are MPS leaders listening? Voters sent message with narrow referendum victory.

Taxpayers are becoming increasingly frustrated. They question why MPS still has overcrowded classrooms despite employing 8,600 full-time staff members for more than 69,100 students in 156 schools. Moreover, they are seeking clarification on why the district, with a budget of $1.5 billion, continues to require additional funding from taxpayers, particularly given the district's significant reading achievement gap between Black and white students, which is among the widest in the country.

Taxpayers feel deceived by the MPS board, which neglected to disclose crucial information regarding the referendum. Many have expressed their belief that the referendum should be revoked or put on hold until the current board is replaced by independent, nonpartisan leadership from outside the district, as they have lost trust in the current board.

I acknowledge Posley for taking the responsibility and resigning. Although he was not entirely at fault for the district's failure to submit necessary financial data to the state, as the leader, it occurred under his tenure.

To achieve genuine progress, it is crucial for MPS to consider the input of students, parents, teachers, and taxpayers - those most directly involved - rather than solely adhering to the ideas and desires of politicians.

Reach James E. Causey at [email protected]; follow him on X @jecausey.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: MPS must listen to parents, not politicians to succeed for Milwaukee