The Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) board meeting last night underscored a shift in the community's stance, as parents and teachers voiced their concerns. The district's recent lapses in financial reporting to the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and mismanagement of the Headstart program could potentially cost MPS hundreds of millions of dollars, eroding trust between the district and its stakeholders. This loss of confidence follows the district’s successful $252 million referendum secured in April.
In 2022, Wisconsin had $184.3 million in total cash and investment holdings in its public pension funds, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's Annual Survey of Public Pensions.
As of May 2024, Wisconsin experienced a 19.8% increase in prices of goods and services since January 2021, compared to the nationwide trend of a 20.1% increase.