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.
Superintendent Posley's resignation last night may signify an opportunity for substantial change within MPS or could merely serve as a scapegoat for a struggling school board. Amid calls for recalling board members, existing state laws offer potential pathways for reform.
The Opportunity Schools and Partnership Program (OSPP), part of the 2015-17 state budget, was designed to foster new leadership in underperforming districts, with a focus on Milwaukee. Under OSPP, a Commissioner is appointed from a list created by the Milwaukee County Executive, Governor, and Mayor. The appointee has authority over up to five low-performing schools if MPS falls into the lowest category on the state report card—a status it has avoided recently.
However, political pressures hindered OSPP's implementation from its inception. Demond Means, Superintendent of Mequon-Thiensville at that time, was appointed Commissioner but showed reluctance to take decisive action. WILL noted Means' refusal to fulfill his legal duties: “has no intention of taking control of any of MPSs’ struggling schools.” Instead, Means proposed a collaborative approach with MPS which ultimately failed due to lack of cooperation from the district. Upon resigning, Means stated: “It is now clear to me that as implementation of the law moves forward, the environment is not conducive to collaborative partnerships — something essential for positive things to happen in Milwaukee.”
Following Means' resignation, OSPP ceased operations without appointing a new Commissioner or legislative enforcement. Currently, MPS is deemed "meeting expectations" on state report cards despite having less than 20% proficiency in math and English Language Arts (ELA). WILL has criticized this assessment system as uninformative for parents and policymakers.
Alternative solutions have been discussed among Milwaukee business leaders and MPS parents. Former Senator Alberta Darling proposed legislation to divide MPS into smaller districts—a move rooted in reform aspirations but with uncertain outcomes regarding actual improvements. Smaller districts often perform better due to demographic factors such as wealthier and less diverse student populations compared to larger districts.
Reviving OSPP could be crucial for initiating reforms at MPS by enforcing external oversight through an empowered Commissioner who views collaboration with MPS skeptically. Legislative commitment would be necessary to fund this position adequately—unlike during Means' unpaid tenure.
MPS’s issues extend beyond recent financial missteps; systemic failures have persisted for over fifty years leading up to America's first school choice program in 1990. However, about 70% of students remain within public schools. Renewing OSPP might offer one clear path toward meaningful reform that legislators and the Governor should consider utilizing.
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