"Please work with us:" Chris Abele urges Milwaukee School Board to join turnaround plan for failing schools



MILWAUKEE -- With just a week to go before the deadline, Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele is pleading with the Milwaukee School Board to join a turnaround plan for failing schools. The deadline has been set for Thursday, June 23rd.

Chris Abele



"Please work with us. We want to work with you," said Abele on Thursday, June 16th.

So far, Abele says he has gotten a cold shoulder.

"We've repeatedly asked if they've had other questions and they haven't gotten back to us. They haven't taken meetings. In fact, they've canceled a meeting," Abele said.

District officials says they tried to set up a meeting with Abele and his appointed commissioner, but we have yet to receive confirmation of their attendance.

Darienne Driver



Superintendent Darienne Driver said Wednesday that MPS is following Abele's timeline.

"We need to take as much time as possible to make sure we have a response that really speaks to the needs of our system while holding everyone accountable," Driver said.

Under the proposal, one failing school would fall under the control of Abele's commissioner this fall. More schools could be affected in the future. If MPS takes part, the district would keep state funding for those schools, but at a lower rate.

The teacher's union urges MPS not to join -- meaning a third-party operator would run the school and MPS would lose more funding. So union representatives want Abele to ignore the law completely.

Kim Schroeder



"There have been huge moments in our history where people said no, this is wrong, and I'm going to stand against this," said Kim Schroeder, president of the Milwaukee Teachers' Education Association.

Abele said that is not an option.

"If we all wake up on June 24 and there isn't a decision, the law is still the law," Abele said.

The Republican who co-created this law tells FOX6 News that if local leaders cannot come together, lawmakers may add requirements next week -- meaning possible more schools.