Milwaukee Public Schools releases budget plan for 2013-14

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee Public Schools released its 2013-14 budget proposal on Wednesday, April 24th. School officials say if approved, the new budget plan would double the allocation most MPS elementary schools received to cover the cost of art, music and physical education teachers.

Other highlights of the budget proposal include:


    The budget also builds upon efforts already underway, including:


      In total, the budget increases school-based staff by about 120 positions and decreases non-school based staff by about 17 positions. The full 2013-14 budget – which includes grant funds, building expenses and Milwaukee Recreation – calls for spending $1,170,867,945, down 2% from $1,194,450,752 in 2012-13. But spending in the School Operations Fund – which pays directly for the education of children in Milwaukee including items such employee salaries, benefits, transportation and food service – is proposed to grow to $948,345,675 in 2013-14, up from $943,903,737 in 2012-13.

      MPS families and community members can learn more about the budget proposal online by CLICKING HERE.

      The Milwaukee Board of School Directors is tentatively set to hold public hearings on the budget at the committee level on April 30, May 7 and May 16. The statutory public hearing before the full Board is tentatively set for May 21. All meetings are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at MPS Central Services, 5225 W. Vliet Street, Milwaukee.