Proposed MPS budget increases investment in classrooms

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent Gregory Thornton proposed a 2014-15 budget to invest in classrooms and increases the standard of care for students across the district.

The proposal includes adding another 50 art, music, and physical education teaching positions into MPS schools.

The 50 new positions for 2014-15 are on top of the positions added into schools for the 2012-13 and 2013-14 school years. This results in a net increase of 142 art, music, and PE teaching positions over three years.

Increasing art, music and physical education opportunities was listed as the top priority of those responding to MPS’ 2014 budget survey.

Other key items in the proposal include adding a school support teacher and creating a parent coordinator position in every school.

The proposal also includes a net increase of 193 positions in schools, including 132 teaching positions, and a net decrease of 130 non-school based positions.

Total spending under the plan would decrease by about three percent. The final budget must be approved by the Milwaukee Board of School Directors.

Public input will be welcome at Board Strategic Planning and Budget Committee meetings tentatively set for May 1st and May 13th, as well as the statutory budget hearing tentatively set for May 15th.

MPS is Wisconsin's largest school district and aligns its curriculum to the Common Core State Standards.

CLICK HERE for the full proposal of the 2014-15 budget.