MPS Superintendent Keith Posley resigns; Eduardo Galvan to take over operations
MILWAUKEE - Following a closed session MPS board meeting that lasted more than five hours, Superintendent Keith Posley resigned from his position.
The school board met in a closed session Monday night, June 3, about Posley's employment.
Members voted unanimously to accept Posley's resignation. It will take effect at the end of June.
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MPS board meeting; superintendent could be fired, public sounds off
Dozens weighed in on the financial fiasco playing out at Milwaukee Public Schools meeting on Monday night, June 3.
This comes days after state and federal officials raised red flags about the district's financial operations. The state’s Department of Public Instruction said the district is more than eight months behind on sending critical financial reports to the agency.
Now, millions of dollars hang in the balance for Milwaukee Public Schools.
Many parents and MPS staff blamed Posley, demanding the board fire him.
But others came to his defense. One city leader said Posley is a scapegoat for decades of poor decisions.
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Superintendent Keith Posley
When Posley himself announced his resignation, he was in good spirits, even smiling, as he addressed the crowd for the last time as superintendent.
"As a superintendent, you take responsibility for everything. Anything that happens, it's under my watch, so I take responsibility for it…if the grass is not cut, it's my responsibility…right? If the windows are broke out, it's my responsibility. I take that responsibility," Posley said.
His departure includes a severance of around $160,000.
Now the board will start its search for an interim superintendent.
MPS Statement on Eduardo Galvan
In the meantime, Eduardo Galvan will temporarily take over operations. He's the southwest regional superintendent.
Galvan has worked for MPS for more than three decades. The board says it has full confidence in his leadership.
The board also says it's working to turn in the financial reports that are due to the state.
Reactions:
In a statement, State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly said: "My goal, and the Department of Public Instruction's goal, is to make sure all kids have everything they need to succeed. My team continues to work with Milwaukee Public Schools to help solve this immediate challenge. We will continue to engage with them on a daily basis."
"In Wisconsin's system of local control, elected school boards make decisions about district superintendent staffing. No matter how the board chooses to move forward, under my leadership, the DPI will continue working with the MPS team to resolve the current challenge. As we go forward, our primary focus is on improving outcomes for all of Milwaukee’s children."
In a statement, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said, in part: "Regardless of how the District got to this point, what our students need – and our community deserves – is accountability, stability, and solutions. I have discussed with both DPI and MPS the plan in place to resolve the reporting and accounting mismanagement that landed MPS in this situation. We will secure the needed resources for our community’s children and educators."
Read the mayor's full statement in the document below.
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