MPS board considers whether to work with a commissioner to fix some failing schools

MILWAUKEE -- There are many questions and many opinions surrounding a new law targeting Milwaukee's failing schools. On Tuesday evening, May 10th, the Milwaukee Public Schools Board of School Directors took up the issue of whether MPS should work with a commissioner to fix some failing MPS schools.

"It really is too early to be able to give a formal decision," Darienne Driver, MPS superintendent said.

Dr. Driver emerged from a closed session meeting of the MPS Board of School Directors Tuesday evening to say there were still a lot of questions and information to review.

"It`s important that all aspects of the plan are really analyzed," Driver said.

A law passed last summer requires a commissioner be appointed to oversee some of Milwaukee's failing schools, as part of the "Opportunity Schools Partnership Program."

Kim Schroeder

"I can`t be a rubber stamp. I`m an educator," Kim Schroeder said.

Earlier Tuesday, Schroeder, the head of the Milwaukee Teachers Education Association announced he is resigning from the OSPP's advisory council -- indicating he is getting conflicting information from OSPP Commissioner Demond Means.

"We`ve heard vague rhetoric, but we have not heard any specifics as to what they are doing," Schroeder said.

The school board has until June 23rd to decide whether to work with Means.

In a press release, Means and Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele, who is in charge of the OSPP and appointed Means as commissioner said their proposal ensures that teachers at struggling schools will remain MPS employees, students will remain enrolled in MPS, and per-pupil funding from the state will be returned to MPS.

Abele and Means said if MPS says no, "in order to comply with the law, schools will be taken from the district and millions of dollars will be lost."

Dr. Driver said more specifics are needed before a decision can be made.

"At the present time, we`re still in the process of gathering information," Driver said.

Means has said he plans to focus on one school in the 2016-2017 school year. Which school that will be, hasn't yet been decided.

MPS Board of School DIrectors