MPS virtual learning extended, potential challenges arise
MILWAUKEE - The Milwaukee Public Schools board voted to extend virtual learning for all students until Tuesday, Jan. 18 during a special virtual meeting Thursday night. The board reached its decision with an 8-1 vote.
MPS was supposed to resume in-person learning Jan. 10. Students have been learning virtually since winter break ended due to COVID-19 activity levels.
There was roughly one hour of public comment from district teachers, staff and parents during Thursday's meeting.
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Some parents said their kids are disconnected and bored, and that virtual schooling is having a detrimental impact on their learning and development.
"They learn more when they are in person than they do at home," said parent Patricia Wilson. "One, when they at home, they ain’t really doing nothing but laying down. They try to engage, but it’s not doing too good."
"As a parent of MPS students, I’ve seen the negative impact that virtual learning has on them and their friends," parent Luke Harrison said.
Some teachers and staff raised concerns about the cleanliness of schools and worried about what further impact in-person learning will have on everyone's health.
"People are still dying, people are still hospitalized, including these kids," contact tracing nurse Amanda Shrubb said.
Students at Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS)
MPS already requires masking while in district buildings, but teachers and staff said compliance among students is hard to enforce.
School board member Megan O'Halloran cast the lone vote against extending virtual learning for a second week, saying schools that may not have as high of positive cases should be allowed to return to the classroom.
"I think we’re making a really broad decision without drilling down on the data," O'Halloran said. "Overall, the numbers are large. I get that, overall, the numbers are large. But at the local level, some of the schools are not."
The decision to go virtual could have an impact on how kids get to school when in-person learning does resume. The head of transportation said that, when buses aren't running, drivers aren't employed and will likely be soliciting other employment.
A shortage of bus drivers has been a problem since the start of the school year and, as of Thursday night, MPS is in its best position to resume transportation. The further along this goes, though, the more challenging it will become.
The president of the teachers' union had accused the administration of lying during its presentation Thursday. Administrators said classrooms are cleaned regularly, but the teachers union said there simply isn't enough staff for that to be true.
"MPS workers know the reality," said Ingrid Walker-Henry with MTEA. "There are not enough staff. There are virtually no substitute teachers. Teachers have used what little prep and planning time they had towards working as substitutes for colleagues."
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To support students and families during virtual learning, student meals will continue to be provided daily at 50 Stop, Grab & Go locations from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Before and after-school programs will remain closed at this time while athletics and academic competitions will continue as scheduled.
MPS said it encourages families to watch for communications from their child’s school and the district to stay up to date on changing conditions.
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