MPS identifies concerns with state-mandated Opportunity Schools Partnership Program
MILWAUKEE -- Time is ticking until the possible takeover of some Milwaukee Public Schools. But after receiving a proposal about a fix to the failing schools, MPS says it has concerns -- and aired them on Friday, June 17th.
Both sides say their plans are in the best interest of the students. But it seems the Milwaukee Public Schools system and Milwaukee County Executive have different methods for tackling the issue of failing schools.
A looming deadline is approaching to implement a state law which created the Opportunity Schools Partnership Program (OSPP). It basically gives County Executive Chris Abele and Commissioner Demond Means the authority to transfer an MPS school or schools from the district to the OSPP.
MPS Superintendent Darienne Driver
Means presented a proposal to MPS in late April. But after examining that plan, MPS Superintendent Darienne Driver identified the following concerns:
MPS has now requested a meeting with Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele to discuss an alternative to the OSPP proposal. Driver said that alternative would include the following:
Demond Means
Abele and Means issued the following statement in light of the MPS concerns:
"We are disappointed that Dr. Driver has rejected our proposal to protect MPS jobs, funding, enrollment, and governance.
"While we still wish to partner with MPS and ensure the OSPP school remains public, we must move forward with implementing the law. However, given that some School Board Directors have publicly indicated a willingness to accept our proposal, we will hold on taking action until after the June 23rd deadline we offered MPS in the case that the duly elected Board of Directors decides to accept our proposal.
"We remain hopeful that our upcoming meeting with MPS will result in an agreement that protects MPS jobs, funding, enrollment, and governance."