"Our children are not for sale:" Parents, teachers rally against turnaround plan for public schools

MILWAUKEE -- The debate over the state-mandated turnaround plan for Milwaukee's failing public schools is heating up. Teachers and parents on Monday, June 20th protested what they're calling a "takeover" of the city's schools. This, as Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele warned the alternative could be worse.

A rally was held Monday outside the Milwaukee County Courthouse -- with hundreds showing solidarity with MPS, and calling for those behind the "Opportunity Schools Partnership Program" proposal to back down from it.

"Our children are not for sale," a protester said.

Abele and OSPP Commissioner Demond Means put forward a plan in April to turn around the city's failing public schools after state lawmakers mandated it last year. The initiative would involve moving one school to a new recovery district for the 2016-2017 school year, with more schools to follow.

"When you talk to parents in cities that are experiencing the exact same laws right now like Detroit, Flint, New Jersey, New Orleans, the advice that they gave us was to fight," Ingrid Walker-Henry, "Schools and Communities United" co-chair said.

Those with Schools and Communities United are opposed to the idea because they say parents will no longer have a say in their children`s future.

"There are 78,000 students in the district. Are we going to say it`s OK to take away their education and take away their opportunities because someone wants to experiment on their future?" Walker-Henry said.

On Friday, June 17th, MPS Superintendent Darienne Driver outlined a number of issues she has with OSPP such as uncertainties with funding, curriculum and employees' status with the district.

Abele said it might be too late now to accommodate those concerns. He said the alternative is far worse.

"We`re really hoping we can get MPS to agree because otherwise I don`t see how we avoid something we`ve been trying to avoid, which is losing a couple million dollars if we go to a charter operator," Abele said.

MPS officials have until Thursday, June 23rd to decide whether to get on board with the program. MPS officials are scheduled to meet with Abele on Thursday.