As I See It
Milwaukee taxpayers should get another try on school referendum
It is hard to make an informed decision when you don’t have all the facts. The people of Milwaukee know that all too well. Voters in the Milwaukee school district recently approved a referendum to provide more money for education. It was a $252 million referendum which narrowly passed. But would it have passed if voters knew the truth? Since that referendum passed, the Superintendent of Milwaukee schools has resigned amid the discovery of serious financial woes in the district which it didn’t tell voters about. Turns out MPS was tardy in submitting financial reports to the Department of Public Instruction. One was due as long ago as September. The state is threatening to withhold the district’s special education aid payment, more than $15 million, and there are concerns the district’s Head Start program may have been lax in staff conduct and the supervision of children. Voters in Milwaukee should get a do-over. The referendum should be put to another vote, now that voters know the severity of problems in the district. It would be interesting to see how voters feel when they have all the facts.
nick
June 13, 2024 at 7:38 am
The news stations and newspaper have done their usual horrific job on not informing the public.
A severe problem all over the country.
A total disgrace when it comes to politics; you all protect the Dems at all cost.
As I have stated numerous times, the media is the biggest threat to democracy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Walden
June 13, 2024 at 1:16 pm
“…voters…have all the facts”? really? what facts do they have?
How did this mess happen. Does MPS need no money, $100 million, $300 million?
What is the plan to get the district out of its mess?
The WI Department of Public Instruction (Gov Evers baby) knew all along this was going on and said nothing. Who is held accountable at the State level?
walden
June 13, 2024 at 1:30 pm
School Districts operate with a lot of autonomy. School Boards may (or may not) have individuals with good intentions but either way they are woefully inadequate given the loose State financial control framework.
Closer to home, the current school closure discussion in La Crosse leaves everyone frustrated. The District has been unable to provide satisfactory figures on the current financial status of the District. The disclosures related to referendums have been especially subject to abuse. Too bad Shaw doesn’t pay more attention to whats going on in his own back yard.