MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Public Schools are looking for input from students, their families, and staff on the district's Strategic Plan.
Community members can make their voices heard through a survey, which is available through May 27th. District leaders say it covers a wide range of topics and everyone is encouraged to fill it out, even non-MPS families. You can find that survey here.
Community members are also invited to attend several Long-Range Facilities Master Plan Meetings. A press release from the district says "Right-sizing the district is a component of the Strategic Plan, and the public is invited to attend a community meeting to share ideas about building use."
"We have activities that we have done, work that has been completed and so now we're trying to get the feedback on some of that work," MPS director of research assessment and data Melanie Stewart explained. "Rightsizing is looking at staffing. It's looking at our facilities. It's looking at our usage. It's looking at our professional learning, etc. so all the issues of buildings and their usage are part of the discussion, they are part of the discussion."
Brandon Zollicoffer is an MPS parent and plans to participate in the survey and meetings. Zollicoffer wants students to have more access to career fields.
"We need more programs for them to do stuff after school," Zollicoffer said. "Different trades at a young age because these kids are smart now."
Milwaukee residents who do not currently have children in the district tell TMJ4 that they plan to take part in the process because how MPS moves forward impacts the city.
"Some of our classroom sizes got way too large so I don't know what's going to happen now. So I think that really they should look at however they can to diminish those numbers so they're more able the teachers are more able to teach," said Gwen Sutton, a retired teacher.
"I feel like babies are a clean slate and whatever we put into them is what we're going to get out later," said Kamar Carter a non-MPS parent.
The MPS long-range facilities master plan meetings will be scheduled as follows:
- Monday, May 13: 12:00–1:00 p.m. AND 5:30–6:30 p.m.
- A virtual meeting can be found here.
- Wednesday, May 15: 5:30–7:00 p.m. at James Madison High School, 8135 W. Florist Ave.
- Monday, May 20: 5:30–7:00 p.m. at Hamilton High School, 6215 W. Warnimont Ave.
- Tuesday, May 21: 5:30–7:00 p.m. at Bay View High School, 2751 S. Lenox St.
- Wednesday, May 22: 5:30–7:00 p.m. at Rufus King High School, 1801 W. Olive St.
District leaders say information gathered through the survey and the public meetings will help guide planning and decision-making for "the next several years."
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