MILWAUKEE, Wis.— The Milwaukee Public Schools board met Tuesday night to discuss the 2026-27 budget after three financial audits revealed a $46 million budget gap, according to a press release from the school district.
The release pointed to state funding that has not kept up with inflation as a contributor to the deficit and noted that "without voter-supported referenda, the district's financial position would be considerably worse."
During the meeting at the Central Services Building, MPS employees and union members voiced their concerns and expectations about how the district plans to address the financial shortfall.
Despite the significant deficit, district officials say they are prioritizing three key areas in the upcoming budget: capping classroom sizes to prevent overcrowding, implementing cost-of-living adjustments for employees to attract and retain teachers, and restoring the district's fiscal health.
Ingrid Walker-Henry, president of the teacher union, addressed Superintendent Brenda Cassellius directly about the district's financial commitments.
"The superintendent has said that despite financial challenges, the administration is making deliberate choices to protect teaching and learning, invest in staff and ensure resources are directed where they are needed most. Superintendent Cassellius, MTA members will hold you to this," Walker-Henry said.
Cassellius responded by outlining some of the cost-cutting measures the district plans to implement.
"We will review contracts. We review LTE's and make cuts in our Central Services staffing, including my administration," Cassellius said.
Special education teacher Will Fitzgerald questioned the district's transparency regarding the financial situation.
"You say this new budget is a reflection of your values so where does total non-transparency about financial mismanagement factor into your values?" Fitzgerald said.
The district has set a goal of June 30 for "reducing the imbalance," with several steps being taken this year including reviewing unspent funds set aside in the budget, freezing non-essential new positions and contracted services, increasing participation in federal nutrition programs, conducting a study on transportation costs, reviewing existing district contracts, seeking additional reimbursements for high-cost special education services, expanding summer school participation, and fully leveraging state and federal grant opportunities to accelerate initiatives.
Plans for next fiscal year include reducing Central Services staffing.
Before the public meeting, the school board held a closed session to discuss a lawsuit aimed at holding paint companies liable to recoup costs paid for lead paint remediation. No details about this discussion were shared during the open meeting.
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