(The Center Square) – A newly released audit of Milwaukee schools calls for a new, clear leadership structure and changes across the board.
The audit was funded as part of a $5.5 million plan from Gov. Tony Evers after the school district failed to submit the required annual financial audit reports to the Department of Public Instruction. Evers’ office says that a separate instructional audit of the district is ongoing and the remaining $3 million from the audit funding will go toward implementing recommendations in the audit, conducted by MGT of America Consulting.
Evers also plans to propose an additional $5 million in funding toward changes recommended in the audit in his upcoming biennial budget proposal, set to be presented Feb. 18.
The audit was released a day after a poll from the City Forward Collective – a school choice organization – released a poll showing most people in Milwaukee are disappointed in the city’s public schools with 55% of people polled giving MPS a D or F grade.
The top goal from the audit was to create a coherent structure with clarity on roles and decision-making structure in the district’s central office while investing in human resources to help leadership and training while focusing on a few important strategic goals.
“Leadership instability, a culture resistant to change, high staff turnover, and ineffective systems and reporting protocols have hindered accountability and performance,” the audit said. “These challenges, coupled with outdated facilities and a history of financial mismanagement, have eroded public trust and disproportionately affected the District’s most vulnerable students.”
The second listed objective is to foster meaningful communication and collaboration across the district with the board and leadership working together and encouraging department leadership to drive strategy.
The third objective is to operate and fund strategically with investments in technological infrastructure and changing reporting and grievance policies along with onboarding to improve communication.
“This report also underscores the importance of the DPI’s ongoing efforts to support MPS in financial reporting, including the development of a Corrective Action Plan,” said DPI Superintendent Jill Underly. “These efforts are both realistic and essential for helping the district regain compliance and thrive.”
