(File photo by Jabril Faraj)
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Ricardo Diaz is the executive director of United Community Center; Robert Rauh is the CEO of Milwaukee College Prep; and Henry Tyson is the superintendent of St. Marcus Lutheran School. They argue that the upcoming MPS referendum would fall short of reaching “every child” and offer alternative funding solutions.
When Milwaukee residents vote in the presidential primary April 7, they will also face an equally important referendum question for an increase in yearly funding for Milwaukee Public Schools. Our city’s children definitely deserve more funding for their education, but there is a better way.
No one will deny the fact that the challenges facing educational institutions in Milwaukee are real. More funding is indeed needed and warranted. However, there are several things all voters should consider as they make their decision about the proposed $87 million referendum, which would raise taxes by 8.5%, adding about $20 per month to the rent or house payment of most residents.
Many children will not benefit
While 100% of city taxpayers will pay the $87 million price tag of the referendum, just 56% of children living in the city will benefit. That is because increased funding from this citywide referendum will only support children attending MPS district-run schools – not the 44% of students enrolled in public charter schools, nor those attending private schools with the help of a state-funded tuition voucher. These students also face significant funding gaps compared to children attending MPS and neighboring suburban school districts.
Dr. Keith Posley, MPS superintendent, wrote in a recent online statement: “Milwaukee Public Schools is committed to providing the best education for every child in our city.” However, the current plan will leave out nearly half of Milwaukee’s children. That certainly does not meet the definition of “every child.”
Local taxpayers should not foot the state’s bill
Like all school districts in Wisconsin, MPS is funded by a combination of local property taxes, state funding and federal funding.
It is true that MPS has seen its revenues drop over the past decade. But this is not the fault of city taxpayers. Milwaukee residents have faithfully funded the district at a consistent rate, even when adjusting for inflation. Unfortunately, the state has not kept up its contributions. After accounting for inflation and declines in MPS student enrollment, state funding to MPS is down considerably.
Milwaukee taxpayers should not be called upon to fill in for the state’s neglect of our city’s children.
Two better alternatives that benefit many more children
There are two steps we can all take together that would benefit many more Milwaukee children without double dipping on city taxpayers.
First, the state should fully fund full-day 4-year-old kindergarten (K4) students in the city. Study after study shows the long-term benefits of investing in quality early childhood education. Currently, the state funds just 60% of the costs of full-day K4. If K4 were fully funded, MPS would receive an additional $20 million per year in state funding, and the other 44% of children in our city would likewise benefit.
Second, the state should increase to the national average its funding rates for students with special education needs. Right now, MPS and other public schools in the city and state receive about $0.26 on the dollar for students with special needs. This is far below the national average of $0.60. If this change were implemented, MPS would receive more than $50 million per year in additional funding. Children accessing special education at other public schools would also benefit from this change.
While these two upgrades would have a big, positive impact, neither idea is new nor controversial. In fact, Gov. Tony Evers and the bipartisan Blue Ribbon Commission on Education Funding have voiced their support for both measures.
A path forward for all of Milwaukee
Instead of pushing for an MPS referendum that would benefit just 56% of students, educators from all types of schools across Milwaukee must unite with others across the city to push the governor and state legislature to make these changes in the next biennial state budget, if not before.
Milwaukee’s education funding shortages are the result of state funding cuts. Voting “yes” on the referendum and placing an $87 million burden on city residents is neither the best nor most just resolution to a problem that impacts all of the city’s students.
Voters in Milwaukee should join Dr. Posley in being “committed to providing the best education for every child in our city.” However, the MPS referendum does not accomplish this vision. Let’s unite together for a more equitable solution and lobby our state elected officials to pick up their fair share.
In case you missed it: OPINION: MPS referendum: ‘We have an opportunity to make our city stronger’
As long as public funds are not going to the charter and private schools, I’m more than happy with this referendum. Those institutions have sucked enough from the public
Wisconsin charter schools are public schools. They cannot turn down students who apply. https://dpi.wi.gov/sms/charter-schools
There are two kinds of charter schools in Wisconsin — instrumentality charter schools that are public institutions whose employees are public employees and non-instrumentality (often times called “independent” charter schools) whose workers are not public employees. Those schools are private non-profit institutions. and must file Form 990 with the IRS something that all private non-profit institutions need to do. While charter schools can not discriminate in who enrolls in their school, many charter schools have been known to “counsel out” students who have discipline or academic problems.
I’m no math wiz especially on percents. But the claim that taxes would be raised 8.5% caught my eye. Per the MJS 12/20/19 article “Milwaukee School Board approves $87 million referendum question for April 17 ballot” I deduce the following. Per $1,000 of assessed tax property value the amount for MPS would increase from $9.58/$1,000 to $11.18/1,000. By my calculation the percentage of increase is just over half of one percent, 0.06 increase. A half percent increase, 0.06%, is a far cry from 8.5% increase. Please explain.
An increase from $9.58 per $1000 to $11.18 per thousand is an increase of $1.60/$1000, or a 16.7 % increase.
I haven’t followed up what MPS final ask is. I’m merely commenting on the above
Apparently If the referendum is approved, there would be a four-year phase-in revenue limit increase totaling $87 million, so the 1st year impact would be much less. I haven’t been able to identify in what amounts the staging will occur.
Okay–delete then second comment. Based on the MPS website, if the referendum is approved, the impact on a house valued at $100,000 would be $160.
From the MPS website:
“The referendum will ask voters for a four-year phase-in revenue limit increase for a total of $87 million. If you are a property owner, the estimated calculated tax impact would be approximately $160 per $100,000 of assessed property value.
There should only be a one-time increase in property taxes if the referendum passes. As an example, if you own a home with an assessed value of $100,000, there will be an estimated annual increase in property taxes of $160 in the first year if the referendum passes. But, there will be no additional increases associated with the referendum based on the design of the phase in. Because the revenue limit is a combination of local property taxes and state aid, MPS will receive additional state aid to offset the revenue increases in years two through four. “
Sadly, this article contains incorrect information. Of course it is to their advantage as they are running charter or voucher schools. Special needs students are reimbursed to voucher schools at 96%, but MPS is only reimbursed at approximately 26%. Gov. Evers recently asked the legislature to increase the reimbursement rate for all public schools at 34%, but our legislators refused to even discuss. This is a horrendous inequity for our students that require the most services.
These operators of charter and vouchers schools named at the beginning of the article are not lacking in funding. Furthermore, they deny this fact, but those students they find more expensive to educate are counseled out, typically returning to MPS.
Taxpayers paid $31.8 million to operate these same voucher schools in 2019. Just take a look at your tax bill. If MPS were retaining these funds in their budget, they would not need the referendum.
I say accountability for all,playing by the same set of rules for funds, curriculum and “no” sending students back to MPS they don’t want. And, their budgets must be public record, available for all to see. Until then, Stay in Their Lane!!!!
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I’m disgusted with the very misleading statements made in this opinion piece.
To address just a few:
Of course the state should be paying more for the education of Milwaukee students! But state legislators from places in Wisconsin outside of Milwaukee have been ganging up on Milwaukee for more than 30 years. Part of the reason that this has been able to continue for so long is because the state legislators from Milwaukee are divided by a variety of urgent concerns and haven’t been able to coalesce around a single issue. Private and charter schools are a big part of what’s dividing the Milwaukee legislators.
Charter and private schools in Milwaukee are not required to follow the same rules of transparency, representation and fairness as the public school district.
I do understand that there are many students in Milwaukee for whom MPS can not offer an appropriate learning environment. I’m glad that there are other options from which the families of those students can choose.
But writing an opinion piece meant to starve students attending MPS-operated schools is unconscionable. There is zero chance that the state legislature will fairly and fully fund Milwaukee schools in the next 10+ years, and the authors know that as well as anyone.
It is one thing to offer families more opportunities. It is quite another to encourage voters to starve the schools that are not like the ones you run.
MPS has the authority to create its own charter schools with lower employee benefits but more arts programs and lower class sizes. They should do so and let the teachers decide where they want to work.
MPS needs to show that it is willing and able to change itself before asking voters for more funding. No one is going to be in the mood for higher costs come April, especially following the recent MPS decision to increase employee salaries and reinstitute salary increase schedules.
MPS also has the opportunity to perform painting, plumbing and classroom maintenance during this shutdown. (The classrooms are for all practical purposes a self-quarantine environment.) Will they choose to do so?