Milwaukee Board of School Directors
Votes to go to Referendum
A step toward getting schools our children deserve
MILWAUKEE, WI (December 20) — The Milwaukee Board of School Directors took a historic first step toward going to referendum for only the second time in MPS existence. 

The board voted to authorize a referendum question to appear on the spring election ballot April 7, 2020.

Board directors also voted last night to ask voters for a four year phase-in revenue limit increase for a total of $87 million dollars. A recent poll showed 60% of the respondents supported a referendum request for $107 million however, the Milwaukee Board of School Directors took a position of maximizing benefits for students while minimizing the financial impact on taxpayers.

If passed, the additional funding will help MPS attract and retain high quality, certified teachers, offer more career and technical education programs, and expand art, music, physical education and language programs.

The estimated calculated tax impact for homeowners is $160 per $100,000 assessed property value.

MPS believes its students deserve the best, and the additional revenue will help the district eliminate the disparities in educational opportunities and outcomes.

Currently, the district has been operating on a relatively flat state-imposed revenue limit that restricts its ability to meet the needs of its students. The increase in revenue limit through passage of the referendum will put MPS more in line with neighboring school districts.

This will be the first time in 25 years MPS has gone to referendum. And Milwaukee Public School is ready to continue the work of communicating to the public the importance of this financial investment in our future leaders.

The MPS referendum question will appear in the spring election, April 7, 2020

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About Milwaukee Public Schools
Milwaukee Public Schools is committed to accelerating student achievement, building positive relationships between youth and adults and cultivating leadership at all levels. The district's commitment to improvement continues to show results:

  • Ninety percent of 2019-20 budget dollars go directly to classrooms;
  • Four more MPS schools were approved to pursue IB authorization;
  • The MPS Class of 2018 earned $86.2 million in scholarships; and
  • MPS is home to five of the state and nation's top high schools according to U.S. News and World Report.

Learn more about MPS by visiting our website . More news is available at mpsmke.com/news .