Milwaukee Public Schools - Comprehensive Analysis Report

Summary

Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) is a diverse, student-centered educational district deeply committed to equity, high achievement, strong leadership, and robust community partnerships. Its core mission is to welcome all students and meticulously prepare them for future success in higher education, various post-educational opportunities, meaningful work, and active citizenship. The district's vision is to emerge among the top school systems nationally regarding student growth, fostering an equitable educational environment that is child-centered, achievement-focused, and embraces diversity. MPS envisions its schools as safe, welcoming, well-maintained, and accessible community hubs, delivering relevant, rigorous, and successful instructional programs recognized and replicated across the educational landscape. As a cornerstone of public education, MPS plays a pivotal role in the Milwaukee community.

1. Strategic Focus & Objectives

Core Objectives

Milwaukee Public Schools has articulated a strategic plan for the 2023–2028 school years, centered on ambitious goals.

Academic Achievement: Aims for at least 50% of all students to meet proficiency or higher by 2028, measured by multiple student achievement metrics.

Graduation Rates: Seeks to increase the graduation rate to over 75% within the next five years, preparing students for higher education, post-education opportunities, work, and citizenship.

Student, Family, and Community Engagement: Focuses on strengthening ties and collaboration within the school community and the broader public.

Effective and Efficient Operations: Strives to optimize district processes and resource management.

Staff Development and Morale: Aims to improve staff morale annually and ensure all staff receive professional learning opportunities for performance improvement and career advancement by 2028.

District Rightsizing: Engaged in a long-term facilities master plan by 2028 addressing needs such as building systems, bathroom upgrades, space utilization, enrollment patterns, and programming.

Specialization Areas

MPS focuses on several key areas to deliver its educational mandate:

Academic Achievement with an Emphasis on Literacy: Implementing a "science of reading" approach, providing high-quality literacy instruction from the start, focusing on decoding words. Educators receive forty hours of intensive professional training in this methodology. The Ambitious Instruction Plan further emphasizes formative practices, explicit instruction, and meaningful student engagement across all content areas.

Safe and Welcoming Schools: Prioritizing the creation and maintenance of secure and inclusive learning environments for all students.

Efficient Operations: Dedicated to enhancing operational efficiency and implementing a facilities master plan to ensure sufficient schools for equitable programming and a fully licensed staff.

Staff Morale and Professional Learning: Committed to ensuring staff feel valued, safe, and supported, and providing ongoing professional development for performance and career growth.

Budget Planning: The Office of Finance works to increase education and engagement in the budget process at both district and school levels.

Target Markets

As a public school district, Milwaukee Public Schools primarily serves the K-12 student population residing within the city of Milwaukee. Its market positioning strategy is centered on providing a comprehensive, equitable, and high-quality public education system accessible to all children in the district, accommodating diverse student needs including those with disabilities.

2. Financial Overview

Funding History

Milwaukee Public Schools has an estimated annual revenue of $2.6 billion and employs approximately 10,146 individuals. The 2024–25 fiscal year budget projected nearly $1.5 billion in expenditures and revenue, with about 10% derived from referendum funds.

Historically, in the 2021-22 school year, the district's revenue sources included approximately 58% from state aid, 23% from property taxes, 16% from federal grants, and 3% from other local sources.

In the 2024-25 fiscal year, MPS encountered state financial reporting issues, leading to a leadership change in June 2024 and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction initially withholding $41 million in state aid. Following the diligent efforts of Superintendent Brenda Cassellius, who joined in March 2025, and the subsequent filing of fiscal year 2023 and 2024 financial reports, approximately $33 million in withheld state aid was released to MPS by August 2025. The district has proactively addressed these challenges by modernizing its financial reporting software, restructuring its finance team, and implementing new protocols to ensure future transparency and prevent delays. New systems are being integrated to enable direct communication between district financial platforms and the state's system, thereby eliminating the manual processes that previously caused reporting delays.

3. Key Educational Programs & Initiatives

Milwaukee Public Schools delivers a range of core educational programs and specialized initiatives designed to meet its strategic objectives.

Literacy Instruction (Science of Reading):

Description: Implementation of a research-backed "science of reading" approach in early literacy.

Key Features: Focuses on foundational skills like decoding words, explicit Phonics instruction, and comprehensive reading strategies.

Target: All students from the start of their educational journey.

Benefits: Aims to ensure all students develop strong reading abilities.

Ambitious Instruction Plan:

Description: A district-wide instructional framework guiding teaching practices.

Key Features: Emphasizes formative practices, explicit instruction, and meaningful student engagement across all content areas.

Target: Students across all grade levels and subjects.

Benefits: Enhances instructional quality and student learning outcomes.

Safe and Welcoming Learning Environments:

Description: Ongoing initiatives and protocols to create secure and inviting school spaces.

Key Features: Focus on physical safety, emotional well-being, and a positive school climate.

Target: All students, staff, and visitors.

Benefits: Fosters a conducive environment for learning and community engagement.

Professional Learning Opportunities for Staff:

Description: Intensive training and continuous development programs for educators and support staff.

Key Features: Forty hours of intensive professional training for literacy educators; broader professional learning opportunities for performance improvement and career advancement across the district.

Target: All MPS staff, with specific focus on teachers adopting new instructional methodologies.

Benefits: Enhances staff expertise, improves instructional delivery, and boosts morale.

4. Technology & Innovation

Technology Stack

Milwaukee Public Schools leverages a dynamic technology infrastructure to support both administrative and instructional functions. Its core platforms and technologies include:

Modernized Financial Reporting Software: Recently upgraded systems to streamline financial operations and ensure accuracy and transparency in reporting.

Integrated Financial Systems: Implementing new systems designed to allow direct, electronic communication between district financial platforms and the state's financial system, replacing manual processes and reducing reporting delays.

Network and Infrastructure Upgrades: Ongoing modernization of the district's core network and IT infrastructure to ensure reliable and high-speed connectivity across all schools and administrative offices.

VoIP and Security System Replacements: Deployment of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) for enhanced communication and advanced security systems to ensure safe learning environments.

Classroom Technology Initiatives: Continuous investment in and implementation of various classroom technologies aimed at empowering students in creation, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking.

The technology team, led by Chad Meyer, Senior Director of Technology, comprises nearly 100 professionals dedicated to delivering reliable and forward-looking technology solutions critical for teaching and learning.

5. Leadership & Management

Executive Team

Milwaukee Public Schools is governed by its Board of School Directors and led by the Superintendent and the Superintendent's Cabinet.

Paulette Chambers, MEd, Chief Advisor to the Superintendent: With over 40 years of connection to MPS, Chambers has served as a student, volunteer, intern, teacher, school administrator, and chief of staff. Her work emphasizes supporting students and families, fostering safe parent engagement, and creating equitable systems for educators.

Carol Eady, Deputy Chief Human Resources Officer: An MPS alumna, Eady is SHRM certified and brings over 25 years of human resources experience, specializing in benefits, management, compensation, payroll, leadership development, and strategic planning.

Michael Harris, Chief of Staff and Interim Deputy Superintendent, Operations: Harris possesses over 25 years of experience in education, progressing from a paraprofessional to a teacher and school-based administrator before joining MPS's Office of Human Resources in 2021. He is committed to advancing equitable opportunities for students.

Brian Litzsey, Chief Family, Community, and Partnership Officer: Litzsey has dedicated over 20 years to MPS, previously serving as Senior Director of Milwaukee Recreation, where he expanded program and service access. He holds a bachelor's degree from Illinois State University, a master's from Chicago State University, and an MBA from Concordia University Wisconsin.

Dominick Maniscalco, Chief Human Resources Officer: Maniscalco contributes over 20 years of HR experience, including serving as Head of Human Resources for the Chicago Housing Authority since 2021. His expertise spans HR operations, payroll, health and wellness, professional learning, risk management, and employee engagement. He holds a bachelor's degree in human resources management and a graduate degree in organizational leadership from Judson University, and is currently pursuing a juris doctor degree from Purdue University.

Chad Meyer, Senior Director of Technology: Meyer is an educational technology leader with a master's degree in educational leadership from Marquette University and over 25 years of experience within MPS. He is responsible for leading technology solutions for teaching and learning, including major modernization projects.

Jennifer Mims-Howell, Chief Academic Officer: A Milwaukee native, Mims-Howell has over 30 years of experience with MPS, starting as a Head Start teacher and advancing through specialized services and special education leadership roles. Appointed Chief Academic Officer in 2021, she is a strong advocate for inclusive classrooms.

Dr. Keely Roberts, Chief of Schools: Roberts previously served as Co-Interim Superintendent for Skokie School District 73.5 and Superintendent for Zion Elementary District 6 in Illinois. Her team includes eight academic superintendents who are based in MPS schools.

Aycha Sawa, CPA, Chief Financial Officer: Sawa joined MPS in 2024. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) with extensive experience in government auditing, accounting, and management, having held positions with the City of Milwaukee since 2010 after earning a business degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Tony Tagliavia, Chief Communications Officer:

Mike Turza, Interim Chief Operating Officer:

Mary Urbina-McCarthy, Deputy Chief of Staff: Urbina-McCarthy holds a bachelor's degree in sociology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and supports district-wide strategic initiatives. She has held leadership roles in municipal government and political campaigns.

Recent Leadership Changes

Significant leadership changes have occurred to strengthen the district's operational and financial capabilities.

In March 2025, Brenda Cassellius assumed the role of Superintendent.

In May 2025, Superintendent Cassellius announced a restructuring of the district's central office, which included new cabinet positions, job cuts, and the redistribution of 40 certified teachers from central office roles back into classrooms to address teacher shortages.

In September 2025, final appointments to key leadership roles stemming from an operational audit were made, following approval by the Milwaukee Board of School Directors. These key appointments, which saw the new leaders start in the summer of 2025, include Brian Litzsey as Chief Family, Community and Partnership Officer, Dominick Maniscalco as Chief Human Resources Officer, and Dr. Keely Roberts as Chief of Schools.

6. Talent and Growth Indicators

Hiring Trends and Workforce

Milwaukee Public Schools employs approximately 10,146 individuals.

Workforce Adjustments: In March 2026, MPS announced support for employees receiving "excess letters" related to non-classroom reductions, part of board-approved measures aiming to achieve $30 million in savings to protect classrooms and close a $46 million budget gap.

Redeployment and Vacancies: The district proposed reducing about 260 non-classroom positions and redeploying resources to classrooms. Despite these efforts, MPS expects to have 80 or more vacant teaching positions for the 2025-26 school year. To mitigate this, 40 certified teachers previously working in central office roles were moved back into classrooms.