Milwaukee Board approves expulsions, administrative promotions; adopts resolution opposing U.S. House education cuts

The Milwaukee Board of School Directors on Monday approved reports of independent hearing officers that resulted in student expulsions, confirmed administrative appointments and promotions, and adopted Resolution 2425R-nine opposing proposed education funding cuts in the U.S. House of Representatives. The board then voted unanimously to retire to closed session to consider an employment agreement and pending or probable litigation.

The unanimous roll calls came after updates from interim Superintendent Eduardo Galvan and staff about enrollment, district events and a legislative outlook that included concerns about potential federal funding cuts. Interim Superintendent Eduardo Galvan told the board the district held a recent enrollment fair with about 890 participants and had received roughly 1,496 applications, an increase of about 135 from the prior year, and reminded families that kindergarten applications are best submitted by March 17. Galvan also highlighted Black History Month school programs and said the district offers nearly 160 schools and programs ranging from neighborhood schools to language-immersion and International Baccalaureate offerings.

Dr. Tina Owen Moore, chief officer for the Office of Board Governance, told the board the district has concluded its superintendent search and is "very excited to be welcoming Dr. Brenda Cassellius to the district," but that negotiations on an employment agreement are still under way. The board later moved into closed session to consider an employment agreement for Dr. Cassellius and to confer with legal counsel on pending or probable litigation.

Chris Thiele, the district's governmental relations representative, briefed the board on state and federal budget activity. He said the governor had proposed roughly $3.1 billion for K‑12 education in the biennial executive budget, and he summarized discussions about raising special-education reimbursement toward a 90 percent target and increasing equalization aid. Thiele warned that federal budget action in the U.S. House — described in recent debate as potential cuts at the $880 billion level — could result in reductions to programs that fund schools, including Title I and Medicaid-supported services. He said past House proposals reduced Title I by 25 percent and eliminated Title II and Title III in one prior version, and that such cuts could mean more than $35 million annually for the district if similar reductions were enacted.

Votes at a glance

- Reports of independent hearing officers (student expulsions): Motion by Director Seemson; second by Director Jackson. Roll call: Director Ferguson — Aye; Director Garcia — Aye; Director Gokul Gandhi — Aye; Director Jackson — Aye; Director Leonard — Aye; Director O'Halloran — Aye; Director Seemson — Aye; Director Zomber — Aye; President Herndon — Aye. Tally: 9 yes, 0 no. Outcome: approved.

- Balance of committee reports: Motion by Director Garcia; second noted. Roll call: Director Ferguson — Aye; Director Garcia — Aye; Director Gokul Gandhi — Temporarily excused (absent at roll call); Director Jackson — Aye; Director Leonard — Aye; Director O'Halloran — Aye; Director Siemsen/Seemson — Aye; Director Zomber — Aye; President Herndon — Aye. Tally: 8 yes, 0 no, 1 absent. Outcome: approved.

- Administrative appointments, promotions, reassignments and limited-term contracts (item set aside): Motion by Director O'Halloran; second by Director Garcia. Roll call: Director Ferguson — Aye; Director Garcia — Aye; Director Gokul Gandhi — Aye; Director Jackson — Aye; Director Leonard — Aye; Director O'Halloran — Aye; Director Seemson — Aye; Director Zomber — Aye; President Herndon — Aye. Tally: 9 yes, 0 no. Outcome: approved.

- Resolution 2425R-nine (opposing U.S. House cuts to public education): Moved by Director Seemson; seconded. Several directors added their names as cosponsors before the vote. Roll call: Director Ferguson — Aye; Director Garcia — Aye; Director Gokul Gandhi — Aye; Director Jackson — Aye; Director Leonard — Aye; Director O'Halloran — Aye; Director Seemson — Aye; Director Zomber — Aye; President Herndon — Aye. Tally: 9 yes, 0 no. Outcome: adopted.

- Resolution 2425R-ten (establishing an Oversight Review Advisory Committee): Referred to the Committee on Parent and Community Engagement.

- Motion to retire to closed session (to consider an employment agreement with Dr. Brenda Cassellius and to confer with legal counsel on litigation): Motion by Director Gokul Gandhi; second by Director O'Halloran. Roll call: Director Ferguson — Aye; Director Garcia — Aye; Director Gokul Gandhi — Aye; Director Jackson — Aye; Director Leonard — Aye; Director O'Halloran — Aye; Director Seemson — Aye; Director Zomber — Aye; President Herndon — Aye. Tally: 9 yes, 0 no. Outcome: board retired to closed session.

Discussion and staff reports

- Superintendent search and hire: Dr. Owen Moore said the district concluded the superintendent search and is in negotiations with Dr. Brenda Cassellius; the board later moved to closed session to consider the employment agreement.

- Enrollment and programs: Galvan reported higher application numbers after the district's enrollment fairs, urged families to apply by March 17 for kindergarten priority and listed upcoming school events and activities.

- Budget and federal policy risks: Thiele cautioned that federal proposals could affect Title I, II, III and Medicaid-related services used by the district; he encouraged advocacy to preserve funding.

- Accountability and audit: Matt Chasen and Chief Auditor Paul Geib reported on the five-year forecast, the FY23 audited financials closeout, ongoing reconciliations of federal/state award schedules and a scheduled peer review of internal audit services in April.

What’s next

After the closed session the board said it may return to open session to take action on matters discussed in closed session; otherwise the meeting will adjourn. The board did not take public comment at this regular monthly meeting in accordance with board rules.