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New MPS superintendent highlights lead remediation, welcomes 25 school resource officers; board moves to closed session on SRO implementation
Summary
Dr. Casaleas, the new superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools, told the board at its regular meeting that her immediate priorities are lead remediation in district buildings, building a strong central-office leadership team and launching a “listen and learn” tour to gather input from school communities.
Dr. Casaleas, the new superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools, told the board at its regular meeting that her immediate priorities are lead remediation in district buildings, building a strong central-office leadership team and launching a “listen and learn” tour to gather input from school communities.
“...we've been meeting with our internal team and strategizing on the issues that are a priority, including the lead remediation work that we are doing in partnership with the city and the state, and their health departments,” Dr. Casaleas said. She also described school visits and a new outreach plan to solicit community feedback.
The superintendent said the district has “welcomed 25 school resource officers to some of our buildings,” and framed the program as an opportunity to partner with the Milwaukee Police Department “to build a program that is rooted in respect, safety, and positive relationships with our students and staff.”
Board members later considered a separate, agendaed item to discuss implementation of school resource officers as required by Act 12. Director Ferguson moved that the board retire to closed session pursuant to Wisconsin open‑meetings law; Director Simpson seconded. The board voted 7–0 to retire to closed session to consider implementing school resource officers under Act 12 and related personnel and legal matters.
The closed‑session motion cited several subsections of Wisconsin Statute 19.85 used when a board considers personnel, litigation strategy, or other matters that the law allows to be discussed privately. The board recorded seven ayes and no nays.
The superintendent also told the board she will prioritize ensuring schools are “safe, welcoming, and well maintained” and that central office staff “have what you need to teach, lead, and inspire without limitations.” The superintendent said she plans more formal departmental meetings and a multi‑modal community engagement campaign in the coming weeks.
No formal board action on the district’s SRO policy or contracts was recorded in public; the meeting moved the item into closed session for further consideration.
