Milwaukee board takes procedural steps on FY26 budget amid state funding uncertainty; several routine resolutions approved

At its June 24 meeting the Milwaukee Board of School Directors handled several formal items and recorded votes on routine administrative matters amid broader debate over the district’s FY26 proposed budget and state funding levels.

Budget action and procedure: The board considered the superintendent’s FY26 proposed budget. On the first recorded vote, a motion to approve the FY26 superintendent’s proposed budget was put to roll call and produced six ayes, two noes and one member absent. Board leadership said that result did not meet the two‑thirds threshold required for passage on that first vote and that the board could either revisit the motion or allow the budget to fail that evening.

Following a brief recess, the board later voted to reconsider the approval motion. The motion to reconsider carried on a recorded roll call vote. The public transcript records the initial vote tally (6 ayes; 2 noes; 1 absent) and the board’s successful motion to reconsider; the final roll call tally for the ultimate disposition of the FY26 proposed budget was not specified in the public transcript provided.

Other formal actions at the meeting - Participation in Southeastern Wisconsin Schools Alliance (SWSA): The board adopted a resolution and authorized the president and clerk to sign the participation agreement and submit a $3,700 membership fee. (Motion moved by Director O’Halloran; second by Director Jackson; roll call recorded eight ayes.) - Administrative appointments and promotions: The board approved a revised appointment list submitted by administration. (Motion moved and seconded; roll call recorded eight ayes.) - Exceptions to bid awards: The board approved a slate of exception-to-bid contracts presented by administration. (Roll call recorded eight ayes.) - Resolution acknowledging contributions of Black students: The board adopted a resolution affirming support for Black students; roll call recorded eight ayes. - Reports of independent hearing officers (student expulsions): The board approved the officers’ reports as presented. (Roll call recorded eight ayes.) - Committee reports: The board approved the balance of standing committee reports after a roll-call vote.

Why it matters: The FY26 budget discussion occurred against the backdrop of uncertain state aid. During the meeting, the district’s government‑relations staff said the state Joint Finance Committee had, in its recent action, not included additional K‑12 state aid proposed by the governor; that development would shift more of any allowable per‑pupil increase onto local property tax levies if the legislature does not add funding. The superintendent and staff said they will continue budgeting work and pair community listening sessions and audits with the FY27 process.

Administrative updates cited during the meeting: Superintendent Dr. Cassellius reported lead‑remediation progress (seven schools cleared, work underway at others), an investment of $16 million into lead-related work, the disposal of 400,000 pounds of outdated materials from early-phase schools, and district scholarship totals exceeding $113 million for the Class of 2025. IT staff told directors principals’ technology requests have been collected and that device shipments and repairs would be carried out over the summer.

Ending: Directors and administration asked for follow-up on items raised by public commenters (specific schools with restroom and recess concerns, Chromebook lifecycle, and details of the safety‑hub proposal). The board scheduled further engagement in the fall during the FY27 budget cycle and committed to publishing more detailed timelines and vendor choices for the safety hub and facility investments.