MPS committee adopts resolution to create operational review advisory committee

The Committee on Parent and Community Engagement of the Milwaukee Public Schools board on March 1 adopted Resolution 2425R-010 to establish an operational review advisory committee and directed the administration, working with the Office of Accountability and the Office of Board Governance, to present the committee charge to the full board.

The resolution, introduced by Chair Sherry Leonard, passed on a 3-0 voice roll call. Director Zomber moved approval with the amendment that the administration in collaboration with the Office of Accountability and the Office of Board Governance present the committee charge; Director Ferguson seconded. The clerk recorded votes of Aye from Director Ferguson, Director Zomber and Chair Leonard.

Why it matters: speakers at the meeting and multiple public commenters cited the recent statewide operational audit and said a standing advisory body could help translate audit recommendations into coordinated, transparent work across central office and schools. Public commentators urged the board to ensure the committee centers equity and community involvement.

Public comment in support: Angela Lucas Foley, a Milwaukee educator and parent, told the committee that “an operational review committee would be a really good first step” to rebuild trust between district offices and families following the statewide audit. Lucas Weir, a community member, urged the board to address chronic staffing shortages and long‑standing inequities, saying the district has “made a practice of balancing their budgets on vacancies,” and urging the committee to confront that practice.

Committee discussion and amendment: Directors asked whether the operational review committee would be limited to the MGT operational audit or should also incorporate the forthcoming instructional/academic review. Chair Leonard and interim Superintendent Eduardo Galvan said the motion as adopted focuses the new advisory committee on the operational review for the present moment but left open the option of combining or coordinating with an academic review later. Director Zomber requested clarity on which office would schedule and present the committee charge; the motion adopted explicitly directs administration, in collaboration with the Office of Accountability and the Office of Board Governance, to present the committee charge to the board.

The adopted resolution directs the committee to include community and staff members as advisers; the resolution text included in the meeting packet also names the superintendent, the Office of Accountability and Efficiency (OAE) and the Office of Board Governance (OBG) as central participants in presenting the charge and coordinating next steps.

What the motion did not decide: the committee will not begin with a finalized membership roster or a detailed timeline beyond the direction to present a committee charge to the board; the composition and schedule for subsequent meetings were left to administration and the offices named.

Next steps: administration will prepare and bring the committee charge back to the board as directed. The motion passed and the committee moved on to other agenda items.