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MPS governmental-relations report warns of state and federal budget uncertainty and potential program cuts
Summary
Chris Thiele of MPS governmental relations briefed the board on the governor's $3.1 billion K-12 proposal, potential to increase special-education reimbursement toward 90%, the proposed cost split for school resource officers, and possible federal cuts to Title I/II/III and Medicaid that could affect district services.
Chris Thiele, director of governmental relations for Milwaukee Public Schools, told the board the state and federal budget processes pose both opportunities and risks for district funding.
At the state level, Thiele said the governor introduced an executive budget that includes a $3.1 billion proposal for K-12 education over the biennium. "Within the parameters of that $3,100,000,000 you could fund" proposals such as moving special-education reimbursement toward 90 percent and a revenue-limit increase, he said, but noted the legislative process would likely "start from base" and that policy choices remain.
Thiele said the governor's budget also addresses a gap in funding for school resource officers (SROs), proposing that Milwaukee Public Schools pay 25 percent of SRO costs and the City of Milwaukee pay 75 percent. "The governor, recognizing that in his budget proposal, indicated that he would have the Milwaukee Public School District pay for 25% of that program and the city pay for 75% of that program," Thiele said.
On the federal side, Thiele warned that recent House votes to reduce discretionary spending could translate into cuts for Title I, Title II and Title III programs or Medicaid supports after subcommittee allocations are decided. He said past House proposals reduced Title I by roughly 25 percent and eliminated Title II and Title III in prior proposals; if similar cuts were enacted, he estimated the district could lose more than $35 million annually. He also reported that some federal contracts supporting teacher recruitment and training have been cut, citing a University of Wisconsin contract to train 33 special-education teachers that was reduced.
Thiele urged board members and the community to monitor the process and contact legislators. He and the board's governmental-relations office said they are coordinating with the Council of Great City Schools and elected officials to push back on cuts.
The report was informational; no board action was taken on the budget items during open session.
