MPS committee approves wording change to homeless-student policy to align verification and transportation practice

The Committee on Legislation, Rules and Policies voted to approve a language change to Milwaukee Public Schools’ Administrative Policy 8.5 (homeless students), adopting administration’s recommendation to change a provision from "as long as they are homeless" to "end of the school year." Superintendent Brenda Casellia presented the change and Paulette Chambers, director for specialized services, explained the intent.

Chambers told the committee the change does not remove services: "the students would be able to continue their services… The change in language is more so to ensure that we're following the act of requirements to be, homeless," and that yearly verification for transportation would continue. Committee members asked whether an expulsion or similar disciplinary action would affect services; administration confirmed the change is intended to align verification and transportation year-to-year without cutting services.

Director Jackson moved approval; the committee recorded a unanimous roll call — Jackson Aye, O'Halloran Aye, Chair Zomber Aye — and the motion passed.

Why it matters: The revision clarifies the district’s verification timeframe for homeless status to support consistent transportation and services, while administration emphasized that students classified as homeless will continue to receive supports and transportation verification annually.

The Office of Board Governance will implement the revised language in policy 8.5 as approved by the committee.