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MPS report: 155 art positions filled; district highlights arts expansion and curriculum work
Summary
Fine arts manager Dr. Deborah Bowling told the committee the district filled 155 art educator positions this year (plus six vendor-covered roles), has expanded curriculum and coaching, and is using sketchnoting and visual strategies to boost engagement; directors requested a detailed staffing/report be provided to the board.
The Milwaukee School District reported progress expanding visual arts instruction across the district, with fine arts manager Dr. Deborah Bowling saying 155 art positions were filled this year and six additional vacancies were staffed through board-approved vendors.
"This has allowed us to offer art at all of our schools," Bowling said, and described a district-aligned curriculum, essential standards assignments and district checkpoints in grades K-5 to monitor student progress.
Bowling highlighted two visual art instructional coaches who lead curriculum development and professional learning, support early-career teachers, and collaborate on arts integration strategies such as sketchnoting and visual thinking to increase engagement and differentiate instruction.
Directors thanked the arts team and asked administration to provide a detailed staffing and services report for the 2025-26 school year; administration agreed to provide the requested report, noting the 2026-27 year would be incomplete at this time.
The committee discussed restoring policy links in the board's document portal as the district transitions to a new board docs platform so members and the public can view relevant policies alongside agenda items.
The administration said staffing projections for 2026-27 look similar and that the department will continue efforts to audit high school course offerings and build equity across the district.
