After strong public protest, Milwaukee board directs administration to meet and confer on steps-and-lanes pay increases

The Milwaukee Board of School Directors directed the administration to meet and confer with applicable bargaining units on proposed steps‑and‑lanes salary schedule adjustments for FY27 after extensive public comment and union objections.

Administration noted the proposal would advance eligible workers on the pay schedule at an estimated cost of about $10.4 million, and said it was intended to reward longevity and educational attainment. "This is an increase, over 1% of their income," the superintendent said, describing an average increase in the 1.5–1.9% range.

Public comment was strongly skeptical of the timeline and the administration’s outreach. MTEA leaders, building reps and several employees repeatedly said the union had not been provided the district’s compensation manual or engaged on the proposal in meet‑and‑confer. "The administration has made no attempt to meet and confer with MTEA on steps and lanes," said a union representative in public comment.

Board action: Rather than enact the steps‑and‑lanes item the same night, Director O'Halloran moved and the board approved a directive that administration meet and confer with the applicable union partners; the recorded roll call in the transcript shows the motion passed with six ayes.

What was asked of administration: Board members and union representatives asked administration to produce clear cost estimates, provide the compensation manual and show how the steps‑and‑lanes proposal interacts with expected turnover, retirements and other workforce changes.

Next steps: Administration said it will meet and confer with MTEA and other applicable unions. Some board members indicated they would prefer bringing a revised proposal back after bargaining or with the full May budget.