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Board approves relocation of deaf and hard-of-hearing program to Niskara Elementary
Summary
The committee approved moving the districtwide Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) program from Milwaukee Sign Language School to Niskara Elementary for 2026–27 after a multi-year task force review; board members cited student access and facility supports; move passed on a 5–0 roll call.
The Committee on Student Achievement and School Innovation voted unanimously to approve the administration's recommendation to relocate the districtwide Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) program from Milwaukee Sign Language School to Niskara Elementary for the 2026–27 school year.
Superintendent Brenda Cassellia told the committee the recommendation follows two years of task-force meetings, surveys and program comparisons and aligns with administrative policy 7.05 on program placement. She said Niskara was identified because it already includes specialized lighting and visual-notification systems that support DHH students and that citywide enrollment options will remain available to current students.
At the public comment period, Laylee McLaughlin, who identified herself and said she has worked in the program for more than a decade, urged the board to move this year and described the existing arrangement as ‘‘a failed model of deaf education’’ that has led to segregated outcomes. McLaughlin told the committee the relocation is essential to reforming instructional pathways and preventing further language delays for students.
Director Herndon asked whether the plan is temporary or long term and whether middle-school students would also relocate. Travis Pinter, senior director of specialized services, said the current plan places K–5 at Niskara and will locate middle-school grades at Golda Meir (noting that an 8th-grade cohort does not currently exist at Milwaukee Sign Language School). He said programmatic details and any space modifications remain the work of the task force.
Director Ferguson moved the recommendation; the secretary called the roll and the motion passed with five ayes. The board directed staff to continue task-force planning and to work on the programmatic details needed to implement the move.
The committee did not set a final date for any subsequent program consolidation beyond the 2026–27 placement; task-force work on curriculum and space will continue.
