Readers, I wanted to share with you my open letter to educators, on this week when all the nation gives its thanks for teachers. You can share your thanks for an MPS teacher by posting a comment online, using the form at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/62HLTS8 Dear MPS Educators, This first full week in May is National Teacher Appreciation [...]
Budget news, and a word for teachers
April 27, 2012 By
This week we delivered to the Board the FY13 proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2013. Documents are now available on the MPS Portal. Look for the purple graphic titled “Building the Budget” on the homepage. Here’s a quick link: http://www5.milwaukee.k12.wi.us/dept/budget/ Our goals in creating this proposal include increasing opportunities for art, music and physical education and supporting the higher [...]
Thanks to teachers for considering contract change
April 4, 2012 By
I want to thank our thousands of dedicated teachers for considering changes in their contract over the past several weeks. I know it was a tough decision to weigh. I’m proud of the leadership of their union, the Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association, for bringing the proposal forward. And I’m grateful for the opportunity created by [...]
Talks, tutoring and a basketball tournament!
March 16, 2012 By
In Madison last week, the state legislature passed a resolution supporting a 30-day window for talks between the district and the MTEA regarding salary and/or fringe benefits. There was a significant amount of news coverage about this, though there was no actual debate about it on the floor at the state capital. I want you to [...]
Introducing students to skilled trades
March 8, 2012 By
I received a question to our website from a man named Frank regarding preparation of students as skilled workers for local companies. Frank wanted to know “Is there any way to restore the machine and electrical shops in some of the high schools? Can the companies work with the schools to provide instructors?” I thought [...]
Questions on specialty schools, theater classes and textbooks
February 17, 2012 By
Let’s address a number of questions that have been posted through the “Ask Me” section of my website. Questions from Brian, Lisa, Brigette and Ismael were on a similar theme. They are parents of children at some of our specialty schools. They felt their schools will be under-funded next school year. Here’s how Brian stated it: …We [...]
