Milwaukee Public Schools Faces $81 Million Decrease in State Aid for 2024-25 School Year
Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) is set to receive about $81 million less in state general school aid in the 2024-25 school year, based on estimated data released by the Department of Public Instruction. This reduction comes after the district faced financial scandal earlier this year when it was revealed that financial documents were missing for months.
Half of the $81 million decrease is due to district reporting errors in the 2022-23 school year. The estimated state aid for MPS in the upcoming school year is $555.3 million, a 12.75 percent decrease from the previous year.
In response to the funding decrease, the district’s $1.5 billion budget, approved last month, included a $124.6 million increase in property taxes and general aid. The budget can be adjusted after final aid calculations are released in October. MPS also passed a $252 million referendum in the spring to help address a $200 million deficit.
MPS is now faced with making tough decisions to maintain services for students and uphold commitments made to taxpayers. Board president Marva Herndon emphasized the importance of maintaining art, music, library, and gym programs.
Experts like Jason Stein from the Wisconsin Policy Forum and Quinton Klabon from the Institute for Reforming Government anticipate challenges in addressing the budget gap and recommend careful consideration of all budget decisions to ensure the quality of education and services for students.
Despite the challenges, statewide estimates show a 4.2 percent increase in general school aid for the upcoming school year, with Madison Metropolitan Area School District seeing a 36 percent increase and Racine Unified School District receiving a 14 percent increase in aid.
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