MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee residents are set to vote on the future of Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) in the upcoming spring election on April 2.

What You Need To Know

  • MPS asks voters for $252 million in April referendum

  • If passed, the referendum would raise property taxes by roughly $216 per every $100,000 

  • A representative for the district said the four-year funding increase would go toward maintaining smaller class sizes, retaining programming in art, music, libraries and physical education and keeping high-quality teachers

On the ballot is a referendum which would, in part, raise property taxes by roughly $216 per every $100,000 in assessed value to provide MPS with an additional $252 million in funding.

A representative for the district said the four-year funding increase would go toward maintaining smaller class sizes, retaining programming in art, music, libraries and physical education and keeping high-quality teachers. 

While the district’s leaders tied the need for the funding increase to a lack in state funding for roughly 16 years, some Milwaukee residents, including LaToya Woods, are opposing it. She joined roughly two dozen other Milwaukee residents Wednesday morning to rally against the proposal.

“An increase in property taxes will push housing cost higher and make Milwaukee less affordable,” said Woods. 

Woods is a lifelong Milwaukee resident and has kids in the district. She said she has concerns for the middle and lower class along with senior citizens if this passes. 

“I don’t know about you, but the cost of everything else in my life has skyrocketed,” said Woods. “Insurance, groceries, gas, health care, medication. I can’t afford this now and so can’t many more Milwaukeeans.”

Robin Kitzrow is a retired MPS educator. Kitzrow was not only a teacher but an assistant principal and principal in her tenure. 

She said her concern is that the referendum wouldn’t benefit the students in the long run. 

“Families and children that attend MPS are the losers,” said Kitzrow. “The MPS district needs a comprehensive plan to improve the future of our children. Vote ‘no.’”

The group marched across the street from City Hall to the Zeidler building to cast their ballots in early voting.

Woods and Kitzrow said they want other residents to also vote “no.” 

“It’s detrimental to ask socially economic disadvantage families to pay more when they’re barely making ends meet,” said Woods. 

Both said they want the best for MPS students and families but are asking the district to come up with a plan that would benefit everyone. 

The Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association said voting “no” would impact students negatively. 

Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association president Ingrid Walker-Henry said this is an investment that needs to be made for MPS students. 

“In the last few years MPS has expanded music programs at 90 schools, art programs in 56 schools, gym in 59 schools and boosted technical and vocational opportunities that set our children up for success,” said Walker-Henry. “Voting ‘no’ would take away these opportunities for MPS children.

For more information on the referendum, click here.

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