MILWAUKEE — Approval of Milwaukee Public Schools’ (MPS) new $252 million tax referendum came down to the wire Tuesday night, with just more than 51% percent of voters approving it in the end.

“This will directly support children and teachers in our classrooms,” said Keith Posley, MPS superintendent. “We will continue prioritize district efficiencies to help ensure that MPS is positioned for success long into the future.” 

Posley said MPS is evaluating ways to be efficient with funding moving forward.

“This is not going to solve all of our problems,” said Posley. “There will be efficiencies that we’ll have to look at in the central office level. There’s efficiencies we have to look at the school level.”

To pay for the four-year funding increase, property taxes will increase in the City of Milwaukee by $216/year on a $100,000 home, $432/year on a $200,000 home and so on.

Dale Kooyenga, the president of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC), said the property tax hike was a non-starter for the group as they’d rallied opposition to the measure.

“Come December, they’re going to see an increase in their property taxes,” said Kooyenga. “The best way to solve that problem is economic growth. So we have more economic growth, we have more property taxes payers that will help smooth it over time. But ultimately, if this money does translate to better educational outcomes, then it was a good investment.”

He said the MMAC wants to work with MPS moving forward to ensure Milwaukee is a good community for education.

It’s a conversation Posley said MPS is open to.

“We’re ready to work with you together to see what we can do to make sure our children are successful,” said Posley.

Posley said the facility master plan will be submitted to the MPS board of directors soon.