The president of the Milwaukee Public Schools board speaks out against the government takeover.
MPS Board President Michael Bonds testifies at a public hearing at the state capitol regarding the possible mayoral takeover of the state’s largest school district.
“As board president, and my colleagues, we strongly oppose the takeover.”
Bonds says having Milwaukee’s mayor appoint a superintendent and a new school board for the district would not increase the chances of getting a portion of the $4.35-billion from the federal government.
The Board President says, with regard to the “Race To The Top” stimulus funds, the public is being misled.
“It’s being portrayed that millions will come to the city of Milwaukee. That’s inaccurate. The funds come back to the state legislature which would have to decide how to allocate the money to the 426 school districts. So, a lot of misinformation is out there.”
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett had said he wants to have the mayor take control in order to close the racial achievement gap. Barrett insisted a mayoral takeover of MPS is about increasing accountability.
Bonds appeared Tuesday before the Assembly Committee on Education Reform.
NOTE: MPS has more than 87,000 students and 6,000 teachers, about 200 schools. The state Legislature would have to approve the measure.