MPS: A Crisis of Priorities

Milwaukee Public Schools is in crisis…. again. Facing a staggering $46 million deficit, the decisions of the district and school board raise a troubling question: Do we truly value education and the people who have committed their lives to it? These days, I’m not so sure.

We often speak with reverence about teachers, referring to them as heroes, especially in moments of crisis. We praise their dedication, sacrifice, and willingness to show up day after day for our children. But when budgets tighten, that praise too often rings hollow. Because when difficult financial decisions must be made, particularly in urban districts, educators and students are among the first to bear the burden.

The district’s current plan, to move some administrators into classrooms as a cost-saving measure, may appear pragmatic on the surface. But beneath it lies a deeper issue. This approach risks devaluing both roles. Effective teaching is not a fallback position; it is a specialized profession that requires preparation, skill, and commitment. Likewise, strong administration requires its own expertise. Shuffling people between roles to plug financial gaps sends the message that neither position is worthy of intentional investment.

Even more concerning is the human toll. Behind every reassignment, forced retirement, or layoff is a person who chose this work.  Often, in the face of better-paying and less demanding alternatives, there are those who believe in the mission of public education. To treat those individuals as an expendable line item in a budget is not just shortsighted; it reflects a profound level of disregard and disrespect.

At the same time, leadership must also set the tone. If we are asking educators and school personnel to absorb the shock of this deficit, then those at the top should be willing to share in that sacrifice. That is why it is both reasonable and necessary to call for Superintendent Dr. Brenda Cassellius to accept a pay reduction. Leadership is not just about making decisions; it is about modeling accountability. In moments like this, symbolic gestures matter. They demonstrate solidarity and reinforce that we are all in this together.

Yet what remains most frustrating is the apparent lack of a clear, cohesive strategy from the school board. A financial crisis of this magnitude demands more than reactive measures. It requires a thoughtful, transparent plan that not only addresses the immediate shortfall but also lays the groundwork for long-term stability. Instead, what we are seeing feels piecemeal, with decisions made in isolation rather than as part of a comprehensive vision. We have structural issues that no one seems capable of explaining to taxpayers.

Milwaukee’s students deserve better. And so do the educators who serve them.

If we truly believe that education is the foundation of our community, then we must act like it. That means making hard choices, yes, but it also means making fair ones. It means valuing experience, honoring commitment, and recognizing that the people in our classrooms are not interchangeable parts.

We cannot continue to say one thing about the importance of education while doing another when it matters most. In the end, how we treat our educators is the clearest reflection of our priorities and how we are willing to treat our children.