Policy Priorities
OUR PRIORITIES
Our 2025-27 Legislative Priorities focus on three critical levers to create the conditions for high-quality schools to thrive in Milwaukee, and across the state.
PRIORITY 1
Every child deserves a fairly funded education
Eliminate funding gaps
Ensure every child at every school receives “core” funding equal to the state average.
Support vulnerable students
Increase reimbursement rates for special education, English Learners, and 4-year-old Kindergarten.
Modernize funding formula
Overhaul Wisconsin’s outdated funding model to a student-centered approach that allocates resources to all schools based on student characteristics & needs.
PRIORITY 2
Every family deserves honesty, transparency, & accountability in school performance
Clear Reporting
Fix the Wisconsin school & district report card to provide a clear & balanced picture of student achievement & growth.
High Expectations
Realign Wisconsin state standards and assessment ratings with NAEP + ACT proficiency benchmarks.
Consistent Standards
Require DPI to maintain academic performance trend data over time, and provide oversight for any future changes to state assessments or accountability system inputs.
PRIORITY 3
Every resident deserves a high-performing district at Milwaukee Public School (MPS)
Clean Up Finances & Operations
Complete all ongoing audits and address all findings/recommendations, and ensure MPS is in compliance with all statutory requirements.
Improve Governance & Engagement
Move School Board elections to fall on even-numbered years, and restructure the board to include appointed members with relevant academic, financial, and/or operational expertise alongside elected ones.
Focus on Students
Shift Milwaukee Board of School Directors’ role in citywide functions to focus on educating students attending MPS-operated schools, by transferring school facilities, property tax, and other functions to City and/or County government.
