Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee School Board approves $1.5 billion budget amid accounting crisis

Published

2 years ago

June 13, 2024

Milwaukee School Board approves .5 billion budget amid accounting crisis

Milwaukee School Board members approved a $1.5 billion budget Thursday night while they are still uncovering the full consequences of severe accounting failures by administrators who have left the district.

One of the eight board members, Darryl Jackson, voted against the budget.

Board members said they needed to approve a budget plan so the district can continue operating, paying staff and planning for the next school year, as MPS approaches the end of its fiscal year June 30. The board could make cuts to the budget later in the year, when the district’s financial situation becomes more clear.

The school district is facing a possible reduction in state aid to offset previous accounting errors that may have caused the district to be overpaid. MPS also faces threats of additional aid being withheld because of late financial reports, as officials dash to piece together months of faulty accounting.

Three top officials have departed MPS since the accounting problems came to light: Superintendent Keith Posley, Chief Financial Officer Martha Kreitzman and Comptroller Alfredo Balmaseda. A new coalition is seeking to recall four school board members. Gov. Tony Evers is hiring auditors to take a closer look at MPS operations.

The district notched one win on Thursday when board members and state officials agreed on a corrective action plan for the district. The approval of that plan means that MPS won’t miss its next state aid payment June 17.

Union calls for budget approval, others call for a delay

Before voting on the budget, board members heard the frustration of community members who felt blindsided by the news of the district’s accounting problems, especially on the heels of a successful referendum to raise local property taxes for the school district.

Annie Young said she was attending her first school board meeting, along with her two children.

“Why did you come to us asking us to give you more money so that things didn’t get cut, and you didn’t have your ducks in a row? You screwed us, and that made me upset,” Young said. “So at the age of 56 years old, I came down here for the very first time to say I’m disappointed, and I think everybody needs to do better.”

Some called on board members to delay their vote on the budget, while members of the Milwaukee Teachers Education Association urged board members to approve it.

“The board needs to pass the budget to stop the uncertainty that the families and workers have right now,” said Ingrid Walker-Henry, president of the MTEA, the union for MPS staff. She added that the board needs to “fix the problem that we all know exists and ensure that a situation like this never happens again.”

Jilly Gokalgandhi, vice president of the board and chair of the board’s budget committee, said the board needed to get a budget plan in place, and would consider changes to that budget plan after the state Department of Public Instruction determines how much state funding the district will receive in light of the district’s errors.

“This budget will change as DPI provides us with more information on what the real impact will look like for the district,” she said. “We know it’s a serious impact, and so as we get more information, we will share more information.”

Jackson, before voting against approval of the budget, said he was skeptical of the budget prepared by Posley.

“Payroll has to happen, people have to get paid, that’s a given,” Jackson said. “But also, I don’t trust the proposed budget that was put in place by past administration.”

Accounting errors could lead to future budget cuts

MPS could be docked between $35 million and $50 million in state aid for the next school year due to previous accounting errors by the district, according to initial estimates DPI provided to the Journal Sentinel Thursday afternoon.

If the state aid is reduced, the school board could make budget cuts, raise local property taxes to offset the reduction in state aid, dip into the district’s savings, or use some combination of those options, according to staff at the Wisconsin Policy Forum.

Gokalgandhi said the board would be “looking for solutions that do not impact the taxpayers,” acknowledging that those solutions could include budget cuts.

“I think across the board, we are feeling like we want to evaluate scenarios within our current budgetary abilities and powers to make sure that the taxpayers of Milwaukee are not impacted,” Gokalgandhi said.

Chris Bucher, communications officer for the state Department of Public Instruction, said the errors by MPS may have included grant dollars being coded into the wrong year, journal entries without complete documentation and incorrectly coded revenues and expenditures.

MPS budget cuts nearly 300 staff positions

The district’s budget plan cuts nearly 300 staff positions for the next school year. MPS has not answered questions from the Journal Sentinel or Wisconsin Policy Forum about how many of those positions are currently vacant.

School districts across the state are facing budget cuts this year, squeezed between rising costs and state-imposed revenue limits that haven’t kept pace with inflation.

When MPS board members voted on a referendum to send to voters this year, they chose a middle road: a tax increase that would significantly reduce the district’s deficit but not entirely eliminate it. The referendum will provide MPS with about $140 million in additional funds for the next school year, while the projected deficit was $200 million.

The biggest cut in the budget plan, which was presented in April by Posley, is the loss of about 130 school support teachers who mentor new teachers and facilitate training. They had been paid with federal pandemic relief aid, which is expiring. They are being offered jobs as classroom teachers, a district spokesperson said.

Posley’s budget plan also cut four out of 14 positions in the district’s Black and Latino Male Achievement Department and Gender Identity and Inclusion Department, including the GII director. A budget amendment from Gokalgandhi and board member Megan O’Halloran added the GII director back into the budget by cutting the district’s director of remote work.

Posley’s plan also cut seven of 22 staff members in two other departments: Restorative Practices, and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports. Board members O’Halloran and Erika Siemsen amended the budget to save the director of the Restorative Practices Department and two restorative practices coaches. The district plans to fund the jobs by not filling other vacant positions.

Other budget amendments from board members reversed Posley’s cuts to one mentor teacher, three trauma coaches and two work-based learning specialists.

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Milwaukee, WI

Carin León, Summerfest’s first regional Mexican music act, draws new visitors to Milwaukee

Published

4 hours ago

June 21, 2026

Press Room

Carin León, Summerfest’s first regional Mexican music act, draws new visitors to Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE – Summerfest wrapped up its first weekend Saturday with headliner Carin León, who organizers said is the first regional Mexican music artist to hit the stage.

Out-of-town draw

What they’re saying:

The performer drew visitors to the festival from Chicago to Michigan.

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“I love the experience, it’s really cool,” Gigi Acosta, who traveled from Chicago, said. “We love it, it’s so much fun here.”

Folks flocked into Henry Maier Festival Park to take part in the fun.

“He puts on a great show,” said Karina Rodriguez, who came from Chicago with her family.

“Five hours, to me, is really nothing to come see him,” said Tracey Solis, who along with Filberto Solís, traveled from Michigan.

Tourism in Milwaukee

Big picture view:

It is an impact Summerfest leaders said will have a greater impact on the city.

“We drive over $160 million in tourism to this economy,” Jerrod Woods, senior director of marketing for Summerfest, said. “Carin is another huge aspect of that to help bring all the tourism to the city.”

Woods said León’s performance is an example of the diverse number of artists they want to keep bringing to the festival.

“The amount of people and outpour that you receive, like, ‘thank you for bringing such an incredible artist,’ like Carin León, who represents the Latin community not only here in Milwaukee but around the region,” Woods said.

It’s what brought new visitors, like the Rodriguez family, to Milwaukee.

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“We brought my mom because she’s a super fan,” said Karina Rodriguez. “She loves him, and this is our first time at Summerfest.”

Acosta even made a poster hoping to get her favorite artist’s attention.

“I love you Carin León,” she said as she blew a kiss.

What’s next:

Organizers said Saturday’s show is another example of giving people what they want. They told FOX6 News that they are already planning for 2027.

The Source: Information in this story is from FOX6 News interviews with Gigi Acosta, Tracey Solis, Filberto Solís, Karina Rodriguez, Georgina Rodriguez, Casey Rodriguez, and Jerrod Woods.

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Milwaukee, WI

Brewers’ No. 6 prospect gives glowing review of Milwaukee’s farm system

Published

14 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Press Room

Brewers’ No. 6 prospect gives glowing review of Milwaukee’s farm system

While the Milwaukee Brewers continue their battle for NL Central supremacy, 2025 first-round selection Andrew Fischer is working his way up the minor leagues. Now the No. 6 ranked prospect in the team’s farm system, the third baseman posted a .311/.402/.446 slash line in 19 games with the High-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.

Fischer’s recent performance warranted a promotion to the Double-A, where he is now competing as part of the Biloxi Shuckers. The 22-year-old is turning heads around the league, leading him to join Foul Territory TV for a recent interview about his experience in the Brewers’ farm system so far:

“The talent in here is unreal. I think that’s why the Brewers do such a good job of developing their guys, is they put you in environments where you’re literally competing every day with the best of the best,” Fischer explained. “For me, it’s going to make my batting practice sharper. It’s going to make my in-game reps sharper. It’s going to make our communication on the field sharper. It’s honestly really special what they have over here.”

Before diving into the specifics of what he discussed — this was a great first impression as someone who had never seen Fischer in an interview before! He’s well-spoken, he seems passionate, and he has a good sense of the value of the opportunities around him. As the Brewers search for answers at third base, he’ll certainly be in the back of GM Matt Arnold’s mind. If he can keep producing the way he has thus far, it won’t be a hard decision down the line.

But more importantly in the short-term, Fischer pinpointed the exact winning recipe that has been driving sustainable long-term success for the Brewers all decade.

Andrew Fischer just summed up one of the hardest lessons the Brewers organization has ever learned.

When you’re considered a small market in a league like the MLB where spending can equate to success, the only way to compete is to double down on what you’re good at. For the Milwaukee Brewers, that’s become scouting and development.

From rookies to reclamation projects, the Brewers help players find the best in themselves by simplifying the game, building good habits, and having players lead by example. As Fischer discussed, surrounding talented players with other like-minded individuals is a recipe for building sustainable growth. Those incremental steps toward success stack up until eventually, you’ve got a winning ballclub on your hands.

It starts with the front office, where GM Matt Arnold and the Brewers’ elite scouting team identify players with the traits that fit on and off the field. That trickles down to the managers and coaches, who see the potential in these players and use their expertise to draw it out of them. That, along with the camaraderie these players build along the way, is the recipe for a culture that could bring success to Milwaukee for many years to come.

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Milwaukee, WI

Today’s Summerfest schedule and picks: Saturday, June 20

Published

1 day ago

June 20, 2026

Press Room

Today’s Summerfest schedule and picks: Saturday, June 20

Every morning throughout Summerfest 2026, we’ll deliver a guide that covers the day’s entertainment and how you can get in the gate free of charge. This is where you’ll find info about the AmFam Amp headliners, eclectic picks from our knowledgeable staff and the music lineup for the day (see the full 2026 Summerfest lineup here).

Today at the AmFam Amp + Radio Milwaukee staff pick #1

Carín León, 7 p.m.

For the first time in the festival’s 58-year history, a Spanish-language artist is headlining the main amphitheater. As a Mexican, it’s super exciting to see rising stars bring our music and vibrant dancing to an entirely new crowd. Hearing live banda is a whole new world and something everyone needs to experience at least once in their life. Think of it as a taste of what Mexican Fiesta brings to the lakefront every August (coming very soon, too!). Grab a beer your boots and your tickets to witness a very special moment.

— Leslie Garcia Ramirez

Radio Milwaukee staff pick #2

The Academy Is… @ Miller Oasis, 10:30 p.m.

In the midst of the emo and screamo wave of the early to mid 2000s, this Midwest band made a name for themselves. Still, you may have missed The Academy Is… like I did.

Fortunately, I got some help after becoming a diehard fan boy of the Milwaukee indie-rock outfit Whips (RIP! 😢) and discovered that band wasn’t Milwaukee-based drummer Andy Mrotek’s first rodeo. Mrotek was with The Academy Is… almost from day one, did his own thing when the group broke up and returned when they got back together a few years back.

Since reconnecting, the band have been touring and recording, and this past March they released their most recent album — their first in nearly 20 years. Whether you’re a fan of The Academy Is… or just loved the genre, reunite with your mid-2000s self and check them out at the Miller Oasis (and come early to check out fellow emo greats Braid, which you may hear about momentarily).

— Jay Burseth

Radio Milwaukee staff pick #3

Braid @ Miller Oasis, 8:30 p.m.

Hailing from the Midwest Emo Holy Land of Champaign, Ill., Braid is the sonic personification of everything it means to grow up in the chilling plains of Middle America. The stinging lyrics and pouting guitars amalgamate to anthems that have had angsty teens in a chokehold since well before their landmark 1998 album, Frame and Canvas.

This posse of sad dads is set to take on the Miller Oasis, making their return to the Summerfest grounds for the first time since 2015, when they closed the set with their love note for our great city, “Milwaukee Sky Rocket.” Braid’s irrefutable impact on our city’s emo scene will be sure to draw in kickers and screamers from all over, and you won’t want to miss it.

— Matthew Poulton

Radio Milwaukee staff pick #4

Trapper Schoepp @ Uline Warehouse, 5:30 p.m.

It’s always a special treat to see Milwaukee bands playing Summerfest. I get excited to think about all the new fans our local artists reach when they hit the stage — something singer-songwriter Trapper Schoepp has experienced a time or two over his wonderful career.

One of Milwaukee’s true artists, Schoepp’s career in music literally started as an accident. While recuperating from a BMX-related back injury, he heard Bob Dylan’s “Hurricane” and was inspired to pick up a guitar as a “safer” hobby. He put out his first record at the age of 17 with his brother Tanner; he’s collaborated with Bob Dylan, Nicole Atkins and Wilco; and — almost two decades later — he’s still one of those musicians who seems to thrive onstage.

Schoepp’s songs are a slice of Americana with a bit of a punk-rock edge. He sings about the nostalgia of his youth on Bay Beach Amusement Park, and his journey through addiction and recovery on new album Osborne. Will he come out into the crowd and play guitar while standing on the benches with you? Check out the show this today and find out for yourself.

How to get in free today

Briggs & Stratton United Way Diaper & Wipe Drive

Help United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County provide essential diapers and wipes to families across the community. Between noon and 3 p.m., the first 1,500 patrons who donate new unopened wipes or diapers with a total minimum value of $10 per person will receive one free admission ticket, valid for the day and time of the promotion only. All donations benefit United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County’s Diaper Bank network.