Milwaukee, WI

MPS superintendent must return to classrooms to fix Milwaukee’s schools | Opinion

Published

2 years ago

June 22, 2024

Press Room

MPS superintendent must return to classrooms to fix Milwaukee’s schools | Opinion

The next MPS superintendent should have the autonomy to pave the way and be willing to shake things up, and the new board should support this person.

The Milwaukee School Board has a challenging few months ahead rebuilding trust in the state’s largest school system from addressing pressing financial concerns to protecting the district from potential losses of millions of dollars.

But even with that daunting list, it’s most important task will be hiring a new superintendent in the wake of the resignation of Superintendent Keith Posley earlier this month. Bringing in a dynamic leader is all the more critical since a mayoral takeover of the school system, which I still believe is the best way to revitalize the district, has been rejected by Mayor Cavalier Johnson.

After talking with several school leaders and educators, finding the correct fix and the right superintendent won’t be easy. MPS is deeply entrenched in maintaining the status quo and is resistant to the necessary changes that would benefit our students. And all of this comes as a recall effort has been launched against several board members.

Being inside schools will be critical for next MPS superintendent

The next MPS superintendent must be a strong problem solver and an influential critical thinker, but just as important as that is, where the leader spends time is critical, which is why I think the new leader should dedicate at least one day a week to being present in a school. Being close enough to see potential problems will help in understanding the issues. What are the needs of the teachers and students? Where are the gaps? Understanding these aspects is crucial to improving the current MPS trajectory.

The superintendent must possess excellent communication skills and understand how to effectively communicate with parents, business leaders, taxpayers, and the school board. This means being able to articulate both positive and negative aspects properly.

Additionally, the new leader of MPS should view the district as a place where they would want to send their children. The selection should not be rushed. The board should wait until all the recall efforts are completed.

The new superintendent should have the autonomy to pave the way and be willing to shake things up, and the new board should support this person. Unlike previous MPS leaders, the new superintendent should prioritize literacy and black male graduation rates and close one of the country’s largest achievement gaps between black and white students.

The lack of sufficient literacy in the Black community is a significant factor that contributes to making Milwaukee perennially one of the worst cities in America to raise a black child. MPS is unquestionably letting down our children, and as a result, it is failing all of us.

SEED schools and tougher summer school rules should be considered

We need to consider all possible options to prioritize the needs of our children. This should involve implementing compulsory summer school for students who are more than two grades behind in reading. School leaders should also consider establishing a SEED School to provide around-the-clock education, tutoring, mentorship, and housing for young people in need, and transforming our district into a school system that we can all take pride in.

Kristin Brey: Democrats should use billboards to spotlight ‘horrible’ votes on women’s rights

SEED schools are public, college-preparatory boarding schools designed for students who need a 24-hour learning environment to reach their full potential. About 90% of SEED 9th graders graduate from high school and 94% enroll in college. Only 65% of MPS students complete high school in four years.

MPS considered a SEED school model during the mid-2000s but the board rejected the idea because they said it was too expensive. would argue that it costs far more to have our children struggle to graduate from high school.

Milwaukee Public School system has been broken for long time

In a recent opinion piece for the Journal Sentinel, former MPS Superintendent William Andrekopolus stated that adults have failed children in the district. Andrekopolus, 72, said MPS has a broken governance system, and the only way to fix it would be for Gov. Tony Evers to replace the existing school board and superintendent with a special commissioner and a seven-member community advisory panel (appointed by community stakeholders) for three years.

When I interviewed Andrekopolus earlier this week, he said MPS must be transparent and put children first.

“Too much of the superintendent’s time is spent on adults and not children and that’s got to change,” said Andrekopolus, a former middle school principal and MPS superintendent from 2002-2010.

James Causey: Allowing guns into the Republican National Convention security zone is worrying

My relationship with Andrekopolus began in 2008 when I started reporting on education for the Journal Sentinel Editorial Board. At that time, Andrekopolus was the superintendent, and I advocated for a mayoral takeover because I believed the board hindered his progress and they wanted to keep the status quo.

It’s not a good sign that we are still having the same discussions today as we did back then.

Finding someone who can come in and turn around MPS could take as long as a year. When the district narrows down the finalists, the public and students must have input. The next superintendent must be bold because failure cannot be an option.

Reach James E. Causey at jcausey@jrn.com; follow him on X @jecausey.

Source link

Click to comment

Milwaukee, WI

Brandon Woodruff exits Milwaukee Brewers' loss in 4th inning

Published

4 hours ago

July 5, 2026

Press Room

Brandon Woodruff exits Milwaukee Brewers' loss in 4th inning

Starter Brandon Woodruff, 33, exited with an injury in the fourth inning of the Milwaukee Brewers’ 4-3 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday night, and manager Pat Murphy said that the veteran would probably need to be placed on the injured list.

Source link

Milwaukee, WI

Game Discussion: Milwaukee Brewers (54-32) @ Arizona Diamondbacks (43-43)

Published

14 hours ago

July 4, 2026

Press Room

Game Discussion: Milwaukee Brewers (54-32) @ Arizona Diamondbacks (43-43)

Brewers have a chance to win their second series in a row and their first of July this evening in Arizona as they get set to take the season series against the Diamondbacks.

After a late night yesterday with over eight innings thrown by the Brewers bullpen, they’ll lean on Brandon Woodruff to provide them with rest. Woodruff will be making his third start on the mound since returning from the injured list and his ninth overall on the season. Since returning, Woodruff has thrown 11 2/3 innings, giving up just two hits, no runs, and has struck out 16. That brings his season total to a 2.59 ERA with 41 strikeouts.

Tonight’s start will be Woodruff’s ninth against the Diamondbacks in his career. Most recently, he was sent to the injured list after he completed 1 1/3 innings at the end of April. Overall, he has been up-and-down throughout the course of his career against the Diamondbacks, posting a 4.65 ERA with 51 strikeouts.

For the Diamondbacks, Merrill Kelly will be handed the ball to make his 15th start of the season. He’s been in the midst of his worst season up to this point in his career as he enters tonight with a 5.84 ERA, having allowed 18 home runs, 33 walks, and only striking out 33. He finished the month of June with a 7.31 ERA, as in his last start, he allowed five runs to the Tampa Bay Rays.

Lifetime against the Brewers, Kelly has been successful, posting a 3.41 ERA in 11 games. However, in his last outing against the Brewers in April, he gave up five runs on six hits and five walks.

Though no lineups have been announced yet, much of both of these lineups have faced both teams’ starting pitcher. For the Brewers, Sal Frelick and Brice Turang have witnessed the most success against Kelly, as they hope to replicate what they did in Milwaukee back in April.

You’ll be able to listen to tonight’s game on the Brewers Radio Network on WTMJ 620 while being able to watch it on Brewers.TV. First pitch will be another late one as it’s slated for 8:40 p.m.

Source link

Milwaukee, WI

Today’s Summerfest schedule and picks: Saturday, July 4

Published

1 day ago

July 4, 2026

Press Room

Today’s Summerfest schedule and picks: Saturday, July 4

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

Jelly Roll w/Tyler Hubbard, Three 6 Mafia, 7 p.m.

If you’re not familiar with the Jelly Roll Cinematic Universe, this must look like the weirdest lineup at the amphitheater during Summerfest 2026. You’ve got Mr. Roll himself at the top, with his swirl of country and rap that broke through in 2023 to the tune of two platinum-selling albums: Whitsitt Chapel and Beautifully Broken. Then there’s Tyler Hubbard, a comparatively straight-ahead country artist who’s found success solo and as a member of Florida Georgia Line.

Which brings us to Three 6 Mafia, the influential Memphis hip-hop group whose deep catalog of crunk and other rap subgenres left a huge mark on countless artists, including Jelly Roll. The Amp’s headliner has said Three 6 Mafia is one of the reasons he started rapping in the first place, and he’s collaborated with DJ Paul while appearing live with the group’s members frequently over the years. No doubt they’ll share the big stage tonight at some point.

Radio Milwaukee staff pick #1

Known Moons @ T-Mobile Stage, 2:30 p.m.

This reco is a “six degrees” situation that started back when I was in some mediocre (read: shitty) pop-punk bands that played with a group called Pleasant Street. Guitarist Nick Woods was part of that band and went on to other projects like Direct Hit!, which made the best punk albums of the mid-2010s. His Pleasant Street bandmate Danny Walkowiak is, in my opinion, among the best drummers in this or any generation. He’s now part of Milwaukee alt/dream-pop band Known Moons, another very good product of our city’s music scene. Go see them today.

— Jay Burseth

Radio Milwaukee staff pick #2

Soul Asylum @ Generac Power Stage, 5:30 p.m.

It was almost exactly a year ago that Soul Asylum’s Dave Pirner and Ryan Smith stopped by our HQ for a Studio Milwaukee Session and, in the process, reconfirmed my belief in the power of pioneering alternative bands.

Soul Asylum might have been the first one I hooked onto after reaching the age when I was musically mature enough to make responsible album-purchasing decisions, and those songs from Grave Dancers Union and Let Your Dim Light Shine still rattle around in my brain. Pirner and Smith were wonderful to watch last summer in our space, and it’ll be great to catch them again on the Big Gig’s final day.

— Brett Krzykowski

Radio Milwaukee staff pick #3

VALÉ & Gego Y Nony @ Aurora Pavilion, 3:15 p.m.

Barranquilla lands in Milwaukee with a lot of pop, R&B in a language I know all too well: Spanglish.

VALÉ, the 23-year-old Colombian artist now based in Los Angeles, has been busy releasing singles and EPs since 2021, building a collection of music that gets audiences dancing. This artist introduces moments of reggaeton within an electrifying pop beat, all while weaving between her native Spanish and English as she speaks on the pressures of love and family.

Headlining her first tour in November, this is a great chance to see VALÉ as she continues to rise in the world of Latin alternative. She also happens to be a great match for the duo following her on stage at the Aurora Pavilion: homegrown reggaetoneros Gego Y Nony.

Hailing from a family of percussionists, these brothers keep Puerto Rico and Milwaukee close to their heart as they sing, rap and compose their own music while leaning into the “new wave” of reggaeton, influenced by artists like R.K.M and Ken-Y. What makes this concert all the more exciting is the fact they’re from Milwaukee, which continues to be a place where artists’ unique styles, DIY spirit and community-centered focus shine. Expect love tracks (all clean — a plus for families), dancing and plenty of positive vibes.

— Paula Lovo

How to get in free today

Freedom on the Fourth Food Drive presented by Harley-Davidson

From noon to 3 p.m., the first 5,000 patrons who donate three nonperishable food items will receive one free admission ticket, valid for the day and time of the promotion only. All food will be collected at the Mid Gate entrance. Canned fruits and vegetables are especially appreciated. All donations benefit Hunger Task Force.