Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee School Board approves $1.5 billion budget amid accounting crisis

Published

4 days ago

June 13, 2024

Milwaukee School Board approves $1.5 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

7 Members Of Congress DEBUNK Claim Trump Disparaged Milwaukee As A 'Horrible City'

Published

5 hours ago

June 18, 2024

Press Room

7 Members Of Congress DEBUNK Claim Trump Disparaged Milwaukee As A 'Horrible City'

Seven members of Congress have debunked the misleading media claim that former President Donald Trump supposedly called Milwaukee a “horrible city” during a closed-door meeting with members of the U.S. House. We round up their comments below.

“I was in the meeting. President Trump never disparaged Milwaukee. Just another Democrat hoax,” U.S. Rep. Jim Banks of Indiana wrote.

I was in the meeting. President Trump never disparaged Milwaukee.
Just another Democrat hoax.
— Jim Banks (@Jim_Banks) June 13, 2024
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The claim first originated from a reporter for a Washington D.C. area site called Punchbowl News and ricocheted throughout the media, sending Democrats rushing to their keyboards to post their sputtering outrage on social media. The Punchbowl News reporter claimed Trump said, “Milwaukee, where we are having our convention, is a horrible city.”

The only problem is that the claim is misleading at best, completely lacking context. Members of Congress who were actually in the closed-door meeting, which was not open to the press, said that Trump did not disparage or insult Milwaukee, where the upcoming Republican National Convention will be held. Rather, they say he was expressing specific and legitimate concerns about election integrity and crime, not trashing the city as a whole.

You cannot make this up. @fox6now was interviewing people in Milwaukee about Trump’s supposed comments.
They throw it back to the studio. The next story:
“Well, a man was shot and killed in Milwaukee…” pic.twitter.com/dFbEqLZA6d
— Brooks (@EBrooksUncut) June 15, 2024
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Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung wrote on X that Trump “was talking about how terrible crime and voter fraud are.”

That didn’t stop the liberal myth from being endlessly perpetuated, with Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers saying, “We know he said that. He’s the biggest con we’ve seen, and he’ll continue to do that.”

Apparently, Evers has decided to ignore the seven members of Congress who say that, actually, it’s not that simple.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and other media outlets reported as a fact that Trump made the “horrible city” comment, even dropping the attribution – that the claim came from a single reporter for Punchbowl News. Other news outlets were careful to only say that Trump used the word “horrible” when discussing Milwaukee.

It’s astonishing that @journalsentinel is STILL reporting Trump said this, as if it’s a fact, without attribution, when it’s disputed whether he said exactly this and in what context. Bad journalism. pic.twitter.com/1fHlilM4tU
— Wisconsin Right Now (@wisconsin_now) June 14, 2024
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“That odor that’s in the air right now is the stench of desperation from Democrats who are grasping at straws to salvage Joe Biden’s failing re-elect bid. Instead of pouncing on yet another fake news hit on President Trump, Biden and Democrats ought to spend their time and energy doing something about their horrendous record on inflation, crime, and immigration– the real issues driving Americans to the polls this November, said RNC Spokesman Kush Desai.

Milwaukee has a host of problems, from recent years of record homicide numbers to a reckless driving epidemic. Milwaukee Public Schools is in a fiscal meltdown, and the city begged to raise its sales tax to prevent bankruptcy.

Here is a round-up of comments from the members of Congress who are debunking the claim:

Rep. Claudia Tenney (NY-24)

President Trump was responding directly to my question about the lack of ELECTION INTEGRITY by election officials in certain US cities including Milwaukee. President Trump made no derogatory remarks about the great citizens and communities in those cities.
Much like New… https://t.co/f4J8h5KZpT
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— Claudia Tenney (@claudiatenney) June 13, 2024

“President Trump was responding directly to my question about the lack of ELECTION INTEGRITY by election officials in certain US cities including Milwaukee. President Trump made no derogatory remarks about the great citizens and communities in those cities.

Much like New Yorkers, Wisconsinites are fed up with violent crime and rampant voter fraud.

Democrats know the voters are on our side, so they’re trying to twist President Trump’s words.”

Rep. Bryan Steil (WI-01)

I was in the room. President Trump did not say this. There is no better place than Wisconsin in July. https://t.co/MJUpqyAt4G
— Bryan Steil (@RepBryanSteil) June 13, 2024

“I was in the room. President Trump did not say this. There is no better place than Wisconsin in July.”

Steil also said to WISN-TV, “He wasn’t talking about the city. He was talking about specific issues in the city. I think it was horrible that a 9-year-old boy was killed on the north side of Milwaukee yesterday. We’ve had challenges in the city as it relates to the public school system.”

Rep. Glenn Grothman (WI-06)

“Well, he said nothing that I considered an insult to Milwaukee,” Grothman told The Hill.

“He made it clear we had to do better in Milwaukee, as we have to do in many of the big cities in the northern United States. But having been born in Milwaukee raised right north of Milwaukee, there was nothing I found offensive. I think you had, like always, some mainstream media personalities, who like to think of an excuse to drag down President Trump, and that’s not true.”

“He said nothing that I consider to be a criticism of Milwaukee, other than that we’ve got to get more of them to be voting Republican in the future.”

Grothman said Trump spoke for an hour and told The Hill that it’s too bad he couldn’t speak “without having a devious reporter mischaracterizing what you say. And that’s what happened here.”

Grothman made similar comments in an interview with Wisconsin Right Now.

He told WRN that Trump said he “felt we have to do better in big northern cities. He mentioned Milwaukee.” He said that Trump was referring to the GOP winning elections and said something to the effect that “our performance has to improve, which everyone knows. For us to win Wisconsin, we have to do better in Milwaukee and Madison.”

He said that Trump was meeting with Republican congressmen to “give us a pep talk.” Grothman said it went “fantastically well. Everyone was enthralled. Trump is always great in private and in public.” He said that Donald Trump “said we have to do better in Milwaukee.”

Asked what specific words Trump used, and whether he used the words “horrible city,” Grothman said that it was a 70-minute speech, and he doesn’t remember every word Trump said in it but that he doesn’t believe Trump “said anything derogatory about Milwaukee,” other than referring to the problems the GOP has in winning elections there.

Rep. Tom Tiffany (WI-07)

Tiffany told ABC News that he never heard Trump use the phrase “horrible city.”

“What I heard is to make sure there’s election integrity in Milwaukee,” Tiffany told ABC. “He’s talking about the states that are in play and the states of greatest importance and Wisconsin is top of the list.”

Rep. Derrick Van Orden (WI-03)

Another classic example of shitty reporting by a Democratic Party shill pretending to be a journalist.
Lies busy omission. @realDonaldTrump was specifically referring to the crime the CRIME RATE in Milwaukee. https://t.co/lOB06vBD5e pic.twitter.com/UpL3HYMyJy
— Derrick Van Orden (@derrickvanorden) June 13, 2024

“Another classic example of sh*tty reporting by a Democratic Party shill pretending to be a journalist.” He said that the claim was “lies” through “omission,” and added that Trump “was specifically referring to” the “CRIME RATE in Milwaukee.”

Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05)

“What he was talking about was the elections in Milwaukee. They’re concerned about them.”
Rep. Scott Fitzgerald says Trump’s Milwaukee ‘horrible’ comments came after an election question and says Trump said there are 19 places the campaign is concerned with including Milwaukee pic.twitter.com/3D8QwulAnN
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— Matt Smith (@mattsmith_news) June 13, 2024

“Congresswoman Claudia Tenney from New York raised her hand and asked a question that related to elections and election integrity,” Fitzgerald said to WISN. “And the president began to answer by saying that there are 19 specific places throughout the nation that they’re very concerned about. And one of the places that he was concerned about was the city of Milwaukee. And so that’s that’s where the comment came from.”

Rep. Jim Banks (IN-03)

I was in the meeting. President Trump never disparaged Milwaukee.
Just another Democrat hoax.
— Jim Banks (@Jim_Banks) June 13, 2024
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“I was in the meeting. President Trump never disparaged Milwaukee. Just another Democrat hoax.”

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Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee teenage homicide victims were best friends, classmates at St. Anthony

Published

12 hours ago

June 17, 2024

Press Room

Milwaukee teenage homicide victims were best friends, classmates at St. Anthony

Diego Herrera-Mejia and Isaac Rodriguez first met in middle school. Within three years, the two had become best friends. They were starting summer vacation, set to begin their sophomore year together in the fall at St. Anthony High School on Milwaukee’s south side.

Herrara-Mejia, 16, and Rodriguez, 15, both died Saturday following a shooting around 8 p.m. near on the 800 block of West Manitoba Street, between Eighth and Ninth streets. Rodriguez was pronounced dead at the scene and Herrara-Mejia died later Saturday night at a local hospital, according to the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office.

A 14-year-old also sustained a non-fatal injury.

“They both were easy going. They both had a lot of friends,” said Rodrigo Herrara-Mejia, 22, Diego’s older brother.

There have been 10 homicides and 28 non-fatal shootings involving those 17 and younger so far this year, according to the Milwaukee Police Department.

Rodrigo stopped by memorials for his brother and Rodriguez on Monday afternoon on his way to help other family members prepare for the funeral service. Prayer candles, balloons, photos, handwritten messages and photos were set up for each teenager.

“My brother was a good, kind soul. That’s the best way to describe him,” he said, adding his brother played on St. Anthony’s basketball team.

He said the families were close, both living in the community where the two were shot. Rodrigo said Rodriguez was often at his family’s house.

“He was always respectful. He was a good kid,” Rodrigo said. “They were both good kids.”

Rodrigo said the two teenagers were walking with a few friends and cousins on West Manitoba Street when “some guys on a scooter” came up to them. The guys on the scooter provoked them, he said. No arrests have been made.

Anyone with information can contact Milwaukee Police at 414-935-7360, to remain anonymous call Crime Stoppers at 414-224-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip through the P3 app.

Jessica Van Egeren is a reporter with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She can be reached at jvanegeren@gannett.com.

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Milwaukee, WI

1 Last name could solve several problems for the Milwaukee Bucks this off-season

Published

19 hours ago

June 17, 2024

Press Room

1 Last name could solve several problems for the Milwaukee Bucks this off-season

It’s almost time for the Milwaukee Bucks to begin retooling their roster.

Whether it’s through trade, free agency or the draft, the team will have options to patch some of their significant holes. As talked about ad nauseam, their prominent needs include athleticism, youth and defense above all else. To inject those attributes into this roster, there is a common last name shared between two players who should be on Milwaukee’s radar: Dunn.

Kris Dunn and Ryan Dunn are two incredibly different players, but they could both help the Bucks.

Kris Dunn, who is 30 and an eight-year NBA veteran, just had a bit of a resurgence with the Utah Jazz this past season after bouncing around over the prior few years. Playing 66 contests, the most since his rookie campaign, Dunn gave the Jazz excellent defense, facilitating and perimeter shooting.

If the Milwaukee Bucks lose Patrick Beverley, which remains a legitimate possibility, they will need a replacement in the backcourt, and Dunn would fit in perfectly. Dunn is among the more underrated defenders at the guard position in the entire NBA, having flirted with All-Defensive selections in recent years.

He could instantly slide into the backup point guard role behind Damian Lillard, allowing the star to catch his breath when called upon. If the Bucks could snag him on a “prove-it deal” as they did with Malik Beasley last off-season, allowing the guard to showcase his skills on a contender in hopes of earning a raise the following off-season, this could be a great move for Milwaukee.

According to Yahoo Sports NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Bucks actually did do homework on Dunn before the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline, so they are familiar with what he brings. That interest should be reignited this off-season if they are in the market for a new defensive-minded point guard who can also make plays on the offensive end.

As for Ryan Dunn, he just finished up a two-year collegiate career at Virginia and will now wait to hear his name called in the upcoming 2024 NBA Draft. The Bucks have worked out the power forward in recent days, and understandably so, as there’s a lot to like about what he could bring to this roster.

The 6-foot-8 forward/guard is among the best defenders in this draft, boasting impressive athleticism and versatility that make him a nightmare for opponents. This past season at Virginia, he averaged an astounding 2.3 blocks and 1.3 steals per matchup, constantly making eye-popping plays. Could the Milwaukee Bucks use a player like this? Absolutely.

The 21-year-old would give Milwaukee the defensive playmaker they have been desperately seeking, taking on players of all shapes and sizes. Due to his height, length and athleticism, it would be much more difficult for opponents to target him, something opposing players have done constantly with Milwaukee’s shorter, more unathletic wing defenders in recent memory.

Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jimmy Butler and other top-notch forwards will not be going anywhere anytime soon, and the Bucks need to find their answer defensively. At 21, it might take time for Dunn to grow into the role, but he has all of the physical tools to thrive.

Despite being arguably the best defender in the entire draft, the big reason some are scared off by Dunn is his offense. He averaged 8.1 points while shooting 20 percent from three and 53.2 percent from the free throw line this past season. Those numbers are certainly nothing to write home about, as he doesn’t have much of a repertoire on that side of the floor.

Yet, on a team with electric scorers like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton, offense shouldn’t be Milwaukee’s primary concern. If they can land an elite defensive playmaker who doesn’t make much of an impact offensively, that’s a solid trade-off, given the team’s major needs on defense.

There’s a lot to like about what both Kris Dunn and Ryan Dunn could bring to the table in Milwaukee, and it all starts on the defensive side of the ball. They could knock out several items on the to-do list, including adding more youth, defense and athleticism, among many other eye-catching things.

Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.

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