Milwaukee Public Schools officials are hailing a deal with the state’s top education official that will ensure he does not withhold federal funds from the district.
However, conservatives are complaining Department of Public Instruction Superintendent Tony Evers is letting MPS off the hook by backing down on his threat to withhold the $175 million in federal funds.
Evers filed notice in February of his authority to withhold the money from MPS, calling it his only tool under state law to compel the district to make changes. Under the new agreement with the Milwaukee Board of School Directors, MPS acknowledges that authority while DPI will implement a one-year grace period against withholding the funding.
Evers said in a statement that the district was making progress on its corrective action plan.
“Over the last several months, MPS has made efforts to resolve compliance issues around the state’s corrective action requirements," Evers said in a statement released late Monday afternoon. "It is important right now to support incoming superintendent, Dr. Gregory Thornton, on addressing needed reforms and community building to increase achievement for MPS students.”
See the press release: http://wispolitics.com/1006/100524_DPI_MPS_agreement.pdf.
– WisPolitics
