Milwaukee taxpayers might want to hold onto their wallets.
Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) Superintendent Dr. Brenda Cassellius has appeared on Black media shows these past few weeks talking about improving academics, upgrading aging buildings, and making major changes across Milwaukee Public Schools.
Cassellius also suggested possibly receiving some of the state’s $3 billion surplus or ANOTHER REFERENDUM!
Dr. Brenda Cassellius appeared on “The Truth with Sherwin Hughes, 101.7,” where she talked about the possibility of another referendum.
She also said that, given past finances, there was a lot of overspending, but Cassellius said the MPS finance department has now put MPS back on track and the school district is spending within its budget.
However, Milwaukee taxpayers were already asked in 2024 to approve a massive MPS referendum. Voters narrowly approved allowing the district to exceed its state-imposed revenue limit by $252 million over four years.
Just four years earlier, Milwaukee voters approved an $87 million referendum in 2020.
That means Milwaukee voters were asked for additional funding through referendums twice within four years.
Where is the accountability for these referendums?
MPS itself said it expected $47 million in new referendum revenue as part of the district’s effort to close its budget gap and balance the 2026-27 budget.
The district entered its 2026-27 budget process addressing a $46 million deficit identified in the 2024-25 budget. MPS said external auditors identified that deficit.
MPS says its 2026-27 budget reduces purchased services by $46 million, cuts 53 administrative staff positions and eliminates 53 assistant principal positions.
Are these structural changes enough to put MPS on sustainable financial footing, or will Milwaukee find itself right back in the same position of voting for another referendum?
Constantly returning to taxpayers for additional tax authority cannot become MPS’s permanent financial strategy.
At some point, Milwaukee residents need to see a long-term plan that works without another referendum being the answer every few years.
Money isn’t the only part of this conversation.
Results matter too.
Taxpayers shouldn’t simply write blank checks to MPS. They believe they are investing in the education of Milwaukee’s children.
If additional referendum dollars have produced measurable improvements inside classrooms, put those results front and center.
In fact, demanding results from MPS should be understood as demanding better for Milwaukee’s children.
Transparency should extend to the financial conversation, too.
Milwaukee needs to know what MPS believes its school system should look like in five, ten, and fifteen years.
Most importantly, how does the district plan to pay for everything without continually returning to taxpayers?
Wisconsin’s nearly $3 billion surplus will spark an enormous political fight over spending priorities once the new governor is elected. According to September reporting, the surplus is carrying forward after a proposed spending agreement failed.
Education will undoubtedly be part of the debate.
But whether money comes from Madison or directly from Milwaukee property taxpayers, it is still taxpayer money.
The debate should not simply revolve around how much additional money MPS can obtain.
It should start with what the district is doing with the money it already has.
If MPS can demonstrate academic progress, responsible financial management, and a credible long-term facilities plan, the district should make that case directly to Milwaukee residents.
MPS needs to demonstrate that the last referendum delivered what voters were promised.
Dr. Brenda Cassellius tapped danced around using the state’s surplus or asking for another referendum that affected the Black community, especially because they have the lowest resources compared to other schools outside the Black community.
Dr. Cassellius appeared on WNOV to express her thoughts on obtaining another referendum.
After two referendums in four years and with the district still working through a $46 million deficit, taxpayers need something more substantial than another request for money.
If MPS eventually comes back asking Milwaukee voters for even more money, there should be one question every taxpayer asks before touching the “yes” box:
What happened to the money we already gave you?
