Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS), the largest school district in Wisconsin, will not receive a part of its state funding, at least for now.
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) announced on Monday that it is withholding funds because MPS missed a required deadline to submit financial data.
The state agency said it asked Milwaukee Public Schools for specific budget and spending information as part of routine reporting that ensures schools are spending public money responsibly. However, the district failed to meet the deadline, which was May 24.
Because the district did not provide the needed information, DPI decided to hold back state payments for June. The amount of money withheld hasn’t been officially confirmed yet, but reports suggest it could be millions of dollars.
DPI said in its public statement that it is committed to making sure taxpayer dollars are used properly and that every district must follow reporting rules. The state uses this information to calculate how much aid each school district should get and to make sure schools are meeting state and federal guidelines.
Milwaukee Public Schools responded by saying they are aware of the situation and are working to fix the problem as soon as possible.
The district shared a brief message on social media and via email, stating that their new chief financial officer is reviewing the matter and will update the public once more information is available.
This funding delay could have serious effects on Milwaukee schools, especially as they prepare for summer programs and the next academic year.
MPS serves over 70,000 students and employs thousands of teachers and staff. Any pause in funding could disrupt normal operations, payroll, or educational resources.
Governor Tony Evers also weighed in on the situation, saying he is “deeply concerned” about the impact this will have on students and families in Milwaukee. Evers previously served as Wisconsin’s state superintendent of public instruction and has been a strong advocate for public education.
Some lawmakers have also expressed worry. State Senator Chris Larson said on social media that while accountability is important, the students should not suffer for what seems to be an administrative failure. He urged DPI and MPS to resolve the issue quickly and ensure that funding is restored without delay.
This situation comes at a sensitive time, as school districts across the country are dealing with budget pressures, staff shortages, and the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on education.
Milwaukee has faced financial challenges in the past, and this latest development could raise more questions about how the district is being managed. Some parents and community leaders are already demanding more transparency and better communication from the school board.
Meanwhile, the DPI says that if MPS submits the required information soon, the state can release the delayed funds quickly. But until that happens, the aid will remain on hold.
It’s not yet clear if this delay will affect the district’s long-term finances or lead to further penalties. For now, both the state and district appear to be trying to resolve the matter behind the scenes.
As of now, Milwaukee Public Schools has not given a specific timeline for when the missing information will be submitted. Parents, teachers, and students will likely be watching closely in the coming days to see how this issue unfolds.