Sen. Larson reacts to the resignation of MPS Superintendent Keith Posley

Contact: Senator Chris Larson
T: (608) 266-7505
E: justin.bielinski@legis.wisconsin.gov 

June 4, 2024

~~~FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE~~~

Milwaukee, WI - "As an MPS parent, I am very invested in the future of our district. The mistakes made under Superintendent Posley’s watch are unacceptable, and I support the Board’s decision to listen to the public and seek new leadership. I have confidence that they have been working hard to resolve this problem since they were first made aware of it 12 days ago.

"I reject the irresponsible and frantic conjecture by some elected officials and talking heads who have their own agenda. It is critical that we maintain our democratic checks and balances and soundly reject any attempted takeover, dissection, or further attacks on our kids’ schools, both here in Milwaukee and across the state.

"We must never lose sight of the goal of providing a quality, tuition-free public education for every child in a system where parents and the public have a say. That right is guaranteed by our state’s constitution.

"For too long, school districts across the state have had to make do with too few resources. In 2011, we saw the largest cut to public education in state history. 13 years later, school funding from the state has still not kept pace with inflation or made up for those cuts. In the meantime, we’ve seen billions in giveaways to FoxConn, the Man/Ag tax credit, and the Brewers, while our kids in public schools fight for scraps. While voucher schools that can legally discriminate are reimbursed 90% for special education, public schools get a meager 33%.

"There are Republicans in our legislature who are jubilant each time a public school stumbles, and are already using this crisis as an excuse to cut funding once again for public education in Wisconsin while expanding the network of unaccountable, taxpayer-funded private schools even further.

"Those who have undermined our kids for decades need to first work to restore the cuts they delivered and reverse the damage they’ve done before they can earn a seat at the table as our community builds forward.

"If we want Wisconsin to succeed, there is no scenario where we allow ourselves to give up on any of our kids."

###