MPS school closures, mergers; board to hear the consultant’s findings

article

MPS administration building

MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee Board of School Superintendents will hold a special meeting on Tuesday to discuss the issue likelihood of school closures and mergers as the state’s largest district grapples with declining school enrollment.

A Milwaukee public school consultant reviewed the condition and age of each school facility. These findings, which will outline options for possible closures and mergers, will be presented to the school board at 5:30 p.m.

SUBSCRIBE TODAY: Get daily headlines and breaking news emails from FOX6 News

MPS is still the largest school district in the state, but it is much smaller than it once was. District data shows over the last 20 years, college enrollment has declined by 32%. How budget documents show42 schools are “significantly underutilized” and 42 others are “significantly overutilized.”

“In our city, we have seen the number of students change from one school to another over the course of one, two or three years,” Galvan replied. “I guess my answer would be: Should we possibly merge some schools? I think so. When does this have to happen? It depends on the community.”

The documents also included a list of 13 schools recommended for closure/merger:

Brown Street Academy (primary school)
Clarke Street Academy (K-8)
Siefert School (primary school)
Starms Discovery Education Center (K-8)
Auer Avenue School (Primary School)
Hopkins Lloyd Community School (primary school)
Jackson Elementary School (Elementary School)
Dr. George Washington Carver Academy (K-8)
Oliver Wendell Holmes School (K-8)
Andrew S. Douglas Middle School
Keefe Avenue School (Primary School)
Robert M. LaFollette School (K-8)
William T. Sherman School (K-8)

Galvan said if MPS decides to close or merge schools, the process will likely take years.