MPS parents discuss potential school closures and mergers

MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee Public Schools has released an update to its long-range facilities master plan ahead of its Oct. 29 board meeting.

Some schools are at risk of merger or closure in the coming years as MPS addresses aging buildings and declining enrollment.

“If this ends, I don’t even know what our next step will be,” said MPS parent Ashley Hines.

Watch: MPS parents discuss potential school closures and mergers

‘This is going to impact us’: MPS parents discuss potential school closures and mergers

Hines has a son who attends Sherman School. This is a building that is on the list of potential closures and mergers.

“If they shut down something like this, it will affect us. It just is what it is,” Hines said.

The list is not final. These 13 schools could be at risk of merger or closure starting in 2026, according to MPS.

Cluster 1:
-Brown Street Academy
-Clarke Street Academy
-Siefert School
-Starms Discovery Learning Center

Cluster 2:
-Auer Avenue School
-Hopkins Llyod Community School
– Jackson Elementary School

Cluster 3:
-Dr. George Washington Carver Academy
– Oliver Wendell Holmes School

Cluster 4:
-Andrew S. Douglas High School
-Keefe Avenue School
-Robert M. LaFollette School

Cluster 5:
-William T. Sherman School

Parents told TMJ4’s Megan Lee they have heard conversations about potential school closures.

“It’s hard to hear that something like this is happening,” said MPS parent Denise Caldwell.

Caldwell was worried that her son’s school, Lincoln Center of the Arts, would be on the list. However, this is not the case.

According to MPS, the list of closures and mergers was based on data and community feedback.

“Some of them were related to building performance, building condition and uses, where these buildings are located throughout the city,” said MPS interim Superintendent Eduardo Galvan.

Galvan was only available before the updated plan was made public.

“We don’t want anyone to worry. These are just considerations based on preliminary data, Galvan explained.

He said the plan is not final and there may be changes when it is presented to the school board next week.

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