As MPS faces a $46 million budget gap for the 2026–27 school year, the district continues to look for cost savings to develop a balanced budget. On March 6, Superintendent Brenda Cassellius announced a proposal to reduce about 260 nonclassroom positions and shift resources from Central Services to schools. No classroom teacher positions are included in the reductions.

The reductions would take effect on July 1, the first day of the district’s 2026–27 fiscal year. Pending approval by the Milwaukee Board of School Directors, this strategy would save about $30 million. About 40 of the 263 positions being eliminated are already vacant, meaning that not all reductions will result in layoffs. Affected employees eligible for classroom-based roles will be encouraged to apply for available positions. 

“Protecting classrooms and supporting high‑quality instruction remains our top priority throughout this budget process,” said Dr. Cassellius. “These changes will be hard, but by reducing positions outside the classroom amid our budget challenges, we can put more resources where they matter most: in the classroom.” 

Recently completed financial audits confirmed a structural deficit in the district, including a $46 million gap at the end of last school year. A separate Human Resources audit, conducted at the district’s request by the Council of the Great City Schools, found that MPS has one Central Services employee for every 138 students, compared to the average of 166 students per central office employee across large urban districts nationwide. The district is implementing a multi‑year plan to eliminate the budget gap and rebalance staffing. A soft hiring freeze of non-classroom positions and a review of contracts during the current school year is expected to save $5 million.

Central Services Changes

Position reductions have been broken down into two main areas. At Central Services, about 116 positions will be eliminated from the Offices of Academics; Communications; Family, Community and Partnership; Finance; Human Resources; Operations; Office of Schools; and the Superintendent’s office. About 147 nonclassroom school‑based roles include assistant principals, deans of students, and implementers.
 
MPS will also establish a unified department for student support and belonging that will consolidate the Departments of Black and Latino Male Achievement; Gender and Identity Inclusion; Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS); and Restorative Practices. Some of these areas were expanded using federal COVID-19 relief funds, but those funds are no longer available. This new team will design districtwide professional development and school-based strategies to continue this work via existing school-based counselors, nurses, psychologists, social workers, and other channels.

Continued Investment

Despite budget constraints, the district is proposing to maintain key investments in its workforce, including:

• Establish steps and lanes that reward longevity and advanced education (approximate cost of $10 million) 
• Maintain the current employee healthcare plan design 
• Transition principals to 12‑month contracts to make sure schools are fully staffed in fall, provide more professional development, and better support Summer Academy.

Superintendent Cassellius has emphasized that, like all districts statewide, MPS faces rising costs while receiving a $0 state increase in general aid for 2026–27 public school students, despite a $2.4 billion state government surplus. The MPS referendum, generously supported by Milwaukee taxpayers in 2024, has helped to bridge this gap and continues to support arts, physical education, mental health services, and career exploration. It does not cover the absence of state-funded inflation increases over the past two decades. 

“While these decisions are difficult, they put MPS on a stronger long‑term foundation,” Superintendent Cassellius said. “We are restoring our fiscal health, protecting classrooms, and strengthening the education experience for all MPS students.” 

The district continues to bargain in good faith with its union partners. If the process does not achieve savings, additional strategies may be needed to reduce the budget gap.  

Families, staff, and community members can share their thoughts at a special meeting of the Milwaukee Board of School Directors on Monday, March 9, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. Board meetings take place at MPS Central Services, located at 5225 W. Vliet St. Find out how to make your comments by visiting the Upcoming Meetings page of the Milwaukee Board of School Directors.