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Advisory Committees

Community advisory committees at Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) provide opportunities for students, families, employees, and community members to inform critical decisions that affect schools across Milwaukee.

In 2026, MPS formed two separate committees to help shape the future of the district:

  • Great Schools Committee: Focused on school facilities
  • Budget Advisory Committee: Focused on developing the district’s budget for the 2027–28 school year

The creation of these committees reflects MPS’s commitment to meaningful community involvement. The two committees operate independently and focus on distinct areas of district planning. They share a common goal of ensuring that the voices of the MPS community shape the district’s future.

Community involvement cannot be an afterthought when we are making decisions that will shape the future of Milwaukee Public Schools. Our students, families, educators and community partners bring valuable perspectives to these conversations, and we want those voices at the table. These committees will help us listen, learn and make better decisions for our schools and our district.Dr. Brenda CasselliusSuperintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools

Great Schools Committee

The Great Schools Committee will help MPS develop a vision for the facilities that students, families, and employees deserve and can expect. Guided by principles—including transparency, consistent communication, shared decision-making where possible, respect for the emotional impact of facilities decisions, and a problem-solving mindset—the committee’s work ultimately will impact the entire Milwaukee community.

The Great Schools committee will develop criteria for school closures, recommend specific schools for closure, recommend new construction to be planned, develop a community engagement plan, and address other key facilities issues. Facilitated by Interim Chief Operating Officer Mike Turza and the Department of Facilities and Maintenance Services, the committee will serve in an advisory capacity.

Final decisions remain the responsibility of the superintendent and the Milwaukee Board of School Directors. MPS administration will present the committee’s findings to the Board in November.

Meeting Schedule

The committee will meet every other week for four sessions beginning on September 14. Meetings will be open to the public, with the final 20 minutes of each meeting reserved for public comment. Most meetings will be held in person from 6 to 8 p.m.

The four scheduled meetings are:

Committee Members

The Great Schools Committee includes students, parents, community representatives, principals and administrators, and more.

Budget Advisory Committee

The Budget Advisory Committee will provide community input into the development of the district’s budget for the 2027–28 school year. Bringing together stakeholders from across the MPS community, the committee will help inform budget priorities and provide feedback on the investments and resources needed to support students, schools, and staff.

The Budget Advisory Committee is part of MPS’s broader commitment to making community engagement a meaningful part of the budget development process. By creating an opportunity for stakeholders to participate before key budget decisions are finalized, the district will be able to incorporate community perspectives into its planning and prioritization for the upcoming school year.

Meeting Schedule

The committee will meet every other week for eight sessions beginning on September 16. Meetings will be open to the public, with the final 20 minutes of each meeting reserved for public comment. An orientation for committee members was held on Wednesday, September 9, and the next five meetings will be held virtually via Zoom from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. (Use this link to join.) The final two meetings will be held in person at MPS Central Services.

  • Wednesday, September 16, 2026
  • Wednesday, September 23, 2026
  • Wednesday, September 30, 2026
  • Wednesday, October 7, 2026
  • Wednesday, October 14, 2026
  • Wednesday, October 21, 2026 (in-person meeting)
  • Wednesday, October 28, 2026 (in-person meeting)

Following the October 28 meeting, the Office of Finance will publish the recommendations agreed on by the working group and collect public comment until November 25, 2026. All recommendations and public comment will be utilized to create the district’s 2027–28 budget, which is expected to be delivered to the Milwaukee Board of School Directors in early 2027. 

Committee Members

The Budget Advisory Committee includes students, principals, community members, and more.