Despite update, still no timetable for when state-mandated SROs will return to MPS schools

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- At a board meeting Thursday, Feb. 29, the Milwaukee Public Schools superintendent shared new information about the ongoing plans to return MPD officers to MPS schools.

That state-mandated process was supposed to be in place at the start of 2024, but no timetable was shared for when it may be ready.

MPS Superintendent Dr. Keith Posley did not share a target date for when they might be ready, but he did reveal some concerns students are sharing.

At the meeting, Posley said, "The students have expressed concern of how this would better work."

The brief update provided the first new information in months on the state requirement to return MPD officers to schools.

Posley said the district is still working to understand the requirements and obligations of Act 12, and they're still gathering information from and meeting with student and community groups.

Board member Erika Siemsen said she was, "Very happy to hear the involvement that the student groups have been playing in creating this plan."

When Governor Evers signed Act 12 into law last June, it allowed the city of Milwaukee to raise its sales tax.

But one of the provisions required uniformed MPD officers to return to MPS schools. They have not been in MPS schools since 2020, when the board chose not to renew its contract with MPD.

Posley said the goal is to now redefine the role of a student resource officer, but many students and community groups have concerns.

The district has already gotten a lot of feedback and suggestions, especially from students.

Posley said, "One of the things that just came to mind is the idea of the location of the officers. Are they housed inside the school? And things of that nature."

And Posley said that desire for feedback is intentional: they want students to be part of the process.

Students have shared three main concerns so far.

The first, according to Matthew Boswell, the Sr. Director of the Department of Student Services, is, "Their expectation is that any SRO officer or program that is brought into the district must have appropriate training."

Secondly, they want the officers to build meaningful relationships once they're in schools.

And students want the SROs to come from their community.

MPD has not been forthcoming with information on the SRO plan so far.

Representatives from the department were not at Thursday's meeting.

And when we asked for details about MPD's planning process, we got a two-line statement that was devoid of specifics.

The statement read in part, "MPD anticipates a collaborative positive partnership with MPS and its students." It was the same statement we were given in December.

Posley was not available for questions after the meeting, so we still don't know the target date for implementing this plan.

But MPS is still gathering information. Another meeting is scheduled for next week with stakeholder groups.