Gov. Evers, GOP lawmakers call for audits of Milwaukee Public Schools

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) - Governor Tony Evers and a top Republican are calling for audits of Milwaukee Public Schools amid financial fallout at the district. 

After Milwaukee lost their superintendent and nearly $17 million in special education funding, Gov. Evers and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu each want to conduct comprehensive audits of Milwaukee Public Schools. 

It comes in wake of MPS failing to report their audited financial data to the state, putting school funding in jeopardy for every Wisconsin school district. 

On Friday, Gov. Evers said he wants to the state to hire auditors to work with the Department of Public Instruction, the agency that's been meeting with MPS for nearly a year to get their finances in order.  

A similar audit was proposed at MPS 15 years ago, but nothing has happened since, according to the governor's office. In a press release, Evers said his proposal takes a two-pronged approach.

“I’m proposing, today, to go two steps further with two important goals: the first, to audit MPS’ programs and operations in their entirety, and the second, to audit the effectiveness of teaching and instruction of our kids in classrooms across the district," Evers said in a press release. 

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos criticized Evers' proposed audit because it would involve DPI. 

"The same failed DPI bureaucrats who allowed this to happen or his administration who wanted to dismantle the school choice system so all kids were forced into this MPS mess?" Vos said in a post on "X".

"We need real reforms to the current mentality where MPS has been protecting the bureaucracy and Gov. Evers has been advocating for shoveling hundreds of millions of dollars into this broken system."

Hours after Evers' annoucement, LaMahieu issued a statement saying he wants the Legislature's non-partisan Audit Bureau to oversee an audit of MPS. This option would take DPI out of the picture and instead have an outside entity conduct the audit, which GOP lawmakers prefer.

"The LAB is more than capable of handling this important undertaking independently and transparently, without the use of outside contractors," LeMahieu said in a statement. 

The GOP leader also asked Evers and DPI to work with the co-chairs of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee co-chairs, Sen. Eric Wimberger and Rep. Robert Wittke, to discuss the best path forward to reviewing MPS. 

Milwaukee's mayor discusses ways to get MPS back on track

After the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction announced they're withholding $16.6 million of special education aid this month from Milwaukee Public Schools, the city's mayor is speaking out about the district's financial issues.

Mayor Cavalier Johnson said he shares "frustration and disappointment" over Milwaukee Public Schools' fiscal mishandlings.

He said he does not support a mayoral takeover of the school system, but he does want more direct involvement in the superintendent search.

"We need the right person, with the administrative capabilities and the vision to get our schools and our school system back on track," Johnson said Friday.

The mayor particularly wants to be a part of the interview process for MPS' superintendent finalists and said the city can offer supportive services to the district as they address financial pitfalls.

"Clearly, Milwaukee Public Schools needs assistance, and city government is here and ready to help in providing that assistance," he said.

Some of that assistance could come from the comptroller's office. City of Milwaukee Comptroller Bill Christianson said they're offering to help with fiscal management.

"We recently spoke with leadership from the MPS Board, and they were receptive to our offer of assistance," Christianson said. "We look forward to having further discussions with the MPS leadership team about what their specific needs are."

Mayor Johnson said he supports the governor's plan for comprehensive audits.

"That's the sort of action, that's the sort of partnership that we need to improve the school system," Johnson reacted.

The mayor also said he hopes this situation inspires more community involvement and voters in school board elections.

He briefly mentioned the idea of changing the schedule of school board elections in the future to align with bigger, higher-turnout races.