Local and state leaders react to MPS superintendent resignation

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Reaction on the resignation of Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Keith Posley is coming in amid a financial mess for Wisconsin's largest school district.

Posley's resignation comes after a heated MPS school board meeting Monday night where community members expressed frustration and anger over the mismanagement of district finances. MPS is eight months behind in reporting key financial records to the state, which is posing a threat to aid for the next school year.

Some local leaders say Posley's resignation doesn’t solve all the district's problems. Dr. Posley provided brief comments after the school board accepted his resignation. He said his decision was made for himself and that he wishes students a great school year. He also said he takes responsibility.

"As the superintendent of schools, you take responsibly for everything...anything that happens is under my watch," he said.

Now, Mayor Cavalier Johnson says the focus is on moving the district forward. When asked if his office would ever consider taking a more prominent role in budget decisions within the school district, Mayor Johnson called that an extreme.

"We're talking about extremes. I think there is still space in the middle that has just not really been explored," he said.

We're also hearing from other local leaders. District 13 Alderman Scott Spiker released a lengthy statement regarding the situation.

"The problems that led to Posley's resignation are deep and systemic," he said.

Spiker called Posley an honorable man and said he served the district as best he knew how.

Alderman Spiker went on to say that Posley's resignation only puts a "band-aid on a bullet wound."

Reaction from the state level included Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Jill Underly. "No matter how the board chooses to move forward, under my leadership, DPI will continue working with the MPS team to resolve the current challenge," she said in a statement.

Mayor Johnson says over the past week, his office has had multiple conversations with MPS and DPI regarding the situation and he plans to continue those talks. "I'm going to be in the room. I'm going to be a committed partner," Mayor Johnson said.

The terms of Posley's resignation agreement were released late Tuesday afternoon. He will receive $160,000 severance pay, plus all accrued and unused vacation and personal pay. Posley also agrees not to file any action against the board and both parties agree not to disparage each other.

Until an interim superintendent is chosen, the board says Southwest Regional Superintendent Eduardo Galvan will oversee the district's day-to-day operations.