MPS delay on hiring officers could cost them state funding, GOP leader says

 

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee Public Schools could face financial consequences after the district failed to hire school resource officers.

It's been nearly a year since a new law took effect requiring MPS to deploy 25 police officers, but the district has yet to comply.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) told CBS 58 that delay could cost MPS state funding in the 2025-2027 state budget.

"It's going to be hard to give increases for school districts like Milwaukee if they don’t follow the law," Vos said. "This was a pretty clear-cut decision that was made that was part of the shared revenue deal."

The shared revenue deal allowed the City of Milwaukee to impose an additional 2% sales tax to help fund critical services such as police, fire, and EMS. In exchange, the GOP-controlled Legislature required the state's largest school district to reinstate school resource officers.

MPS and the city officials have both argued they shouldn't have to foot the bill for SROs, which are estimated to cost up to $2 million.

In October, the district was sued by the conservative law firm Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty for not enforcing the state mandated SRO requirement.

Democratic Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer fears MPS could face financial consequences when lawmakers craft the next two-year spending plans.

"They might try and do that," Neubauer said. "But what we're really talking about is the future we are preparing for our young people, and I hope we're not punitive."

State Sen. John Jagler (R-Watertown), who chairs the state Senate's education committee, has previously said he'd consider pushing to revoke some of the city's shared state revenue if MPS doesn't reinstate officers.

School Safety Debate

The issue of school resource officers has increasingly received more attention in wake of Madison's deadly shooting at Abundant Life Christian School.

Speaker Vos urged all schools to hire a school safety officer after police say a 15-year-old girl opened fire at Abundant Life, killing two and injuring several others.

The school does not have metal detectors or a school resource office, but Vos believes that extra layer of security could prevent future tragedies.

"In light of what we saw with this unfortunate school shooting in Dane County, I think it's a good reminder school resource officers are something every school should consider," Vos said.

Two years ago, GOP lawmakers proposed legislation requiring certain schools to hire armed officers if the district makes frequent calls to police.

The bill could be reintroduced next year, but Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) cast doubts on the proposal.

"I don't know if [a school officer] would've made a difference here," LeMahieu said. "We don't know all the facts yet. I think especially in larger schools, with multiple entrances and things like that, I think they are beneficial."

Some Democrats are interested in reconsidering legislation regarding SROs. Madison Rep. Shelia Stubbs, whose district covers Abundant Life School, said school safety will be a top priority for her next year.

"It's an issue that needs to be revisited," Stubbs said. "I will be the strongest advocate in my district for common sense legislation around security."