MPS Head Start funding suspended over 3 infractions

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The federal government is suspending its funding for a free pre-school program Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) operates for low-income families.

MPS Superintendent Keith Posley confirmed in an interview Friday the district learned one day earlier the federal Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is suspending MPS' Head Start funding for 30 days.

Thursday night, CBS 58 obtained a copy of the letter MPS sent to its Head Start principals. It said the district's federal Head Start aid will be suspended 30 days, effective May 21.

The letter cited "three program deficiencies that occurred between June 2022 and May 2024." It did not specify the nature of the infractions and Posley did not offer details about what prompted the federal response.

CBS 58 left multiple messages with the ACF's communications office in Washington, D.C. Friday, but the agency did not respond. CBS 58 also asked MPS communications staff for additional details about what prompted the suspension but did not get a response as of late Friday afternoon.

Posley said Friday morning the district was working to correct the issues.

"We got a notice of infractions that we are working- we have a plan in place," Posley said. "We are working with that plan, and we are going to continue to work with that plan, and we will be successful with that plan."

In the letter to principles, MPS said the suspension will not affect any of the remaining Head Start schedules or activities this school year, which follow the MPS district calendar. 

MPS operates Head Start in 37 of the district's schools. The free pre-school for K3 and K4 is limited to low-income families; For a family of four, the income limit is $31,200. The program is available in English and English/Spanish bilingual formats.