MPS students canvas neighborhoods for referendum support

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) — The spring election is just days away and Milwaukee Public School students are canvassing neighborhoods to gain support for the MPS referendum.

The school district is asking for more than $250 million which they say is needed to prevent tough cuts due to lack of state funding.

Leaders Igniting Transformation (LIT) led the canvassing efforts Saturday. Zoe Chambers, Golda Meir High School student was there to support. “I came out today to canvas with LIT to remind people to vote and most importantly remind people to vote yes on the MPS referendum,” she said.

School officials and students have been advocating for the passage of the referendum for months. The additional funds would come from an increase in property taxes.

Students say they want the community to support them. "I think it's important for people to vote yes for the MPS referendum because MPS is desperately in need for money. For example, for teacher pay to increase....to have better facilities, better books, better music classes, better theater classes,” said Chambers.

Nathaniel Jones, Audubon Tech student was also there to help canvas.

"We came out here to speak upon things that MPS doesn't speak about and go to places where other people wouldn't go,” he said.

Students say they felt it was important to come out and speak to people personally. “I think it’s important for students to physically come out and canvas because the adults like hearing from us. The people who are inside MPS dealing with things on a day-to-day basis,” said Chambers.