Proposed MPS staggered cost of living adjustment faces backlash

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Thursday night, the superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools delivered the budget proposal to the Board of Education, however, it comes with a steep budget deficit, hundreds of position cuts and a contentious labor negotiation. 

MPS's budget mismanagement started years ago under a different regime that will take years to dig out of. 

"It's ok to be afraid when we learn about a huge deficit. It's something none of us can ignore," said MPS parent Elise Chay. 

It's a $46 million problem that's straining the budget, relationships and emotions. 

Thursday's $1.6 billion budget is Dr. Brenda Cassellius's next effort to dig out a devastating hole that was dug years ago. 

“We’re feeling really good about the auditing side, it’s the budget side we’re cleaning up now. Making sure we’re budgeting appropriately," said Cassellius. 

But the cost of everything right now dominated public comment. 

“People are going to be running on fumes. They are running on fumes already," said MPS alum El Mitchell. 

Cassellius is proposing a staggered cost of living adjustment (COLA): 1.5% in July then another 1.13% next January. 

“We actually have to pay our bills, too. Just like everybody else. We see rising costs like everybody else," said Cassellius. 

She cited increased costs for district health care, energy, transportation and nutrition programs, but speakers said they needed the full 2.63% COLA on July 1st. 

At this point, if I don’t get a full Cost of Living, I don’t know if I can afford to come back to MPS next school year," said MPS school nurse Kristine Scott. 

The exact budget numbers won't be known until October, when the state finalizes how much aid money is going out.