State lawmakers debate bill that would require MPS to cover 75% of SRO costs

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- In Madison Wednesday, state lawmakers debated a new proposal that would dictate who pays for school resource officers at Milwaukee Public Schools.

The bill would require MPS to cover 75% of the costs for SROs and the city of Milwaukee would cover the rest. 

That's different than what a judge ordered last month, which required each to cover half of the expenses for 25 school resource officers. 

During a public hearing, Republican authors of the bill said they'd be willing to make changes to reflect the judge's order, arguing the proposal was designed to hold MPS accountable.

"I have no problem going with the judge," said State Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine). "We're mainly looking at who's responsible for not making this happen. It's not the city. It's the schools' responsibility to keep the kids safe. I have no issue with it being 50-50 if both sides agree to it, more power to you."

The bill would also include financial consequences if the city and the district fail to comply with the number of officers and the payment requirements.