Still no corrective plan in place for MPS financial crisis after 'chaotic' week

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- As of Friday, June 7, there is still no plan in place for Milwaukee Public Schools to get back on track after a turbulent week that saw the district's financial scandal break wide open.

Both MPS and the state's Department of Public instruction repeatedly said they hoped to have a corrective action plan by the end of the week.

The lack of a plan is just one of several things that were expected but not delivered on Friday. Earlier in the week, MPS leaders said they would speak with the media Friday. That also did not happen.

As the hits keep coming -and the answers don't- families are getting even more frustrated with their district.

Charlene Brown is an MPS Parent. She told us, "It's chaotic. Never would I have thought it would be like this, Milwaukee Public Schools."

Brown was eager to vent Friday about a district she said is not serving its families as it should, telling us, "Everybody is talking about this."

The chaotic week included a hectic board meeting that lasted more than eight hours, the superintendent's resignation, the withholding of millions of dollars in state aid, and the shaken confidence of countless families.

Brown said, "We don't know what's going on, we don't know what programs are going to be dropped. You're mad when people talk about how they don't want to send their kids there, then look at this."

If the district got itself into the mess, others are trying to get it out.

On Friday, Governor Evers called for a comprehensive audit of the entire district: the programs and operations, and teaching and instruction.

He acknowledged the ongoing turmoil and the community's concern, and said, "each and every one of those questions deserves honest and transparent answers."

In a statement, the MPS Board of Directors said they welcomed the audit, and the help offered by Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson.

But the statement did not address the lack of a plan to fix the crisis, and no Board members were made available on camera Friday, despite saying earlier in the week they would be.

The uncertainty is mounting.

Brown told us, "It's unfair to the parents, it's unfair to the taxpayers, it's unfair to everybody whose questions are left unanswered."

The Board's statement said, "we are all in this together," adding, "we value the spirit of urgency."

But the most recent draft plan was publicly dismissed Thursday for not having urgency, when DPI administrator Tom McCarthy said, "We made it clear we need a real plan."

A final Corrective Action Plan is the key to unlocking the millions of dollars in state aid that has already been withheld, and many millions more that is still at risk.

DPI's Friday update did not mention the status of the plan.

But State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly said the DPI and MPS are working "intensively" and "we need an all-hands-on-deck perspective."

Meanwhile, MPS Superintendent Keith Posley has not spoken publicly since he resigned early Tuesday morning.

His lack of availability -and his $160k severance payment- is a problem for many.

Brown said, "At least if you're going to get paid, just answer the questions. You're already getting paid."

On Friday we requested an interview with Superintendent Keith Posley; he'll remain in that position through the end of the month.

We also requested an interview with MPS' Chief Financial Officer Martha Kreitzman.

But MPS did not respond to those requests.