'There's going to be a void': MPS eliminates 4 trauma specialist roles

MILWAUKEE (CBS58) – After the $252 million referendum passed for Milwaukee Public Schools, MPS has decided to eliminate some of its trauma specialists in the 53206 ZIP code.

The school board director for District 4, Aisha Carr, says this is a concern.

"Those positions are so important because of the growing needs along the lines of mental health and trauma informed-based care," said Carr.

According to Carr, "District 4 is the largest district of all MPS districts, it has the most schools, it generates the most revenue, it's also the lowest performing district with the greatest disparities."

We spoke with the senior director of specialized services for Milwaukee Public Schools, Travis Pinter, who explained the decision.

"Even though the referendum passed, we still had a deficit to account for, so part of that tasked us with shifting – maintaining the services the best we could. The reason that these four were shifted in particular was because we now have more staff that can directly deliver the mental health services, which was really our ultimate goal," Pinter explained.

In 2017, the district launched the 53206 Initiative, with the goal of helping children overcome trauma and assist educators.

"There's going to be a void and I think that we, as a district, if we do not identify tangible creative solutions to secure those roles or retain those amazing professionals, we are going to cause more harm to our children," said Carr.

According to Carr, students and teachers will be impacted the most.

"These professions work around the clock to ensure our children have that support in and out of the classroom, and without that, our children have a missing piece to the puzzle," Carr explained.

However, Pinter says students should not feel that missing piece.

“Our mental health direct service providers are really doing the most intensive work with those students, and we still have eight individuals within 53206 in that trauma care role," said Pinter.

Carr does not believe it's enough.

"It's important we understand the conditions of our communities and do whatever we can to support out students and our families in the school. It's a beautiful partnership that unfortunately, in some cases, has been disrupted," said Carr.

According to MPS, the budget plan will be released next week. The school board members will vote on it in May.