(The Center Square) – Milwaukee Public Schools are going to lose state money, again.
The state’s Department of Public Instruction on Tuesday confirmed that it will withhold money because the district missed the end-of-May deadline to turn in last year’s financial report.
“Withholding funding is a last resort and comes after countless hours spent supporting MPS,” Deputy State Superintendent Tom McCarthy said in a statement. ”Meeting key deadlines is critical to ensure the DPI can accurately and efficiently calculate general aid estimates for school districts across Wisconsin.”
It is unclear how much money is to be withheld; the state anticipates an announcement later in the week. Last year’s missed deadline by the district cost more than $16 million.
The news came on the same day as the district debuted its budget for the 2025-26 school year.
That budget tops $1.5 billion. It would append nearly $23,000 per student, and leave Milwaukee Public Schools with a $22 million deficit that’s expected to hit $145 million by 2030.
McCarthy said the state has “seen real progress in recent months” from the Milwaukee district, and said the state “recognizes and appreciates the hard work that has gone into those efforts.”
McCarthy said the district must suffer some consequences.
