Scandal-ridden and rudderless, Milwaukee Public Schools has yet to begin search for permanent superintendent

Facing continued abysmal student academic scores, the loss of federal Head Start funds, and the emergence of a financial scandal that will force the district to repay tens of millions of dollars in state aid, Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent Keith Posley tendered his resignation in the pre-dawn hours of June 4, 2024.

Forty two days later, the MPS Board has concluded their interviews of three candidates for the position of Interim Superintendent.

If a candidate is selected for, and accepts, the Interim position their appointment and compensation will be formalized by the School Board at a future board meeting.

The Milwaukee Board of School Directors say they hope to have an Interim Superintendent in place before the beginning of the school year, which begins on August 28th — 86 days after Posley’s resignation.

The Board agreed to let Posley remain employed for nearly a month after submitting his resignation and gave him a $160,000 severance payment. As part of the settlement, the school board and Posley agreed not to disparage each other. Southwest Regional Superintendent Eduardo Galvan, part of Posley’s administration, has been serving as Acting Superintendent since June 17th.

Filling a gap with an Acting Superintendent for three months, then and Interim Superintendent will take the reins. When will the Board hire a permanent replacement? They haven’t yet begun the search.

According to a statement released by the MPS Board, “The Board intends to engage a firm to lead a robust national search for a permanent superintendent. The district will seek input from the community and other MPS stakeholders.”

Governor Evers says he’s going to wait for the results of his Administration’s audits before suggesting any changes in how MPS is governed. However, those audits, one fiscal and one reviewing the overall performance of the district, have also not yet begun.

There are no announced deadlines for the Evers audits to begin or conclude. Last month, the governor announced he had solicited bids from nine firms, which had until June 24 to submit proposals. Those proposals are currently being reviewed by the Department of Administration.