What We Have Heard
Here's how we've engaged the MPS community
Stakeholder Surveys
~11.5k responses from students, staff, families/community members
Town Halls
Hosted 8 in-person and 4 virtual meetings
Student Focus Groups & Workshops
School-based engagement with middle and high school students
Community Events
Attended National Nights Out, Black Arts Fest MKE, HAFA's Back to School Fair, Mexican Fiesta & MPS' Run Back to School
MPS Departmental Interviews
Interviewed 20+ MPS department leadership team members
Fall 2024 Stakeholder Survey
The project team conducted an online survey to understand the factors the MPS community values most when shaping school planning strategies. A total of 3,069 responses were gathered from students, staff, families, and community members. The survey invited participants to share their perspectives on four strategy candidate groups identified by the project team.
Here is a summary of what we heard:
If MPS were to enhance its schools by making building upgrades or renovations, which factors are the most important to consider?
If MPS were to enhance its schools by adding more specialty programs, which factors are the most important to consider?
If MPS were to expand its schools by adding space through building additions, which factors are the most important to consider?
If MPS were to optimize its schools by closing or merging school buildings, which factors are the most important to consider?
Fall 2024 Student Focus Groups
The project team facilitated focus groups with MPS high school students from various schools across the district. The purpose was to share updates on the LRFMP, gather feedback on strategic priorities, and explore best practices for including and amplifying student voices in the process. Discussions centered on two key questions:
1. What are the most important factors to consider for each potential LRFMP strategy option (e.g., building investment, programmatic investment, building addition, closure/merger)?
2. How can MPS ensure that students' voices are heard and included in the decision-making process?
Here is a summary of what we heard:
Communication & Student Engagement
Surveys may have limitations; in-person engagement fosters trust and encourages open feedback from students and teachers
Communication needs to be clear and consistent, addressing issues with unclear, inconsistent, or inaccessible information
Clearly define and measure what student success means to ensure transparency in advocacy
Share updates through trusted school-based representatives, such as principals, assistant principals, or VFZ (Violence-Free Zone) staff
Actively engage students throughout the decision-making process to ensure their voices are consistently heard and valued
Engage younger students to prepare them for future participation in MPS initiatives over the next decade.
Access to Information
Improve the MPS website to make it more user-friendly and easier to navigate
Provide comprehensive school information on the website to help students and families make informed decisions (e.g., extracurricular activities, sports programs, specialized programs)
Ensure students are aware of their options when entering high school (e.g., college preparatory pathways, specialized high schools, technical education programs)
Teachers, Curriculum & Student Experience
Many students have felt the impacts of the teacher shortage, including attending in-person classes taught online by teachers from other locations
Reduce the post-pandemic reliance on self-guided learning, which doesn’t work for all learners and leaves behind those without adequate technology at home
Stable and strong leadership in schools is crucial to student success
Support teachers better with increased pay, more supplies, and additional resources
Expand student support programs, such as VFZ (Violence-Free Zone), to improve the overall student experience
Utilization & Classroom Capacities
Prioritize rightsizing classrooms to reduce the number of students per class to below 30
Engage parents as key partners in addressing under-enrollment, recognizing their role in deciding where their children attend school
Address the challenges of over-enrollment, including:
Teachers being less accessible due to the lack of dedicated spaces
Overcrowded classes where some students lack proper seating
Students unable to join certain classes because they are full
Address the challenges of under-enrollment, including:
Mixed-grade classrooms, such as combining 7th and 8th graders in the same math class
Limited course offerings, with fewer options for electives or advanced placement courses
Reduced access to resources, such as extracurricular activities and specialized programs
Programmatic Investment Strategy
Expand and invest in successful and impactful programs, such as Violence-Free Zones (VFZ), the Community Assessment and Training Program (CATP), art programs, sports programs, and student organizations like student council
Reevaluate underperforming or unpopular programs and investigate why similar programs succeed at some schools but not others (e.g., IB programs)
Ensure every school offers a variety of programs and prioritize equitable distribution across Milwaukee, particularly in underserved areas like Northside schools
Balance the focus on college preparatory programs with support for alternative pathways, recognizing that college is not the right fit for everyone
Reactivate or invest in specialty programs at underutilized schools
Building Investment Strategy
School environments impact student outcomes and better buildings support academic success and well-being
Prioritize investments in under-resourced, non-accessible, aging buildings that are in poor condition and lack air conditioning
Expand and invest in over-enrolled schools to address capacity challenges
Ensure building investments distribute resources equitably and focus on schools with the greatest needs
Plan construction projects carefully to minimize disruptions while school is in session
Closure / Merger Strategy
Prioritize high-quality education and strong teachers as key outcomes of any school closures or mergers, recognizing that teacher quality often drives school choice
Constructing a new building for school mergers is preferred over merging into an existing facility
Consolidating school buildings can enable greater investment in the remaining schools
Mergers may diminish school culture and identity, potentially undermining the uniqueness of each school
Consider the full range of challenges associated with closures or mergers, including disruptions to learning, jeopardized programs, and weakened student-teacher relationships
Explore opportunities to repurpose closed school buildings to serve the community in new ways
Academic performance should be a consideration in decisions about potential closures or mergers
Plan for the long term, accounting for potential population shifts back to the Midwest over the next 50 years due to climate change
Fall 2024 Town Halls
The project team hosted a series of town halls to share updates and gather feedback on potential LRFMP strategy options. These events, held both in-person at various schools and virtually, created opportunities for families, students, staff, and community members to share their perspectives on the proposed decision-making framework for identifying candidates for school investments, mergers, and closures.
Here is a summary of what we heard:
Transparency and Trust
Concerns and apprehension about the LRFMP decision-making process, stemming from a broader and longstanding perception of transparency issues within the district
Desire for clear communication about resource allocation and decision-making process, along with greater overall accountability
Equity in Planning
Concerns that proposed closures could disproportionately impact underserved, predominantly Black and Latinx communities
Emphasis on the need for equitable distribution of resources and investments, with particular attention to schools in Northside neighborhoods
Impact on Students and Teachers
Mergers and closures sparked potential concerns about overcrowding, reduced teacher support, and the ability of schools to maintain small and personalized learning environments
Highlighted the importance of investing in high-quality teachers and ensuring schools are equipped with adequate resources to support diverse learning needs
Specialty and Programmatic Investments
Strong support for expanding specialty programs, such as International Baccalaureate (IB) and vocational training, particularly in underserved areas
Emphasis on enhancing the quality of educational offerings as a priority before proceeding with any school closures
Building Conditions and Repurposing
Concerns about poor building conditions and lack of maintenance emphasized the need for upgrades and greater investment in infrastructure
Repurposing closed school buildings for community use, such as recreation centers or career training hubs, to maintain their value as community resources
Summer 2024 Student Workshops
The project team facilitated a series of student workshops with MPS middle and high school students from schools across Milwaukee. These workshops aimed to introduce the LRFMP and gather students' perspectives on their school buildings and experiences within these spaces. Discussions focused on how students feel about their schools, how school buildings can better support their education, and what the future of MPS schools should look like.
Here is a summary of what we heard:
Comfort and Safety
Wellness classes: Appreciation for wellness classes that empower students to learn about their bodies
Zen dens/sensory rooms: Value in having at least one calm, cozy space in schools, such as the school psychologist’s office or an art classroom
Cleanliness: Concerns about pests and a general lack of cleanliness in schools
Behavioral issues: Feelings of being unsafe at school due to regular fighting
Air conditioning: Thermal comfort has been an issue due to a lack of air conditioning and cases of excessive heating during winter months
Security presence: Concerns about insufficient security measures in schools
Bathroom conditions: Desire for clean, functioning bathrooms where students feel safe
Transportation: Avoidance of walking to school due to road and public safety concerns, even when living nearby
Academics and Student Support
Before- and after-school programming: Interest in more activities and clubs available before and after school
Classroom staff: A preference for two teaching staff per classroom to provide more individualized academic support and attention
Classroom size: Classrooms are commonly overcrowded and not big enough to accommodate all students
Tutoring: A need for more tutoring opportunities, particularly for high school students
Course variety: A preference for shorter class periods and more classes per day in middle and high school
Athletics
Gyms: High value is placed on appropriately sized and well-equipped gyms that support multiple sports, such as basketball and volleyball
Locker rooms: A strong preference for locker rooms that provide suitable spaces for changing before and after athletics
Outdoor athletic spaces: A desire for a variety of outdoor athletic facilities, including soccer and football fields, a running track, and basketball courts
School Design and Layout
Dedicated spaces: A preference for separate areas for the cafeteria, gym, and auditorium to better serve their specific purposes
Cafeterias: A need for cafeterias large enough to accommodate all students and eliminate the need for staggered lunch times
Classroom adjacencies: Importance placed on having classrooms arranged to allow quick and seamless transitions between classes
Bathroom proximity: A concern about access to bathrooms, with a desire for closer facilities to avoid traveling between floors
School Selection
Family tradition: A preference for schools attended by parents as children
Family attendance: A tendency to choose schools where siblings or cousins are currently enrolled
Family proximity: Value placed on schools close to home or family members’ residences
Specialty programming: A strong draw to schools with specialty academic programs like arts, science, or bilingual options
Sports programs: Schools with strong sports programming or team reputations influence school choice
School reputation: Perception of a school’s reputation plays a significant role in student preferences
School clubs and activities: Extracurricular programs and clubs are influential in school selection
Summer 2024 Community Events
The project team attended the National Night Out events, Black Arts Fest MKE, Mexican Fiesta, the Hmong American Friendship Association Back-to-School Fair, and the MPS Run Back to School event to connect with community members about their thoughts on MPS and tell them about the LRFMP.
Departmental Leadership Interviews
The project team conducted interviews with leaders from various MPS departments to understand specific space needs within schools, learn about their initiatives and challenges, and identify opportunities for alignment and collaboration. We spoke with staff from the Office of Academics, the Office of School Administration, Facilities and Maintenance, the Office of the Chief of Staff, Human Resources, Finance, and the Office of Communications and School Performance. Additional conversations included teams from Curriculum and Instruction, Transportation, Maintenance, Equity & Inclusion, School Nutrition Services, and Technology.
Our questions focused on both past and future needs, including:
How have your department's functions and space needs within schools evolved over the past 10 years?
What changes do you anticipate over the next decade?
How might these anticipated changes impact your physical space requirements at schools?
Spring & Summer 2024 Stakeholder Survey
The project team conducted an online survey during the spring and summer of 2024 to understand what the MPS community values most in schools, why families choose MPS, and their thoughts on current school buildings. A total of 8,587 responses were gathered from students, staff, families, and community members.
Here is a summary of what we heard:
What Our Community Values in Schools
The survey showed that different groups in the MPS community have unique priorities:
Students highly value programs such as before- and after-school activities, specialty academic programs, and access to modern technology
Staff emphasized the importance of manageable class sizes, qualified and dedicated educators, well-maintained buildings, and support services for students with special needs
Community members, including families, prioritized qualified staff, appropriate class sizes, specialty programs, and support for both students and the broader community
Physical Features of School Buildings
Respondents shared what they feel are the most important physical features of school buildings:
Everyone prioritized clean, functional restrooms and comfortably sized classrooms
Students valued modern athletic facilities and dedicated spaces for programs like music, art, and science
Staff emphasized the importance of safety and spaces that feel welcoming and inviting
Community members, including families, also highly valued safety and dedicated spaces for programs like music, art, and science
Reasons for Choosing MPS
Community members and families identified several reasons for choosing MPS and specific schools within the district. Common factors included specialty programs (e.g., arts, bilingual, college prep, STEM), a positive school culture, proximity to home, and the opportunity to attend school with friends and/or family members.
Support for Specialty Programs
There is strong support across all groups for expanding specialty programs, particularly in arts and career and technical education. Students expressed a desire for more college preparatory programs, while staff and community members prioritized the expansion of STEM programs.
School Building Quality Ratings
Respondents were asked to rate the quality of MPS’s buildings and overall maintenance on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being “needs improvement” and 10 being “excellent.”
Overall, respondents shared a mid-range rating for MPS buildings, with average scores of:
Students: 5.5
Staff: 4.3
Community Members & Families: 4.9
Improvement Priorities
When asked about areas for improvement, all groups emphasized that MPS buildings need better maintenance. Other common priorities included reducing overcrowding, expanding specialty programs, and increasing extracurricular activities.
Spring Town Hall Meetings
Spring Town Hall Meetings: Takeaways
What was appreciated about MPS?
Specialty Programming
Diversity of Students
Belief in Public Education
School Reputation
Community members highly value the specialty programming offered by MPS, such as Montessori, arts, and career & technical education programs.
MPS is valued for its diverse student body, community, and staff.
The MPS community expressed a strong belief and trust in public education.
Community members choose MPS for its outstanding schools, known for strong reputations and academic performance.
What opportunities are there for MPS?
Build trust with the MPS community
Continue to prioritize safety
What we heard: “Safety is a huge concern. How do you protect the children and the community?”
Provide clear, complete, and easily accessible information for school selection
What we heard: “There is little information for incoming parents. I relied on asking for information in Facebook groups. Everything just seemed overly complicated.”
Improve financial transparency
What we heard: “What has MPS done with the funds to improve?”
Improve ties with the MPS community
Highlight goals and positive developments within MPS
What we heard: “Help us see what all MPS is focused on and achieving.”
Facilitate greater community engagement by opening doors to the broader community
What we heard: “If parents and families are more involved, schools are better.”
Serve as a hub for community services through partnerships
What we heard: “MPS cannot do everything by themselves. They can provide better services by partnering with the community.”
Identify gaps in space and programming
Expand Early Childhood Education programming
What we heard: “Childcare is the top issue across the city that is important to improve.”
Expand before- and after-school programming and childcare
What we heard: “Kids need structure to keep them from getting into trouble outside of school… there are a real lack of opportunities.”
Introduce new green spaces and improve existing ones
What we heard: “Add more green space, which will be more inviting for the community.”
Prioritize mental health support services
What we heard: “Mental health and social emotional learning supports are important in selecting a school.”
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