UPDATE at 3:00 p.m. on 8/25/2025: Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Brenda Cassellius joined Wisconsin’s Midday News to talk about her priorities for this first year as the leader of Wisconsin’s largest school district.
MILWAUKEE— Milwaukee Public Schools are gearing up for the start of the school year, tackling a summer of challenges including aging buildings, lead paint abatement, and flood damage.
Superintendent Dr. Brenda Cassellius said the district oversees 156 schools, with an average building age of 89 years- with the national average being 49.
“We had about 106 that we are abating with lead. So anticipating getting through 50 of those before the school year and then toward the end of the school year we’ll have all 106 done and cleared. We had 22 that were impacted by the floods. So it’s not been without challenge this summer, not only temperatures, but also the big flood, and working through that,” Dr. Cassellius says.
Mayor Cavalier Johnson joined the cleanup at Auer Avenue School, giving the school a hand at preparing for the upcoming school year. His goal alongside MPS is to create a safe and appropriate environment for the students and teachers to return to the schools.
“This has been a long, long running partnership between the city and Milwaukee Public Schools,” Mayor Johnson said. “From day number one, she’s taken this very seriously. My administration has taken it very seriously. The health department in my administration, has taken it very, very seriously. We’ve worked to make sure that schools are prepared for kids on day number one. So folks should make sure that they send their kids to school on the first day in Milwaukee Public Schools, which is next week, Tuesday, September 2nd. And we’re so excited to welcome our kids back to classrooms.”
Lead and Flood Repairs
The district has completed work in roughly half of the schools needing lead abatement and expects to finish all 106 by the end of the school year.
Dr. Cassellius mentioned that the flood repairs will be finished around the start of the school year.
Deputy Commissioner of Health Michael Mannan emphasized the district’s approach.
“The Health Department’s worked with both the Mayor’s office and MPS to really target and prioritize the most critical schools,” Mannan said. “The youngest kids first, the most old deteriorated schools first. As we’ve done this, we’ve been really wise in it so that we handle the biggest problem over the summer with the least amount of impact to teachers and to parents. Our work isn’t done. We still have more schools to do. The good news is the biggest hurdle, the hardest part is done and now the rest of the work is a lot easier.”
Looking Ahead
Dr. Cassellius said the district is also focused on academic achievement and operational improvements this year. A new literacy plan will go before the school board before the school year to ensure students are reading at grade level.
With repairs underway and classrooms being prepared, MPS leaders say they are ready to welcome students back on September 2.
