MILWAUKEE — The state’s largest school district is moving ahead with its $1.6 billion final budget for 2025-26.
The Milwaukee Board of School Directors Tuesday unanimously approved Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Brenda Cassellius’s proposed final budget.
Milwaukee property taxpayers are estimated to see an increase of about $8 in taxes per $100,000 of assessed value, according to the district.
“We are delivering a budget that maximizes resources for students and schools while demonstrating fiscal prudence and responsibility to our taxpayers,” said Cassellius.
The final budget includes an increased investment in extracurricular programs for middle and high school students.
“We are continuing to prioritize what we know students need while being transparent to our staff, families and the public,” said Board President Missy Zombor. “We want to thank our neighbors across the city of Milwaukee for their continued support of our public schools.”
The approximately $1.6 billion final budget reflects these key adjustments from the preliminary budget approved in spring:
- An increase of about $20 million more in state special education funds under the new state budget, which increased the reimbursement rate for districts
- An increase of about $32 million in state aid, thanks in part to voters’ passage of the district’s 2024 referendum that helped maintain art, music, physical education and mental health supports in schools
- Reducing the district’s “vacancy adjustment” by about $22 million so that the district does not rely too heavily on vacant positions to balance the budget and better prepare the district for its 2026-27 budget
- Reducing expenses by about $11 million to align to lower enrollment, including 54 fewer full-time equivalent positions without any layoffs
- Smaller adjustments to address findings in Gov. Tony Evers’ academic and operational audits as well as the Human Resources audit conducted by the Council of the Great City Schools at MPS’s request
Cassellius noted work continues on preparing the 2026-27 budget.
