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Rotary Club of Milwaukee
Membership Meeting
Darienne B. Driver, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
March 31, 2015
Who We Are
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77,391 students
158 schools
9,000 employees
$1.1 billion budget
Improving Student Outcomes
• Commitment Schools Initiative
o Transforming 14 underperforming schools into highperforming schools through rigorous and academic
and behavioral changes
o Outcome: Most K-8 grades are narrowing reading and
math achievement gaps. High school results will be
released in spring
Improving Student Outcomes
• 5-in1 Collaborative
o Creating unique effort with major partners – Northwestern
Mutual, City Year Milwaukee, Teach for America and
Schools That Can Milwaukee – to pursue excellence at
Carver Academy
o Outcome: Attendance, behavior and learning are improving
• Community Schools Partnership with United Way
o Partnering to support community school coordinators at
Auer, Bradley Tech and James Madison Academic Campus
o Outcome: Coordinators link schools and community to
improve student achievement and school-community
climate
Strategic Objectives
• Aligned to MPS Strategic Plan
• Supported through MPS budget process
Regional Development
• Increase number of high-performing seats
• Improve capacity for quality community support
activities
Strategic Objectives
Goal I:
Academic Achievement
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Closing the Gap
Educating the Whole Child
Redefining the MPS Experience
Rethinking High Schools
Strategic Objectives
Goal II:
Student, Family and Community
Engagement
5. Re-envisioning Partnerships
6. Communication & Outreach
Strategic Objectives
Goal III:
Efficient and Effective Operations
7. Workforce Development
8. Organizational Processes
Regional Development
Pathways Plan
• Increase number of high-performing seats
• Re-establish feeder patterns
Action: Fernwood Montessori expansion; Maryland
Ave. Montessori addition; Rufus King Middle Years
facility; Expansion of Milwaukee Spanish Immersion;
Charter School Expansion (Lee School)
Regional Development
Spotlight Projects
• Improve enrollment and performance by aligning
and restoring specialty programs
• Contributes to feeder patterns
Examples: arts campus development, Northwest Region
middle school expansion
Regional Development
Community Cornerstone Projects
• Create, restore and expand non-classroom-based
opportunities that benefit students and community
Examples: Teachtown II, expanded Newcomer Center,
Northside community recreation centers, commercial
and residential redevelopment
• Recreation Facility Master Plan approved
OPEB Liability
Other post-employment benefits for MPS retirees
• Identified as a significant financial challenge in McKinsey
Report
• 2007 actuarial report projected a $3.78 billion liability in
2013
• Actions by MPS Board of School Directors reduced liability
by 70% to $1.2 billion
• Board continues to look for further reductions
Wisconsin Budget Challenges
Sustainable funding is key
• $12.1 million cut in year one of state budget
• Additional $11 million in cuts due to no inflationary
adjustments in state aid
• Low reimbursement rates for special needs students
• Chapter 220 uncertainty
• Public education is an investment, not an expense
How Can You Help?
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Demonstrate public support for public schools
Host MPS updates
Support a loaned executive to develop key initiatives
Spread the good news; better “buzz”
Make a collective impact in our school communities
Key Points to Remember
• Public education is an investment, not an expense
• MPS has a plan to improve student achievement,
and early results are promising
• District cannot do this work alone. We need our
community to support public education
• Your actions make a difference
Milwaukee Public Schools
MPS Board of School Directors
Michael Bonds, Ph.D., President, District 3
Meagan Holman, Vice President, District 8
Mark Sain, District 1
Jeff Spence, District 2
Annie Woodward, District 4
Larry Miller, District 5
Tatiana Joseph, Ph.D., District 6
Claire Zautke, District 7
Terrence Falk, At-Large
Senior Team
Darienne B. Driver, Ed.D., Superintendent
Erbert Johnson, CPA, Chief of Staff
Karen R. Jackson, Ph.D., Chief Human Capital Officer
Ruth Maegli, Chief Innovation Officer
Michelle Nate, CPA, Chief Operations Officer
Gerald Pace, Esq., Chief Financial Officer
Keith Posley, Ed.D., Chief School Administration Officer
Sue Saller, Executive Coordinator, Superintendent’s Initiatives