The recently-passed Wisconsin state budget included a school takeover plan that would hand over many Milwaukee Public Schools to an unelected commissioner who is appointed by County Executive Chris Abele. Our communities reject this takeover of our schools. We want vibrant, public community schools that welcome and serve all children, offer special education services and bilingual education, and are locally controlled and accountable to parents.

Cities around the country that have implemented school takeover zones have not improved student achievement, and have devastated their local economies. Across the country, school takeovers target mainly African American and Latino children in high-poverty neighborhoods. Schools run by third party operators enroll significantly fewer students with special needs, and do not offer bilingual education or other needed services. The dozens of taxpayer-funded, privately run charter and voucher schools that already exist in Milwaukee show no improvement in student achievement compared to public schools.

Parents, students, and community members, please sign this petition to Stop the Takeover of Milwaukee Public Schools.

Read more about it here: http://mtea.weac.org/2015/09/18/milwaukee-fights-back-against-school-takeovers-with-walk-ins-at-more-than-100-public-schools/