The Milwaukee Public School (MPS) Board has postponed their plans to evict two Carmen Charter Schools campuses until October 2024. This decision follows strong opposition from parents, the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) and other education advocates, who argue that such an eviction would be detrimental to both students and taxpayers in Milwaukee.
Earlier this year, the MPS Board initiated steps to potentially force Carmen Schools out of two district-leased buildings. Carmen, known for operating some of the highest-performing schools in the district, had initially aimed to promote cooperation between charter schools and traditional public schools. The partnership, established in 2015, was intended to enhance student achievement and was a key part of MPS’s strategy to improve educational outcomes. However, this initiative now faces uncertainty, threatening to displace over 1,000 students.
Carmen High School South, one of the schools at risk of eviction, ranks among the top five high schools in the district and is the highest-ranked school without selective admissions. This highlights the school’s success and the potential negative impact of the eviction on student performance and community stability.
WILL’s analysis reveals that evicting Carmen Schools would have significant financial repercussions for MPS. Carmen operates as a “non-instrumentality” charter school, meaning it is independently run with non-unionized teachers but authorized by MPS. The loss of these schools would likely force Carmen to seek authorization elsewhere, resulting in a financial loss for MPS.
Carmen’s funding is similar to that of Wisconsin’s independent charter schools, with added categorical aids and a 1% administrative fee paid to MPS. For the 2023-24 school year, the MPS revenue limit is $12,660 per student, with MPS retaining approximately $1,328 per Carmen student. Additionally, Carmen pays nearly $792,000 annually to lease space from MPS for its two campuses.
The table below outlines the estimated financial impact on MPS if Carmen Schools are evicted, based on current enrollment figures
The loss of revenue from Carmen Schools would further strain MPS’s financial resources, potentially equating to the salaries of about 33 teachers.
During a recent board meeting, Carmen students, parents, and staff voiced their opposition to the proposed eviction. They argued that the current co-location arrangement has been successful and that relocating would disrupt the educational stability and progress of students.
The MPS Board’s plan to end Carmen’s facility agreements would not only disrupt the education of over 1,000 students but also impose a significant financial burden on the district. Stakeholders concerned with urban education, school choice, and effective governance should advocate for MPS to reconsider and abandon this proposal.