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Governor Scott Walker's proposed 2011-13 state budget includes $834 million in cuts to Wisconsin schools and local governments. The budget has yet to be debated and adopted, be we know that our families and members of the community have many questions.

In the weeks ahead, Milwaukee Public Schools will analyze information related to the district's Fiscal Year 2012 budget. Our goal is to maintain quality programming while being fisically responsible. We will develop a plan to move forward with next school year, and to continue to serve the families of Milwaukee.

What is the impact to MPS of the governor's state budget proposal?
MPS' initial calculations show a potential loss of $74 million for next school year. This is our current estimate of what the district loses through reductions in state aid and the local tax levy, along with funding the governor proposes to eliminate for math teachers, school nurses, Advance Placement Courses, the Children at Risk program, and other programs. The potential loss of funding compounds problems for the district, which had already identified a shortfall of $13.6 million for next year.

What is the impact to MPS students?
The potential impacts on our children have our staff, city leaders and community members worried. More than 82% of MPS students live in poverty; almost 20% require special education, and 9.8% are English Language Learners. The district serves more African American and Hispanic children than any other district in the state. Many students struggle daily with hunger and have no access to health care, explained Superintendent Gregory Thornton, who recently told the Milwaukee Board of School Directors and an audience of MPS families, "The governor's plan causes a disproportionate amount of hurt to our young people."