MILWAUKEE, Wis. (WTAQ) - There were mixed feelings and strong emotions expressed Tuesday about the plan to let Milwaukee’s mayor take control of the city’s school system. Over 200 people attended a public hearing held in Milwaukee by the state Senate Education Committee. Mayoral control is one of the ideas Governor Jim Doyle is pushing in order to win up to a quarter-billion dollars in federal stimulus funds for public schools under President Obama’s “Race to the Top” program. The state’s application for that money is due January 19th. But Senate Democrat Bob Jauch of Poplar said neither the mayoral control bill or a less drastic alternative has enough votes in the Legislature to pass. And with the impasse, Jauch said the “status quo will prevail.” The main bill would let the mayor appoint the school superintendent and control the school district’s budget. Mayor Tom Barrett said drastic action is needed in light of low test scores. If given the power, he said he might make it easier for the bottom quarter of schools to bring in new principals and teachers. But some residents call the measure a state power grab designed to bring in federal money, while giving the people less of a say. And the head of the Racine teachers’ union said it might lead to mayoral control of schools in his city and others in Wisconsin.
