September 25, 2009

Coalition Forms to Stop Mayoral Takeover

The Milwaukee Branch of the NAACP and the Educators’ Network for Social Justice announced today the formation of “The Coalition to Stop the MPS Takeover.”

16 community, parent, educator and union groups - including the MTEA - have joined together to oppose mayoral takeover of the Milwaukee Public Schools, and to promote an alternative reform package built on strong working relations between community, parents and the schools.

“We have struggled for over 100 years to protect and sustain our right to vote,” announced Jerry Ann Hamilton, President of the Milwaukee Branch of the NAACP, “and we are not going to allow our rights to be taken away from us now.”

Hamilton welcomed the involvement of Governor Doyle and Mayor Barrett in trying to solve problems in MPS, but stated “that support can be given without taking away peoples’ right to elect our local school board.”

The formal statement of the coalition reads, “While we know that the Milwaukee Public Schools need improvement, we believe that taking away the right of the people to elect our school board representatives hurts democracy and does not contribute to MPS students’ academic success.”

Member groups agree to 3 principles:

• Oppose the mayoral takeover
• Protect and defend voter rights
• Invest in parent and community involvement in our schools

Bob Peterson, a 5th grade teacher in MPS, member of the MTEA Executive Board, and spokesperson for Educators’ Network for Social Justice, explained that “the problems facing MPS are serious and need the attention of all members of our community, but there are no ‘silver bullet’ solutions to these problems. Instead of dividing our community with this anti-democratic proposal, our elected officials should be bringing the community and educators together to solve these complex problems. We need more community and parental involvement in our schools, not less.”

In addition to NAACP, ENSJ, and the MTEA, other member groups include:

• MICAH (Milwaukee Inner City Congregations Allied for Hope)
• Voces de la Frontera
• AFT Locals 212 and 2169
• Title One District Advisory Council
• Mothers of the Struggle
• Progressive Students of Milwaukee
• People United for MPS
• WISDOM
• Rethinking Schools
• Milwaukee Professionals Association
• Voice of the Central City
• Socialist Party of Wisconsin

The coalition meets every Tuesday from 4:30 to 6 PM at the offices of the NAACP, Milwaukee Branch at 2745 North ML King Drive.

Organizations and individuals who are interested in organizing against the mayoral takeover and for the improvement of Milwaukee Public Schools are invited to attend.