Milwaukee parents, activists launch school board recall after alleged financial mismanagement

US News

By Ben Yount

There is now a recall effort to replace the Milwaukee school board.

A group of parents and activists said they are seeking to recall half of the MPS board, including President Marva Herndon, Vice President Jilly Gokalgandhi, Erica Siemsen and Missy Zomber.

Tamika Johnson, who spoke on behalf of the group, said these four Milwaukee voters misled Milwaukee voters about April's quarter-billion-dollar MPS referendum and failed to inform the parents and taxpayers of ongoing financial problems within the Milwaukee school district.

“It’s not enough for the superintendent to resign,” Johnson said. “This board and this administration have worked to hide the truth from the public, to promote a false narrative about the need for more funding. They asked us to dig deeper into our pockets for a school district and board of elected leaders who have handled our funding irresponsibly.

Johnson said Milwaukee parents have simply had enough.

“We all stand together saying 'enough is enough,'” Johnson said. “I am here as a tired community organizer, the voice of those who are tired of being manipulated and misled, the voice of those who have been ignored and need an advocate. »

Johnson and his group are unhappy with both Milwaukee's $252 million referendum and the $1.5 billion budget for the upcoming school year.

Johnson said they are furious over late and incomplete financial reporting that has cost Milwaukee Public Schools nearly $17 million so far.

But launching the recall won't be easy.

The recall group will need at least 5,137 signatures to initiate a recall against District 1 Manager Marva Herndon and up to 44,177 signatures to recall City Manager Missy Zombor.

Johnson said the group has no candidates lined up in case their recall efforts are successful.

MPS has faced days of chaos since news broke earlier this month that MPS was late with two financial reports that were due to the state last year.

This news, along with opposition from parents and activists, led to the ouster of MPS Superintendent Keith Posley.

The chaos also led Gov. Tony Evers to request and then begin organizing a double audit of Milwaukee Public Schools.