Frequently Asked Questions

The LRFMP is a comprehensive, long-term strategic plan that outlines the development, improvement, and maintenance of the district's school buildings. The plan will address both current and future needs, considering factors such as student enrollment trends, program offerings, demographics, and unique community needs to help guide decision-making. 

The goal of the LRFMP is to support student success by making sure that the district’s learning spaces meet student needs. 

The MPS Strategic Plan goal of Rightsizing the District is to have sufficient schools to offer equitable programming to all students, sufficient fully licensed staff to fill all classrooms, and to address any building needs by 2028. By ensuring that the district’s learning spaces meet student needs, the LRFMP directly supports this Strategic Plan goal.

Recommendations to close and/or consolidate schools are possible outcomes, though there are a wide range of strategies being considered to support the project's goal. The expectation is that the plan will recommend a variety of approaches, which could also include investment in existing facilities, expansion of schools, and reconfiguration of spaces to better align with student needs and enrollment trends. 

MPS is committed to implementing sustainable, long-term strategies. Closing under-enrolled schools without a comprehensive plan could lead to unintended consequences, such as overcrowding at other schools or disproportionately impacting certain communities. The LRFMP will consider long-term impact and aims to ensure equity of access for students and sustainable growth for the district. 

The LRFMP will be informed primarily by three data categories: people, places, and programs. Below are some examples of what information is included in each category:

• People: enrollment trends, birth rates, neighborhood and housing trends

• Places: school building conditions, available features/spaces, utilization  

• Programs: specialty programs (Montessori, bilingual, STEM, etc.), extracurriculars, organizational partnerships

The project team is engaging with the community through a mix of different strategies to ensure that all stakeholder voices are heard and considered in the planning process, including those furthest from opportunity. Some of these strategies include community-specific online surveys, virtual and in-person town hall meetings, joining existing MPS and citywide events, and this interactive website. 

In addition to the methods outlined above, an array of engagement strategies is being used to engage with students and staff to ensure their input is a priority. The project team developed student- and staff-specific online surveys, is coordinating summer and fall student workshops and focus groups, and will be interviewing MPS departments to ensure that their goals, plans, and space needs are aligned with the LRFMP. 

The LRFMP is a plan to optimize MPS schools to support high-quality education. Well-maintained and appropriately equipped learning environments can enhance student engagement, improve safety and comfort, and facilitate effective teaching methods. By aligning facilities with current educational programs and future needs, the LRFMP can help create spaces that support diverse learning styles, foster collaboration, and integrate technology. This will help ensure that students have access to the resources and environments they need to succeed academically and thrive in their educational journeys. 

The project is scheduled to wrap up at the end of October 2024 before being presented to MPS leadership and the Milwaukee Board of School Directors. 

Yes, many large urban districts across the country are facing similar challenges, often due to factors such as declining student enrollment, aging infrastructure, and shifting demographics. Economic changes, population movements, and evolving educational demands have contributed to the growth of these challenges. In response, many districts are developing long-range facilities master plans tailored to their specific contexts. Common strategies include school consolidations, targeted investments in facility upgrades, expansion of successful programs, and reconfiguration of school spaces. Additionally, they focus on community engagement to gather input and ensure that changes reflect the needs and priorities of students, families, and staff. By learning from the experiences of other districts, MPS can adopt best practices and innovative solutions to effectively address its own challenges and support sustainable growth.