The push for a referendum to support Milwaukee Public Schools gained two key endorsements from Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, the Vote Yes For MPS Committee announced Monday.
The group is asking voters to raise city property taxes to ultimately provide MPS with up to $252 million in additional annual funding. Milwaukee residents will vote on the referendum April 2.
If approved, the Milwaukee property tax rate for the next school year would rise by about $2.16 per $1,000 of property value. For a $200,000 home, that would be an increase of about $432.
Milwaukee leaders say the referendum is necessary to maintain operations and avoid severe cuts amid rising costs.
“We have to make sure Milwaukee students return to school next fall without cuts to their schools and with every opportunity we can provide them,” Crowley said in a statement.
Johnson and Crowley, who are both MPS graduates and parents, said they will vote yes.
“Milwaukee’s future is our children and we must provide them the resources to ensure they are in quality learning environments,” Johnson said in a statement. “School districts around the state are utilizing referendums to give their students the opportunities they deserve, and Milwaukee students shouldn’t be left behind.”