Milwaukee Public Schools Board Meeting - Who Cares?

Last night my sister Sarah, an MPS teacher for about 4-5 years, called imploring me to show up to a MPS school board meeting. The meeting was scheduled to discuss the prospect of a 16.4% hike in the amount of property taxes that get doled out for MPS. Since I listened to her suggestion on a voicemail, I was able to make a snide comment to Michelle along the lines of, “Why show up? They’re just going to pass it anyway.”

I never called Sarah back, as I am sure she got the message, although I can actually say with confidence that I’m glad I didn’t show up for the meeting. I can say that because of an article I read on the Journal-Sentinel’s website. The reporter refused to hide his contempt for the lack of interest parents of MPS students showed by not attending the meeting. He derided the fact that, with the exception of one citizen who spoke out against the tax hike, the only attendants at the meeting were school officials and the media.

While the reporter, Mr. Alan Borsuk, may have gone a tad far in his rant session, he may have a point. I recall (after deleting Sarah’s voicemail) feeling a sliver of guilt for not attending a meeting that would directly impact family and friends. I wonder if parents of MPS students felt that same sliver of guilt. I wonder if the meeting even registered when they were subconsciously planning the tasks of the day.

I feel that parents play the largest role in the success of a child’s education—that’s right, more important than school breakfast, class size, and even the quality of the teacher. So when a meeting that determines whether certain aspects of their child’s education (extracurricular activities, more teachers, etc.) will progress or remain stagnant goes unattended, there is a cause for concern.