State Superintendent Tony Evers threatened to withhold millions of federal dollars from the Milwaukee Public Schools if they fail to make progress, in a letter submitted to the school district Thursday.
Evers said if MPS does not take corrective action, the Department of Public Instruction will withhold all Title I funds, which are allocated to low-income school districts and could total up to $175 million.
Evers cited the failure of MPS to make annual yearly progress as defined by the state's corrective action plan for the district, which set targets for graduation rates and reading and math proficiency.
""I have a legal responsibility to the children of Milwaukee. Today, I issued a notice that will allow me to speed up change in the Milwaukee Public Schools through the use of my authority regarding federal funds,"" he said in a statement.
MPS Superintendent William Andrekopoulos said in a statement he was ""shocked"" by Evers' decision.
""It's unfortunate that this step has been taken. It's a significant detraction from all of the good work we have been doing and continue to do with the constant and supportive interaction of [Department of Public Instruction] staff,"" he said.
