Ministers Say Governor Bears Responsibility for MPS Problems

An alliance of Milwaukee ministers and a Milwaukee Public School board member say the governor bears responsibility for problems in Milwaukee’s public schools.

The Milwaukee Minority Ministerial Alliance said at a news conference that the governor has done nothing to address problems in MPS or the city as a whole.

The Rev. Rolen Womack said problems in the city’s public schools are “no more than a direct reflection of the pervasive social, racial and economic problems found throughout Milwaukee.”

The alliance and school board member Leon Todd said the governor’s proposal to improve MPS did not address the needs of the central city.

Womack called for more jobs in the central city.

“During the special legislative session which has just passed we were struck, as pastors, that not one time did Governor Thompson make a single concrete suggestion as to how Milwaukee’s schools or the frightening conditions of poverty in which most of Milwaukee’s school children currently live could be improved,” Womack said.

The Legislature has adjourned without adopting any of several plans dealing with Milwaukee’s public schools.

Posted May 29, 1998