Amid a crushing budget bind, Milwaukee Public Schools has had to cut dozens of specialized teachers from its classrooms in recent years – teachers who bring arts, music and physical education to Milwaukee’s kids. That’s why we like a new idea proposed by Superintendent Gregory Thornton.
Thornton is proposing the creation of a $13.4 million fund in the district’s budget to ensure that schools have at least one arts, music or physical education instructor. The money would be allocated to all MPS schools based on size. At minimum, schools would receive enough money to pay for one of the three programs for students at least one day a week.
Studies confirm the value of such education for kids, but, unfortunately, low-income students in urban schools often get shortchanged. Thornton says that’s not fair.