Milwaukee voters approve $87 million MPS referendum

Annysa Johnson:

Milwaukee voters overwhelmingly approved an $87 million referendum to support their public schools, according to election results Monday.

The referendum, the first for Milwaukee Public Schools in more than two decades, passed with about 78% of the vote in a chaotic — and historic — election conducted during a global pandemic that dramatically curtailed in-person turnout.

It represents a lifeline for the state’s largest and arguably poorest school district, which the Wisconsin Policy Forum has said faced an uncertain future without painful cuts and a significant infusion of cash from the state or local property taxpayers.

Related: Is the MPS Tax & Spending Increase Referendum Good for Milwaukee?