This post originally appeared at https://reforminggovernment.org/education-watch-milwaukee-school-safety-in-jeopardy/

From the Badger Institute: “A spokesman for Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson has told the Badger Institute it is ‘likely that Milwaukee police officers will have a renewed presence in some Milwaukee Public Schools in 2023.’

The disclosure from the mayor’s office follows a fall semester when 34 MPS high schools made 778 calls for police service, 21.2% more than the 642 calls last spring and 16.5% more than the 668 made in the fall of 2021, according to police data obtained by the Badger Institute.” Read more here.

Additional context from IRG Senior Research Director Quinton Klabon:

• We can fully acknowledge that pandemic policies disrupted behavior standards, some high schools more than others, while also acknowledging that crimes on campus make it impossible for focused students to learn.
• Milwaukee’s policies are designed to decrease suspensions to keep students in school. Suspensions are down from last year. Is the balance off?
• School districts could collect anonymous student and staff safety surveys to gauge sentiment. Also, a public review of 2018 federal School Safety Initiative grant usage could determine whether schools are safe learning spaces.