MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee Board of School Directors has approved wage increases for Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) employees represented by the Milwaukee Teachers' Education Association (MTEA).

The board approved a 1.5% wage increase effective July 2026, according to a press release, followed by another 1.13% increase in January, bringing staff to a 2.63% base wage increase by the beginning of 2027.

The district and teachers' union had been at odds over pay, and a mediator declared an impasse Monday. 

“Tonight’s Board vote shows we value our employees and their commitment to our students while also building a budget that will help us restore the district’s fiscal standing,” said Superintendent Brenda Cassellius. “There were no easy decisions here, however we are ultimately bringing employees to a full 2.63% increase by January while maintaining our obligation to present a balanced budget to the Board next month.”

The district says they'll seek board approval to apply the wage increases to employees not represented by the teachers' union as well.