MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) Superintendent Brenda Cassellius informed staff Wednesday of her plans to downsize the number of staff at the district's central office. It marked the first significant change in MPS' staffing policy since Cassellius officially started in March.

In a letter, Cassellius announced 40 certified teachers currently working in central office will be moved back into classrooms to account for a teacher shortage.

"First and foremost, academic outcomes for our students are not where they should be," Cassellius wrote. "We must have the courage to make changes that will benefit our students urgently."

Recent national data places Milwaukee's 4th grade reading and math scores as some of the nation's worst among large urban districts. MPS is awaiting the results of an audit Gov. Tony Evers ordered into the district's academics last summer.

Cassellius said MPS expects to have 80 or more vacant teaching positions when the 2025-26 school year begins in September. To close that gap, she's dipping into a group of 181 central office staffers. 

Cassellius said all 181 of those employees will have their positions "excessed," and about 140 of those jobs will be immediately reposted with staff able to reapply for those positions.

"I know change is always hard, and that not everyone will agree with this decision," Cassellius wrote. "I am committed to ensuring everyone on the academics team that is impacted by these changes has the opportunity to be considered for a job of their choosing."

Cassellius also informed staff she plans to announce changes to the district's leadership structure next week.