MPS to open learning, meal sites after Gov. orders shutdown of all K-12 schools

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- In response to Coronavirus concerns Milwaukee Public Schools closed on Friday, March 13, ahead of the governor's mandated deadline next week.

“It’s been a lot of sleepless nights," Superintendent Dr. Keith Posley said.

The move comes one day after district leaders said they were working to adjust and keep schools open.

MPS will be closed until April 14.

“We have truly done everything we feel that we can possibly do to make sure that we meet our young people’s needs," Posley added.

On Friday, Governor Tony Evers ordered all public and private K-12 schools to close starting Wednesday.

The order runs in line with MPS’ Spring Break, and has a massive impact.

“Around 76,000 students and over 10,000 employees in Milwaukee Public Schools in 159 schools," Posley explained.

Starting on Monday, the district will open 20 distribution sites at locations across the city.

Five days a week, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Dr. Posley said students will have access to meals and to daily learning materials that do not require internet access.

“And in that particular meal it will be two meals in one. We will provide and lunch and then a breakfast for the next day.”

Wauwatosa is also providing grab-and-go meals and other area school districts are working on plans.

The Milwaukee Teachers Education Association backs the shutdown for safety.

In a statement to CBS 58, MTEA President Amy Mizialko wrote:

“Shutting down every school is an important first step to keep students, workers and their families safe. We will continue to advocate that MPS and state officials ensure students in need have access to meals and that public education workers, especially hourly wage earners, are not harmed economically by school closures.”

Posley said district leaders are still ironing out a lot of details including distance learning offerings, families who cannot reach distribution sites and possibly linking parents to child care options. Leaders will assess also the distribution sites and how they are impacting families.

For the most up-to-date information on MPS, you can click here.