Students, staff rally against proposed MPS budget cuts

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – Dozens of students, staff and community members gathered outside Riverside High School April 10 to rally against MPS proposed budget cuts.

The group had signs and changed before school started Tuesday morning. They are upset that Milwaukee Public Schools is looking into a 5% budget cut and are worried about losing supplies for the classroom and even teachers.

The School Board of Directors will be meeting Tuesday night and is expected to discuss the budget and people at Tuesday’s rally plan to be there.

"I came from my country, Somalia, looking for education and if they cut 5% I would be losing that education wouldn't I?" Farhiya Abdi, MPS student, said. "I need to stop them so I can learn. If they want us to learn they need to stop cutting our classes."

Voces de la Frontera, a Milwaukee Civil Rights Group, says that if the cuts go through, Riverside University High School could lose $250,000 worth of supplies, technology, and transportation.

"The board needs to find a way to help fund us," Stephanie Wade, MPS Art Teacher, said. "We need the materials in our classrooms. We need this to be supportive for our kids."

The School Board Directors will be meeting and discussing the budget starting at 5:30 p.m.

Many of the rally participants plan to attend the meeting.