MPS Wants 'Full Remote Learning' In Fall; Plan Costs $90 Million

MILWAUKEE, WI — In the first major announcement by a public school district in Wisconsin, Milwaukee Public Schools officials recommend starting the 2020-21 school year with full remote learning.

Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent Keith Posley signed his name to a 135-page report Monday, outlining a proposal for how the district will return to school in the fall.

In the plan, called "Roadmap to Readiness," Posley outlines three scenarios for a return to school.

They are:

Phase 1: Full remote learning
Phase 2: Hybrid learning
Phase 3: Face-to-face learning

The plan goes before the Milwaukee Public School board on Thursday for consideration.

According to the plan, all instruction would be delivered virtually for between 30 and 45 days.

>> Read The Full Plan Here

Next, the plan calls for face-to-face instruction for two days a week and virtual instruction for three days a week.

District officials said all students would return to school for full-time in-person instruction pending further health and safety guidance from local and state health officials. A virtual option would be available for those who are not comfortable sending their children back to school full-time, officials noted in the report.

Expenses

Under the plan, MPS officials said reopening schools would mean $90 million in new spending.

Here are the top expenses, according to the plan:

$29 million for extra buses and sanitation.

$17.5 million for 65,000 Acer Chromebooks.

$7.9 million for extra staff time.

$6.7 million for disposable masks.

$6.0 million for sanitizing services.

$3.4 million for sanitizer.

$5.1 million for 19,500 cellular hotspots.

$5 million for other distance learning technology.