We are entering what may prove to be a remarkably rich and productive period of public conversation regarding the future of Milwaukee Public Schools.  As reported by Alan Borsuk in this morning’s Journal Sentinel, the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance just released a study that documents extraordinarily high costs in MPS, particularly with respect to employee benefits.  But, as Borsuk observes, this is just the first in “what is likely to be a parade of major developments and studies that may reshape the future of MPS.”

Next up is a report by the Public Policy Forum on school system governance issues, which will be the subject of a panel discussion at the Law School on Monday evening at 7:00.  Moderated by our own Mike Gousha, the panel will include many of the leading figures in local government and education, including:

• William G. Andrekopoulos, superintendent, Milwaukee Public Schools
• Dr. Howard Fuller, director, Institute for the Transformation of Learning, Marquette University
• Alderman Willie L. Hines, Jr., president, City of Milwaukee Common Council
• Jennifer Morales, director, District 5, Milwaukee Public Schools
• Dennis Oulahan, president, Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association
• Tim Sheehy, president, Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce
• Rep. Annette Polly Williams, 10th Assembly District, Wisconsin State Assembly

More information about this public event is here.

It is hard to think of any more important long-term challenge facing our community than improving the financial health and academic performance of MPS.  Let’s hope that the emerging public conversation at Marquette and elsewhere will contribute to thoughtful, well-informed change.