Milwaukee Public Schools recently received very good news. Voters overwhelmingly approved an $87-million operational referendum for the 75,000-student school district. 

The referendum passed with 78 percent of the vote in an election that was held during the coronavirus pandemic. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the vote will allow the school district to exceed its state-imposed revenue limits by  $87 million beginning in the 2023-24 school year. 

Funding from the referendum will be used to attract and retain high-quality certified teachers, therapists, counselors and nurses, offer more career and technical education programs and expand art, music, physical education and language programs.

“To all of our MPS students, parents, and staff: you truly make me MPS Proud,” said Milwaukee Schools Superintendent Keith Posley in a news statement after the results were announced. “We are grateful for your unwavering support. Milwaukee Public Schools remains committed to providing all students with the best learning environment possible.”

According to district officials, this was the first time in more than 25 years that voters were asked to approve a referendum to benefit the school system; the last time was in 1993.