Can MPS close schools?

I have been very negligent about postings on this blog, mainly because I have been involved in other things, like work, starting a new on-line journal (first article received and out for review), and starting a website devoted to Wisconsin bicycle routes. (Talk about lack of focus!) But mainly, I think, it is because I have become increasingly pessimistic about the future of education in Milwaukee.

Part of the reason for this pessimism is underlined by an article in this morning's Journal-Sentinel, "MPS panel holds off on closing several schools." According to this article, directors Blewett, Morales, and Balistreri voted to defer any decision on closing low-enrollment schools until a "community needs" analysis can be done. This decision--or lack of decision really--is symptomatic of the inability of the board majority to make hard decisions, the kind of decisions that will rile a vocal minority but help the system as a whole. Transferring resources from more popular schools to the low-enrollment schools will only make it more difficult for all schools to operate and accelerate the downward spiral.

Theoretically, it is possible that a couple of good things could come out of this:

1. With the threat of imminent closure, perhaps some of the schools will figure out what parents are looking for in schools (it is ironic, I think, that even choice schools with quite inept management seem able to figure out how to attract students).
2. Perhaps they will develop an economic model for a small enrollment school, recognizing that such a school will have to concentrate on doing a few things well, and not try to be all things to all families.

But first MPS schools will have to shake off their debilitating culture that expects someone else to rescue them and the MPS board will have to get over its reluctance to make hard decisions.