Republicans call Evers’ MPS audit decision ‘disappointing’

(The Center Square) – As expected, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers is looking to hire his own auditors to look into Milwaukee Public Schools. And, as expected, Republicans lawmakers are calling that decision “disappointing.”

Evers recently announced plans to move ahead with an independent audit of the financial and operational struggles at MPS.

“MPS and the greater Milwaukee community must both be supportive of any efforts aimed at getting the district back on the right track if those efforts are going to be successful. Having received broad statements of support for my proposal to conduct two additional audits of MPS, I’m directing my administration to proceed with hiring outside, independent auditors who have the necessary education sector experience to conduct these audits thoughtfully and effectively,” Evers said in a statement.

The top Republican in the Wisconsin Senate, Majority leader Devin LeMahieu, said the governor is missing an opportunity to pursue real reforms in the state’s largest school district.

“The failure of Milwaukee Public Schools has tremendous impact in Milwaukee and statewide. Wisconsinites deserve full transparency and accountability, not a private audit commissioned by the former DPI superintendent who played a role in creating this disaster,” LeMahieu said. “Gov. Evers’ decision to move forward with an outside audit is disappointing, and his administration must be careful to choose an auditor with no ulterior motives or other entanglements.”

LeMahieu wanted the governor to use the Legislative Audit Bureau for the audit, but he governor said local leaders in Milwaukee, and members of the city’s school board, are on board with his independent auditors.

“Importantly, not all auditors’ qualifications and expertise are the same – it is exceedingly important to me that the independent auditors responsible for conducting these audits have meaningful background and experience in school and classroom settings and auditing school districts and instruction, which is critical if we are going to identify problems in order to inform future conversations about solutions,” the governor said.

The governor said he’d be seeking auditors for the job in the “coming days,” but didn’t offer a timeline beyond that.