We have a clean sheet of paper to design public schools that work for Milwaukee | Letters

In his commentary, Alan Borsuk reminded us to “never let a crisis go to waste” (“MPS faces challenges as district moves on,” June 9).

I think we are as close as we will ever be to a clean sheet of paper to design a new public school system. Now would be a good time for state legislators who have been trying for so long to break up Milwaukee Public Schools to spell out their plan, to be evaluated. Now would be a good time to stand back and assess what we’ve learned from 30 years of charter, voucher, and choice schools that could be applied more widely.

Teachers, parents, philosophers, academic and vocational education consultants, sociologists, brain scientists, economists, demographers, think tanks, even civic minded business leaders should contribute their best ideas. Let’s get behind that “veil of ignorance” and design what we need. Or let’s pretend we were wise aliens who just landed and were tasked with designing an environment where everyone could learn and flourish.

I am a product of MPS schools, as were my parents. But maybe the critics who say a 19th Century system won’t work anymore are right. What got us here won’t get us where we want to be. Maybe we need a two-track system with academic and technical paths, or neighborhood schools to help neighborhood cohesion. Maybe we need total wraparound schools for some kids, like the old orphanages.

Milwaukee was once a pioneer in charter schools. Let’s pioneer the next generation, whatever it may be. Let’s put it all on the table and do more than just fix the financial software of a school system that doesn’t produce readers.

Kay Weisman, Milwaukee

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