Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter Rory Linnane examined vacancies at Milwaukee Public Schools, how they impact students, and how to solve them. ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ Students Gabriel Sisarica and Chesnie Wardell collaborated with Linnane on the series
The first installement of the series was published in February 2025. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel story addresses the staff vacancies at Milwaukee Public Schools and the impact of those vacancies. A Journal Sentinel analysis found that the vacancies dispropotionately affect students with disabilities, Black students and students from low-income families. With around 11% of staff positions being unfulfulled at any time, MPS expects to save about $70 million that can be spent elsewhere.
The second installment, published in March 2025, investigated how MPS failed to monitor lead paint hazards likely resulting in the lead poisoning of a Milwaukee student. With budget cuts and staff vacancies, the distrcit has fallen behind on maintenance. The district plans to complete inspections of its oldest buildings by the end of May, and additional schools to be inspected after that.
Here is the team behind the project:
Reporter: Rory Linnane
Contributing reporters: Gabriel Sisarica and Chesnie Wardell
Photography: Mike De Sisti and Angela Peterson
Digital Design: Spencer Holiday
Works published to date:
February 20, 2025
March 26, 2025
May 1, 2025
