Suburban Republicans' assault on Milwaukee Public Schools.

BustED Pencils

Last week Rep. Dale Kooyenga (R-Brookfield) and Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) decided that their vast experience as suburban Wisconsin legislators qualififed them to introduce a bill that would literally take away Milwaukee Public Schools from the people of Milwaukee. Yes, they proposed a "public school take over bill." These bills have been passed in many urban areas across the country and have been proven to simply be a private take over of urban poor and minority populated schools. Later in the week it was announced that the bill was killed. However, the movement to privatize urban public schools has been way too lucrative to just let die. Instead of a bill, the Milwaukee School Take over Bill has been simply slated to be passed as part of the state budget process—truly undermining the political and social capital of the citizens of Milwaukee. Tonight's special episode will feature Milwaukee school board member, former teacher and editor of Rethinking Schools Larry Miller, Wisconsin Public Education Network's Heather DuBois Bourenane, and Angela McManaman, President of Parents for Public Schools-Milwaukee.