Governor to initiate waiver expediting contracting process to hire outside, independent auditor to conduct MPS instructional audit

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers on June 17th, announced his administration is opening a request for services to conduct an independent operational audit of the Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) district. The governor announced last week he would proceed with hiring auditors to conduct two audits of MPS, both an operational and instructional audit, respectively, after the MPS School Board of Directors and local community leaders, among others, expressed public support for both efforts.

“Given the challenges facing MPS, it is exceedingly important that we begin outside, independent audits of the district’s operations and instruction quickly to fully identify the extent of the problems in order to work toward having future conversations about solutions,” said Gov. Evers. “It is critical the district cooperates with the DPI as it relates to the financial audit as we take steps to begin additional audits as soon as possible with independent auditors who have the necessary education sector experience to conduct both audits thoughtfully and effectively. I look forward to these audits getting underway so we can support kids, families, and educators in MPS, as well as the greater community.”

In order to begin the operational audit of MPS as soon as possible, the operational audit will be conducted under an existing state contract through which entities that have appropriate experience auditing educational settings have already gone through competitive bidding and been selected to receive state contracts through the state’s procurement processes. A list of eligible vendors that may be considered and selected to conduct the independent operational audit is available here.

The governor previously announced he would commit to directing the necessary resources for the state to hire outside, independent auditors with the appropriate education sector expertise and experience auditing educational and classroom settings, going well beyond the ongoing financial audit required for annual state reporting. The Evers Administration is pursuing both an operational audit of the district’s operations, processes, and procedures, as well as an audit of instructional policies and methodologies, which may include, for example, classroom learning environments and professional development policies and practices to support educators, among other areas.

The request for services for the operational audit will open on, June 17, 2024, through June 24, 2024, and requests that the operational audit begin and be completed as soon as practicable. The project description for the operational audit request for services is available in its entirety below:

The State of Wisconsin Department of Administration is seeking consulting services to conduct an unbiased, independent operational audit assessment of the Milwaukee Public Schools. The audit should specifically include a review of the district’s operations, processes, procedures, and performance, to include but not limited to:

• review of compliance and reporting functions, financial management and controls, including workflow within the finance roles and functions of the district; 
• analysis of district-wide human resources processes and policies, as well as central office recruitment, hiring, training, retention, professional development, and performance management; 
• identify areas to support improving central office effectiveness and efficiency; 
• evaluate overall district organizational chart, including central office existing titles, job descriptions, and appropriate staffing levels across departments; and 
• develop recommendations to improve available guidance and resources, implement best practices through training, and promote communication and transparency with the school board, relevant partners, parents and families, and the public.