AB 37

Currently, the board of school directors of Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) is

vested with authority to purchase, lease, control, and manage the schools and

property of the school district. School buildings located in the City of Milwaukee

(city), and the sites on which the school buildings sit, however, are the property of the

city, and deeds and conveyances of property are made to the city. MPS must adopt

a resolution prior to purchasing or leasing a building site or constructing a school

house. The city must sell city-owned property used for school purposes if MPS

submits a written request to the city and the common council adopts a resolution

approving the sale. The board determines whether proceeds of the sale of city-owned

property used for school purposes are deposited into the school operations fund or the

school construction fund. In general, if the proceeds are deposited into the school

operations fund, the moneys must be used to pay the principal and other fees and

premiums due on bonds issued for school facilities.

Under this bill, if the common council finds that city-owned property used for

school purposes has been unused or underutilized for at least 18 consecutive months,

the common council may sell or lease the property. The bill requires the board to

provide the common council and city employees and agents copies of all documents

related to the property and access to the property for purposes related to the sale or

leasing of the property. Net proceeds from the sale or lease of property, when

authorized by the common council as provided in the bill, are deposited in the school

operations fund and are to be applied to reduce taxes levied by the city for MPS.