Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) continues to face financial challenges stemming from its decade-long partnership with the Milwaukee Education Partnership (MEP). Despite terminating the affiliation over a year ago, MPS is still seeking reimbursement for services that were never delivered. The school district has sent multiple invoices totaling ,170 and has even engaged legal counsel in an attempt to recover the funds. Meanwhile, MEP's leader, Gerard Randall, remains unresponsive to requests for comment. The unresolved payment issue highlights concerns about transparency and accountability in no-bid contracts awarded by MPS.

The controversy surrounding MEP extends beyond financial matters. The organization was found to have listed prominent officials on tax filings without their knowledge, raising further questions about its operations. This revelation prompted board member Missy Zombor to scrutinize MPS's procurement practices, leading to the suspension of the district's relationship with MEP. The situation underscores the need for enhanced oversight and accountability in public contracting processes.

Financial Reimbursement Efforts Unsuccessful

Since terminating its relationship with the Milwaukee Education Partnership, Milwaukee Public Schools has been actively pursuing the recovery of ,170, which was paid for services that were not rendered. After sending multiple follow-up invoices, MPS escalated the matter to legal action through the Kohn Law Firm in May 2024. Despite these efforts, the funds remain unrecovered. School board member Missy Zombor emphasized the impact of this unpaid amount on students, noting that it could have funded educational resources or even a teacher's salary.

The origins of this dispute trace back to a contract signed in 2022, where MEP promised to provide paid internships, professional mentoring, housing, and transportation for 10 graduating MPS students over a year. According to the agreement, the program aimed to enhance the pipeline of graduates from Milwaukee to Historically Black Colleges and Universities. However, documents obtained by Wisconsin Public Radio revealed that none of the promised services were provided. Instead, the funds were received by MEP, led by Gerard Randall, who did not respond to inquiries regarding the program's status. This failure to deliver on contractual obligations has left MPS grappling with both financial and reputational damage.

Scrutiny Over Procurement Practices

The controversy surrounding the Milwaukee Education Partnership has brought significant attention to the procurement practices within Milwaukee Public Schools. Board member Missy Zombor, elected in 2023, began investigating various no-bid contracts after noticing discrepancies on MEP's website. Her findings led to the suspension of the district's relationship with MEP in November 2023. Zombor expressed concerns about the potential for fictitious nonprofits to receive public funds, underscoring the importance of stringent verification and oversight in awarding contracts.

Further investigation revealed that MEP had listed several high-profile officials as board officers in tax filings without their knowledge. These individuals included Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, state Superintendent Jill Underly, and former MPS Superintendent Keith Posley. The unauthorized listings raised serious questions about MEP's operational integrity. Despite these controversies, Gerard Randall continues to serve on influential boards, including the Wisconsin GOP and Visit Milwaukee. This ongoing involvement highlights the broader implications of lax oversight in public contracting. To prevent future incidents, Zombor advocates for enhancing the accountability of the procurement process to safeguard public money and ensure transparency in all vendor relationships.