Press Release: Gov. Evers Announces MGT Consulting of America Selected to Conduct Independent Audit of MPS Operations

State of Wisconsin sent this bulletin at 07/29/2024 11:40 AM CDT
Office of Governor Tony Evers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 29, 2024
Contact: GovPress@wisconsin.gov 
 
Gov. Evers Announces MGT Consulting of America Selected to Conduct Independent Audit of MPS Operations
MGT team includes former educators, public school professionals with experience conducting reviews of urban school districts
MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today announced MGT of America Consulting, LLC (MGT) has been selected by his administration to conduct an outside, independent audit of Milwaukee Public Schools’ (MPS) operations, processes, and procedures. Gov. Evers announced last month he would commit the necessary resources to proceed with conducting operational and instructional audits of the district after the effort received support from area legislators, MPS School Board of Directors, and community leaders, among others.

MGT brings a team with direct experience working in public schools, including a former educator, as well as experience conducting operational reviews and providing strategic support to school districts. In their response to the proposal, MGT committed to a “strategic, student-centered approach” in their work to make “evidence-based recommendations to improve central office effectiveness and efficiency.”

“I’ve been clear from the beginning that the folks selected to conduct the independent, outside audits of MPS bring expertise and specific experience in classrooms, schools, and helping support school districts facing significant challenges, which is critical if we’re going to identify issues and have meaningful conversations in the future about solutions. MGT fits that build, and I’m looking forward to them beginning their work auditing MPS’ operations,” Gov. Evers said.  

“This operational audit will be focused on examining the district’s financial reporting and management, reviewing human resources training, processes, and professional development, and developing strategies to improve effectiveness and efficiency at central office,” continued Gov. Evers. “This audit will play a critical role in helping get MPS back on track in support of our kids, families, and educators across MPS, as well as the greater Milwaukee community.”

The governor previously announced he would direct the necessary resources for the state to hire outside, independent auditors to go well beyond the financial audit MPS is required to submit annually for state reporting. The operational audit is being conducted under an existing state contract, enabling the Evers Administration to begin conducting the operational audit as soon as possible. The Wisconsin Department of Administration will now finalize a contract with MGT in order for their work and engagement with MPS to begin.

The Evers Administration is pursuing both an operational audit of the district’s operations, processes, and procedures, as well as a separate outside, independent audit of instructional policies and methodologies. The instructional audit will include a review of instructional policies and methodologies, which may include, for example, classroom learning environments, professional development policies, addressing external factors affecting classroom learning, and practices to support educators, among other areas. Responses to the request for services for the instructional audit are due this week. A forthcoming announcement will be made when a vendor has been selected to complete the instructional audit.

The project description for the operational audit request for services for which MGT was selected 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.

The deliverable report from this audit should include identification of specific strengths and challenges of current operations, as well as opportunities and recommendations for improvements.

Respondents should provide a summary of their experience in performing operational audits and assessments, particularly in the contexts of education and regulatory compliance. Respondents should be aware that the State of Wisconsin also intends to contract for services for an instructional audit of the Milwaukee Public Schools, and the successful respondent will need to be prepared to work collaboratively with other auditors to align the simultaneously conducted activities to ensure efforts are not duplicative or unduly burdensome while ensuring thorough results and comprehensive, cohesive recommendations.
 
An online version of this release is available here.
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