Milwaukee City Wire

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on student engagement, particularly affecting extracurricular activities in Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS). These activities were halted from March 2020 until spring 2021, leaving students without important social and developmental opportunities.

To address these challenges, MPS utilized the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief fund (ESSER III), part of the federal response to the pandemic. This funding focused on five key priorities: Accelerating Learning, Health and Wellness, Facilities, Technology, and Extracurricular Engagement. It allowed MPS to invest millions in various areas, including improving athletic facilities that had been lacking compared to those in surrounding communities.

MPS aimed to reignite student enthusiasm and rebuild pride by prioritizing extracurricular engagement and upgrading athletic facilities. "It really is about investing in our students," said South Division High School principal Jose Trejo. "Our students really deserve the best facilities that we can provide, and [utilizing] the ESSER funds for that was definitely a step in the right direction for our district."

These efforts were intended to help students reconnect socially and emotionally while fostering excitement about their academic pursuits. The ESSER III investment was seen as crucial for re-engaging students and supporting their long-term success. Milwaukee Recreation coordinator Leighton Cooper noted, “ESSER III funding allowed us to remove barriers and create opportunities for our students across every aspect of the educational experience.”

The final report on ESSER III Extracurricular Engagement highlights substantial investments made during the performance period from March 13, 2020, to September 30, 2024. Athletic facility upgrades were among these investments.

The initiative's success relied heavily on support from partners who contributed time, expertise, and resources.