MPS spending -- exposed

Want to know what the district is paying whom for what?

Want to know what services your child's school is buying?

It's now available online -- the district's spending can be searched by school, vendor, budget type or other factor.

The database is at on the MPS Web site under Budget & Finance and is labeled “MPS Spending.” The direct link is http://mpsspending.milwaukee.k12.wi.us/

As the district put it in a press release:

No special equipment is required on the user’s part. MPS’ Office of Finance & Operations maintains the database. The records reflect purchases that have been made, and not expenses that are anticipated. Records will show purchases starting with the new fiscal year which began July 1, 2009, and date back to the 2005 fiscal year. Users who have questions regarding the database can e-mail their inquiries to mpsspendinghelp@milwaukee.k12.wi.us