Madison - Taking a tougher stance on Milwaukee school choice this fall, the state Department of Public Instruction has told six schools it will withhold their initial aid payments if they fail to comply with state rules by Sept. 28.
Neighbors say they have never seen students at the home.
Four schools have yet to send the state copies of occupancy permits, issued by the City of Milwaukee, to show their buildings meet health and safety codes for schools. Sending DPI a copy of the permit is a new requirement this year. Two other schools must refund money because of overpayments made by the state last year. Other schools have been paid too much in the past, but this is the first time DPI has demanded refunds from them. State superintendent of schools John Benson sent registered letters this week to all six schools, demanding either a refund of the overpayments from the two schools or a copy of the occupancy certificate from the others, and a spokesman said failure to comply could force some schools to close.