Conversations about a potential takeover of the Milwaukee Public Schools continue, with politicians considering ideas ranging from letting the mayor run it to creating a pseudo MPS czar.

Last week, the Public Policy Forum released a report that looked at other cities with mayoral control over the school system. Mayor Tom Barrett hasn't entirely dismissed the idea, which was entertained by former Mayor John Norquist some time ago.

Another pitch would have the mayor appoint a "chancellor," and that chancellor would appoint the school board.

The Common Council committee will consider a resolution that the state change the law to abolish the superintendent post and have MPS employ a "chief executive officer." The CEO would be elected and four-year terms would run concurrent with those of the mayor and school board. Terms would be no longer be staggered, as they are now.

Ald. Willie Hines advocates the latter plan and recently released a rather lengthy justification for his plan.

"We have absolutely no say in the quality of education for which our constituents are paying double-digit tax increases," Hines said. "If we want to have a world-class city, then the City of Milwaukee must have some 'skin in the game.' ... No matter who is running the store, we have to have the right tools in stock for our students and character education should be a cornerstone of efforts to transform MPS."

Hines says he is not advocating a takeover of MPS, just a little tweak.

"If the political will to carry out a change in governance does not exist, then other options must be carefully considered," he said. "My intent is to hold off any talk of an MPS takeover for as long as possible, and I plan to do so by working to bring estranged members of the community back into the fold. ... The City of Milwaukee must step into the fray and demonstrate a willingness to fight for its own future."

And then there's Ald Bob Donovan's idea to have Gov. Jim Doyle step in to help out in one school. Donovan sent out an open letter to Doyle after last week's "melee" at Bradley Tech, the scene of a number of prominent skirmishes of late.

"The way Bradley Tech has degenerated is an insult to the tens of thousands of proud graduates of the former Tech, which served as a model school in Milwaukee for decades," he said. "I am proposing that Bradley Tech be closed at the end of this school year so that we can start over."

Donovan says he wants to create "a true technical high school," where students would take tests to get into the school and take a strict regimen of computer and technical courses.

"I believe that is the kind of Bradley Tech we should create, because the current one is a disgrace that is likely causing Jane Pettit to turn over in her grave," concludes Donovan.

Pettit donated most of the money to build the new Bradley Tech as an innovative technical school, but it has been mostly mired in poor performance and bad publicity.

Cop Suit: Another month and another Milwaukee police-related lawsuit is proposed for settlement. But at least this time it's not related to the Frank Jude case. This one involves an unlawful arrest and could cost the city $35,000.

According to city attorney's office: Schalanda Long claims she was unlawfully arrested after filing a complaint that she was robbed at an automated teller machine. The responding officers, Detective Madrina De La Cruz and Officers Denmark Morrison and Roger Walker, said video from the machine was inconclusive that she was confronted at a bank on 35th and Vliet Sts. They cited her for obstruction. After reviewing tapes from a better video machine, they found Long had been confronted. No charges were filed.

But Long sued in federal court, where she argued that her rights had been violated since there was no evidence of probable cause. A judge in September agreed the case should go to trial.

The city attorney advised the Common Council that it would cost at least $50,000 if the city went to trial and lost, so the office tossed out the figure of $35,000 to settle. A council committee is scheduled to deliberate this week.

The Saga of the Depressed Manhole Cover: Get ready for a new term in the continued deterioration of our city's infrastructure during winter. It's called "depressed manholes," and if you hit one it can be worse than hitting a pothole - which also are hard to avoid. The continued popping up (or down, as it were) of the sinking manhole cover may soon ad another term to the urban vernacular-- "the manhole weave."

Brass from the Department of Public Works have been called in front of aldermen this week to explain the proliferation of the depressing features and what they're going to do about it. This new favorite topic of drivers will be preceded by those same DPW officials explaining what they're doing about those ever-present potholes as well.

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