Abughrin v Milwaukee School Board & City

Case Overview

Case Name: Abughrin v Milwaukee School Board & City of Milwaukee
Type of Case: Individual Liberties
Court: Milwaukee County Circuit Court
Case Number: 38519
Filed On: 10/08/2024
Current Status: Because of WILL's efforts, SROs are now placed in Milwaukee Public Schools.

Meet The Client

Charlene is a parent with a child enrolled in a school under the direction of the Milwaukee Board of School Directors, has a clear legal right to have school resource officers present in her child’s school district. There is substantial risk to her and her child’s safety due to Defendant’s inaction, and she has no other adequate remedy at law.
Lawyers

Lauren Greuel

Associate Counsel
[email protected]

Lucas Vebber

Deputy Counsel
[email protected]

Adopted in 2023, Wisconsin Act 12’s primary focus gave the option of a sales tax increase for both the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County, but it also did more. As part of Act 12, state law was amended to require that MPS “shall ensure that no fewer than 25 school resource officers are present at schools within the district during normal school hours,” and that the school resource officers are available during certain additional time periods and events. The law requires the SROs be in place no later than January 1, 2024.

The statute defines an SRO as a law enforcement officer who is deployed in community-oriented policing and is assigned full-time collaboration with the school district. A law enforcement officer is defined as a person employed by the state or a political subdivision of the state to detect and prevent crime, enforce laws or ordinances, and is authorized to make arrests for such violations. WILL is suing so that law is upheld and followed.

Press Release

  • Judge Holds City of Milwaukee in Contempt (3/4/2025)
    By: Pat Garrett
    - On February 27, 2025, Judge David Borowski held the City of Milwaukee in contempt of court for failure to comply with a Writ of Mandamus which commanded the City to take all steps necessary to comply with state law and ensure the legally required number of School Resource Officer (SROs) were available to Milwaukee Public Schools. This represents yet another significant legal victory for students and parents demanding true accountability in local government.
  • Judge Orders Milwaukee Public Schools to Comply with the Law (2/18/2025)
    By: Pat Garrett
    - A Milwaukee judge has granted a writ of mandamus from WILL and ordered School Resource Officers (SROs) in Milwaukee schools by February 27th. Per the judge, MPS is to pay 50% of the cost of the SROs, splitting costs with the city of Milwaukee. WILL filed a lawsuit late last year on behalf of a Milwaukee mom.
  • Judge Orders Milwaukee Public Schools to Follow the Law and Hire Safety Resource Officers (1/23/2025)
    By: Pat Garrett
    - WILL won a significant legal victory against the Milwaukee Public School District (MPS) as a judge denied MPS’ motion to dismiss and granted WILL's application for an alternative writ, ordering MPS to comply with Wisconsin law and provide the legally required number of School Resource Officer (SROs) in all public schools no later than February 17th.
  • Parents Fight MPS to Protect their Children in School, Demand District Follows the Law (10/8/2024)
    By: WILL Comms
    - The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty has filed a lawsuit seeking a writ of mandamus on behalf of several parents in the Milwaukee Public School District. This civil action seeks to hold the Milwaukee Board of School Directors, which oversees MPS, accountable for failing to provide the number of school resource officers state law requires in order to protect MPS schools and students.
Case Documents

Filing for Writ of Mandamus, October 2024
Judge’s Order, January 2025
Judge’s Order, February 2025
Judge’s Order, March 2025