One City Schools
Minutes
One City Regular Board Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday June 24, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Location
This meeting of the One City Board of Directors will take place in-person, at M3 Insurance, located at 828 John Nolen Dr, Madison. For those outside of Madison, or who are traveling, please use the following link:
https://onecityschools.zoom.us/j/87275142442?pwd=VGU5c1BFLy83QnAzekZXY2IxOWJjUT09
This meeting of the One City Board of Directors will take place in-person, at M3 Insurance, located at 828 John Nolen Dr, Madison. For those outside of Madison, or who are traveling, please use the following link:
https://onecityschools.zoom.us/j/87275142442?pwd=VGU5c1BFLy83QnAzekZXY2IxOWJjUT09
Passcode for the meeting is OneCity
Directors Present
B. Curley-Prestine, C. Gaines (remote), D. Dantzler Jr. (remote), G. Derzon (remote), G. Ladson-Billings (remote), J. Howard, J. Johnson, J. Krupp, N. Wray, S. Stroman (remote), T. Pedracine
Directors Absent
D. Aguayo, S. Campagna, S. Klug
Ex Officio Members Present
K. Caire
Non Voting Members Present
K. Caire
Guests Present
B. Pickett, C. Hampton, G. Wiseman, M. Dyslin, M. Ruffin
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Approve Minutes from the March 25, 2025 Regular Board Meeting
D.
Approve Minutes from the May 27, 2025 Regular Board Meeting
II. Review and Approve May 2025 Financials
A.
Approve May 2025 Financials
J. Vertz reviewed the May financials, noting that cash on hand increased in late May with the receipt of the per pupil funding and funds from the Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation.
The Board was notified of the New Market Tax Credit issue and resolution.
III. Approve the Wisconsin Charter School Program Grant Sub-Budget
A.
Wisconsin Charter School Program Grant
The Wisconsin Charter School Program (WCSP) is a federal grant program that provides funding to support the development and expansion of high-quality charter schools in Wisconsin.
One City Schools was awarded an additional $500,000 in the current fiscal year for the final year of this reimbursable grant. These expenses/revenues would be in excess of the current year approved budget. Per our financial policies, this sub-budget was reviewed by the Finance Committee and is now approved by the board.
IV. Review and Approval of One City Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26
A.
2025-26 Budget Review and Approval
Board members reviewed and discussed the proposed 2025-26 budget. Board member N. Wray requested a budget recap document that includes assumptions and a roadmap for ongoing board review.
- A dashboard-style document will be created to track budget assumptions from the beginning of the school year compared to year-end actuals
- J. Vertz will add a standing agenda item for Finance Committee meetings to review assumption updates
- Assumption updates will present significant changes to the full Board when they warrant board-level attention
V. One City Schools Advocates Update
A.
Advocacy Update
VI. Enrollment Update
A.
Enrollment Update for 2025-26 School Year
M. Ruffin reported that we have a total of 534 spaces and have so far received 615 applications. We currently have a total of 343 returning students and 272 new applications. In some grades, we have waitlists for most grades, with single digit open seats in 3rd, 7th and 8th grades.
VII. One City Schools Rally and Graduation July 2025
A.
July 10, 2025 Rally and July 11, 2025 Graduation Updates
Staff provided a brief update on plans for the July 10th Rally and the July 11th 8th grade promotion.
- Ticket sales are moving and VIP tables have been purchased. Staff and board members will continue to make calls encouraging community members to attend the Rally.
- Board members reported some concerns around issues purchasing tickets/tables.
The 8th grade promotion will be held at TruStage (formerly CUNA), from 2pm-4pm. Steve Goldberg will deliver the key note presentation. Board members are encouraged to attend.
VIII. One City Schools, Inc. Department Reports
A.
Department Reports
Staff gave brief updates on departments, written reports are attached to the agenda and Board members are encouraged to contact department heads or staff secretary to the board with any questions.
K. Caire reported that One City staff are working with our external advocates, supporters and key community partners to have the demonstration school proposal in the final budget, or in a standalone bill passed into law by the Republican legislature and signed by Governor Evers.