One City Schools
Minutes
One City Regular Board Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday October 28, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Location
3rd Floor Conference Room
1707 W. Broadway
Madison, WI 53713
This meeting of the One City Board of Directors will take place in-person, at the Pleasant T. Rowland Leadership Campus. 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., G. Ladson-Billings (remote), J. Howard, J. Johnson, J. Krupp, S. Campagna, S. Stroman, T. Pedracine
Directors Absent
D. Aguayo, G. Derzon, N. Wray, S. Klug
Guests Present
G. Wiseman
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Approve Minutes from the September 23, 2025 Regular Board Meetings
II. Introduction of Joe Parisi, Potential One City Schools Board Member
A.
Approval of Board Member Joe Parisi
III. Introduction of Christopher Daniels and Review and Approval of September 2025 Financials
A.
Introduction of Christopher Daniels, Charter School Business Management
Board members were introduced to Chris Daniels, Senior Financial Manager with Charter School Business Management (https://csbm.com/), who is working with One City during the search for a Chief Financial Officer to support financial operations.
B.
Review and Approve September 2025 Financials
C. Daniels presented the September 2025 financials, noting the following:
- A shortfall exists due to lower-than-projected enrollment numbers
- The shortfall will likely be addressed by leaving some open positions unfilled
- Total fundraising to date exceeds $3 million
C. Daniels reported that the audit is in process; however, the single audit will be delayed due to continued wait for final guidance from the federal government.
Board members thanked C. Daniels for the improved financial reports.
C.
Vote to Approve Account Signatories
Board members approved the removal of the former Director of Finance and former Board Treasurer as signatories on One City's bank accounts.
Board members approved the addition of the following individuals as authorized signers:
- Kennedy James, Chief People Officer
- Sarah Campagna, Board Treasurer
- Gail Wiseman, Chief of Staff/External Relations
- Kaleem Caire, CEO (retained as signer)
The board noted that signatory authority may be amended upon the hiring of a Chief Financial Officer.
IV. Advocacy Update
A.
Update on One City Schools Advocacy Efforts
Board members were updated on recent conversations with legislators regarding support for bill recognizing the establishment of a demonstration school, along with a report of Congressman Marc Pocan's recent tour of One City Schools.
V. Department Reports
A.
Department Updates
B. Pickett reported that One City Preschool continues to experience minimal staff turnover. The school recently received positive feedback from Terri Strong, Child Care Specialist and Early Childhood Care and Education Consultant at the City of Madison.
One City Elementary School (OCES) and One City Preparatory Academy (OCPA) are demonstrating strong academic growth again this year. Detailed results are embargoed by the Department of Public Instruction until November 11th and will be shared with the Board at that time.
K. Keys reported that One City has launched the 10-week First Tee program, which serves 10 scholars and integrates golf instruction with reading improvement activities.
N. Navarro shared that the search for an Executive Chef has concluded successfully. One City is pleased to welcome Chef Davion Lewis to the team.
VI. Vote to Move to Closed Session
A.
Vote to Move to Closed Session
VII. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
Meeting was adjourned from closed session, as no vote was called.
Joe Parisi has agreed to join the One City Schools Inc. Board of Directors. Mr. Parisi brings extensive public service experience to the Board, having served as Dane County Executive from 2011 to 2024.
A lifelong Dane County resident and graduate of UW-Madison with a degree in sociology, Mr. Parisi has dedicated his career to public service and ensuring that everyone in Dane County has access to opportunity.