One City Schools
Minutes
One City Regular Board Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday March 24, 2026 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 virtually. Please use the following link:
https://onecityschools.zoom.us/j/87275142442?pwd=VGU5c1BFLy83QnAzekZXY2IxOWJjUT09
Passcode for the meeting is OneCity
Directors Present
B. Curley-Prestine (remote), G. Ladson-Billings (remote), J. Howard, J. Johnson, J. Krupp (remote), J. Parisi (remote), S. Campagna, S. Stroman (remote)
Directors Absent
D. Aguayo, G. Derzon, T. Pedracine
Ex Officio Members Present
K. Caire
Non Voting Members Present
K. Caire
Guests Present
B. Pickett, C. Hampton, G. Wiseman, H. Brandt, K. Key, Kim Anderson, M. Dyslin, M. Ruffin, N. Navarro-Albaladejo, S. Haumersen
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
C.
Approve Minutes from the February 24, 2026 Board Meeting
II. Review and Approval of February 2026 Financials and Update on Status of Single Audit
A.
Review and Approve February Financials
S. Haumersen reported that Spring fundraising remains a priority, with a goal of $2.2M. A final DPI payment of $1,177,838 is expected in mid-June. Once fundraising goals are met, the organization anticipates healthy cash reserves entering the new school year.
B.
Update on Single Audit
III. One City Schools Preschool Expansion Planning Update
A.
Preschool Expansion Planning
B. Pickett reported that preschool enrollment has declined due to several factors, including shifting demographics in the area and reduced Wisconsin Shares funding.
An enrollment push will launch on April 1st.
Expansion planning will be addressed strategically at the upcoming Board retreat.
IV. Enrollment Update
A.
Update on Enrollment for the 2026-27 School Year
M. Ruffin reported that 105 seats are available for the 2026-27 school year. Enrollment marketing materials are currently being developed, and families are actively scheduling tours. An enrollment and staff recruitment event will be held at the Hub on April 9th, with staff and families in attendance. Board members are encouraged to attend.
V. Human Resources Report
A.
Stay Interview Data
K. James reported on the recently concluded stay interviews. Nearly all staff completed a survey indicating their intent to return, followed by an in-person meeting with HR.
Overall, staff expressed strong commitment to the organization's mission and a deep sense of community. Areas identified for improvement include more timely communications and reducing mid-year changes, though many staff noted that changes made this year have positively impacted the student experience. The majority of staff have indicated a desire to return for the 2026-27 school year.
VI. Advocacy Update
A.
Advocacy Update
C. Hampton reported that the March 4th State Senate hearing on SB 818 generated strong legislative momentum. Testimony was provided by representatives from Senator Rachael Cabral-Guervera's office, WAICU, the University of Florida Literacy Institute, Project Read AI, and Founder/CEO Kaleem Caire.
Supporters are urging Governor Evers, Speaker Vos, and Senate Majority Leader LeMahieu to include AB 818/SB 818 in a potential grand bargain on school funding and tax relief.
VII. One City Schools Board of Directors Retreat
A.
Board of Directors Retreat Date
Chair Howard and Vice Chair Campagna reminded board members of the One City Schools Board of Directors Retreat on May 2nd, noting it will be a critical meeting focused on setting the organization's strategic direction. Board members were asked to confirm their availability by Friday, March 27th.
VIII. Department Reports
A.
Department Updates
Written updates are included in the Board packet. Board members with specific questions should direct them to Chief of Staff / External Relations and Staff Secretary to the Board, Gail Wiseman, at gwiseman@onecityschools.org.
The Single Audit has been completed and submitted. The 2026-27 budget process is underway using a zero-based approach, with budget scenarios to be presented to the Finance Committee in April.