One City Schools
Minutes
One City Regular Board Meeting
Date and Time
Tuesday July 28, 2020 at 4:00 PM
Location
Normally, we will meet at One City Schools, 2012 Fisher Street, Madison, WI 53713. However, due to COVID-19, we will meet by Zoom conferencing for this meeting.
Directors Present
C. Gaines (remote), G. Derzon (remote), G. Ladson-Billings (remote), J. Krupp (remote), L. McDonald (remote), N. Wray (remote), R. Beckman (remote), S. Martyniak (remote), T. Pedracine (remote), W. Akhtar (remote)
Directors Absent
J. Pope-Williams, T. Balsiger
Ex Officio Members Present
K. Caire (remote)
Non Voting Members Present
K. Caire (remote)
Guests Present
C. Hodge (remote), D. Stephan (remote), F. D'Abell (remote), G. Wiseman (remote), J. Tormey (remote), L. Allen (remote), M. Ruffin (remote), V. Ramakrishnan (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Record Attendance
B.
Call the Meeting to Order
N. Wray called a meeting of the board of directors of One City Schools to order on Tuesday Jul 28, 2020 at 4:00 PM.
C.
Approve Minutes
R. Beckman made a motion to approve the minutes from.
S. Martyniak seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
II. UW System Office of Educational Opportunity (OEO)
A.
Aaron Seligman, Director, will introduce himself to newer Board members and discuss the role of OEO with the Board.
Mr. Seligman introduced himself to new members and discussed the role of his office. He discussed the introduction of 'Epicenter" a new program which will record accountability data related to our school, such as reports due to the state.
III. Financial Report/Review
A.
Finance Chair Robert Beckman will review the overall financial condition of One City as it completes the 2019-2020 Fiscal Year
Finance Chair Bob Beckman reviewed the financial condition in closing out the fiscal year in a strong position while recognizing the continued need for strong fundraising. Board Member Salli Martyniak congratulated Kaleem for his efforts to secure resources from high net worth individuals and asked the record reflect this.
IV. One City Parent Board Member Input
A.
Members of the Board who are also One City parents will have an opportunity to share an update with the full Board.
*This was moved the foot of the presentation about reopening so parents had the benefit of hearing plans prior to presenting.
Parent Board member Toya Pedracine indicated parents are thankful for the opportunity to present at meetings. They had recently polled parents about their priorities and concerns, and most were related to reopening and how to do so successfully during Covid. There were be a lot of new routines for parents to adapt to.
It should be noted that there were 54 people on the zoom meeting, many of whom were One City parents.
Parent Board member Toya Pedracine indicated parents are thankful for the opportunity to present at meetings. They had recently polled parents about their priorities and concerns, and most were related to reopening and how to do so successfully during Covid. There were be a lot of new routines for parents to adapt to.
It should be noted that there were 54 people on the zoom meeting, many of whom were One City parents.
V. Annual Budget
A.
Kaleem and staff will update the Board on current state of budget development in preparation for Board passage in August.
CEO Kaleem Caire discussed the detailed work being completed on the annual budget, noting the significant changes that would occur as a result of Covid expenses, such as PPE equipment, and fluctuations that might occur in enrollment either virtually or in person. Once the Board is generally on board with reopening plans, the budget will be revised for presentation in August.
VI. New Facility
A.
Kaleem and staff will update Members on the current state of the proposed facility.
Kaleem discussed the status of negotiations on leasing a new facility. Size, space, and location are promising and would support the school both during Covid-19 as well as for growth of the school long term. The goal will be to complete negotiations in time for the next Board meeting on the 25th and to move children into the new facility as soon as possible, hopefully in time for the new school year.
VII. Executive Update
A.
Kaleem and leadership staff will give a brief update on the status strategic summer planning and other activities he and One City staff are planning for the 2020-2021 school year.
CEO Kaleem Caire and Principal Faren D'Abell presented a draft reopening plan. This detailed powerpoint included health and safety considerations, location challenges, staggered opening and closing schedules, plans for virtual learning. The team addressed several questions from Board members, including from Board members who are also parents. This plan will be shared with parents later in the week, followed by donors. The plan will continued to be refined as developments related to Covid change.
VIII. Other Business
A.
Recognition of Vivek Ramakrishnan
Kaleem and the Board recognized Vivek for his contributions to the school's creation and implementation. A scholarship was initiated in his honor for graduate school.
IX. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 6:15 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
N. Wray