A. Torti reviewed a new rolled-up summary document which will be updated monthly.

Further items of note include:

• A large occupancy expense this month due to a one-time property tax payment.
• One City received its first per pupil allocation payment in September.
• Revenue and cashflow do not match up because they do not account for unpaid pledges 
• Personnel costs have not gone over budget
• A. Torti updates a 4-week cashflow projection on a daily basis to ensure One City does not over extend itself during construction/opening a new school.

W. Akhtar inquired whether One City is eligible for tax exemption status in regards to property taxes. A. Torti explained that One City has applied for tax exemption as of March 2021 and it is likely to be granted. The property tax payment should not need to be paid next year.

W. Akhtar wondered if pledge payments or pledges are included in the summary document. A. Torti replied that the financial statement reflects payments received. 

M. Hanson asked if One City can take advantage of the stock market and create an endowment fund. A. Torti explained that One City does not have much cash to invest right now. K. Caire further explained that One City has an endowment fund through the Madison Community Foundation in the amount of $10,000. 

N. Wray suggested that Madison Community Foundation present to the One City board of directors about endowments sometime in the future.

M. Ruffin, VP of Family and Scholar Engagement reported that we had over 1,000 attendees at the family open house on August 30th.

A new session of FAST beginning on 9/29 for all three schools.

Enrollment (as of 9/14):

Preschool: 0 seats open

One City Elementary School: 6 seats open, will be filled with families on the waitlist

One City Preparatory School: 47 seats open

We are 85.5% full across all three schools

T. Jaeckle asked about families who have left One City since the start of the school year. D. Stephan explained that some families have left for a variety of reasons, including concerns over behavior, moving, and lack of transportation.

K. Caire explained that One City is working to establish order and structure and that scholars are surprised that One City is holding them accountable to rules and expectations that they have not been expected to meet at previous schools.

K. Caire addressed the need for the community to acknowledge what our middle and high school students are dealing with in all area schools and take a community approach to supporting and moving them forward.

L. Holiday, VP of Government Relations reported that she is working with Robb Rauh, Dr. Fuller, and Britney Kinser to start a statewide charter advocacy organization. The group voted to establish a founding board including Kaleem who will represent One City.

We are requesting approval from this organization to move forward with advocacy efforts supported by Charter School Growth fund to strengthen One City's proposal before submission.

L. Holiday attended the superintendent's state of education address. There were no surprises. There will be a request for additional funding for special education, but nothing was mentioned about the teacher shortage. 

G. Derzon asked if One City's chances of receiving additional funding will be hurt if the Charter School Growth Fund funds the charter advocacy group's  efforts. L. Holiday explained that CSGF supports the idea of a statewide organization and is hoping One City will participate.

G. Derzon wondered if the other organizations serving on the charter advocacy organization board also have non-profit status. V. Moran confirmed that they do.

W. Akhtar asked if the other organizations also prioritize racial equity. L. Holiday confirmed that they do.

D. Stephan, Chief Talent Officer reported that two staff members have left so far, a 4th grade lead teacher, and a high school humanities teacher.  A replacement 4th grade teacher begins next week and we have a strong candidate in the interview process for the humanities teacher. 

HR conducted a staff pulse survey and learned that staff are enjoying the 4-day work week, and feel that they have all the materials they need to be successful. Some staff have reported that it has been challenging to forge relationships with families as they grapple with behaviors. 

W. Akhtar asked if staff feel supported on the days that their team members are off in the 4-day work week. D. Stephan explained that the HR team were very open with candidates during the interview process and that those who are still here are strong and up for the challenge. The talent team will survey staff again at the end of October and report those results.

T. Pedracine-Stewart asked how teaching staff can build in time to develop relationships with families. D. Davis explained that the OCPA team has a quarterly goal around building positive reach outs and connecting with families about scholar behaviors so that families are not only hearing from One City when something is wrong. Staff are balancing addressing problem behaviors to keep the community safe with lifting up positive moments.

N. Wray spoke to the importance of onboarding new families as it relates to setting a tone in the school. 

W. Akhtar asked about expulsion requirements. D. Davis explained that the family handbook lists "level 4 infractions" which led to a discussion about expulsion. K. Caire stated that staff are also taking detailed notes about behaviors and steps taken as a consequence.

C. Zdeblick said that over time One City will attract families who are looking for structure and order once the tone is set.

M. Dyslin stated that she focuses on the scholars who show integrity and compassion instead of spending her time telling scholars what they should not do.

W. Akhtar asked if learning assessments have been done for OCPA students. D. Davis reported that the staff have completed MAP and STAR assessments.

W. Akhtar asked if it would be helpful for her husband, a former prosecutor, to come in and speak to OCPA scholars.