T. Jaeckle and board members acknowledged the contributions of three outstanding board members who left the board in December 2022. Salli Martyniak, Wajiha Akhtar and Catherine Zdeblick.

Ms. Salli Martyniak, who has been a critical member of One City since its inception, is continuing to support OCS as a member of the Finance Committee. Ms. Martyniak has been instrumental in bringing the dream of One City to fruition. 

Ms. Wajiha Ahktar, parent member who has provided invaluable insight and contributions to the board and to our schools. Wajiha will continue to serve as a member of the Parent Council.

Ms. Catherine Zdeblick, who has contributed to One City in nearly every way possible: as a board member, as a donor and as a volunteer, and who will continue to support the school through volunteer activities. 

Thank you to these three exceptional women. 

The board will thank them in person at an upcoming board meeting.

T. Jaeckle introduced Maddy Niebauer, a member of One City's founding board, who has agreed to serve on the board again, effective February 1, 2023. 

Madeleine (Maddy) Niebauer, a founding Board member of One City Schools, will return, upon Board approval, to our Board of Directors in January or February 2023. Ms. Niebauer came off the Board when we transitioned from a developing Board to a sustaining Board in 2018. Ms. Niebauer founded, V-Chief, one of the fastest growing private companies in the United States. She resides in Madison and is excited to rejoin our Board. You can read a little more about Ms. Niebauer her by clicking here. 

T. Jaeckle reported that the Finance Committee has made the decision to move the review and approval of the previous month's financials a month behind schedule to allow the finance team time to close out each month.

The board will be asked to review and approve financials from November 2022, and will review and approve the December 2022 financials at the February 2023 regular board meeting.

T. Jaeckle stated that we will have a better picture of financials moving forward after we have data from December, showing 6 months worth of finances.

Vendors have been paid in full and all payments are up to date. The Summit Credit Union line of credit was paid off within 24 hours. It is common for schools to have an open line of credit that can be used at any time to cover the gap in per pupil funding payments. 

T. Jaeckle reported that we received $200,000 from Caritas Foundation, toward a total pledge of $400K. We received $100,000 from Ascendium, formerly Great Lakes Higher Education. 

G. Wiseman reported that we received a total of ~ $1MM following our end of year appeal.

T. Jaeckle reported that the Finance Committee received and reviewed the 2022 audit. There were no surprises. Once again, One City Schools has received a clean audit. Because of scheduling issues, Wegner will present the 2022 audit at the February meeting, when board members will be asked to review and vote to approve.

The closing of grades 9 and 10 means that we expect closer to $850,000 instead of $1M for our next per pupil payment.

Madison Teachers Incorporated raised questions in the media about One City's obligation to pay back funds received. G. Wiseman shared a memo with media clarifying the fact that charter schools do not receive a lump sum at the beginning of the school year; rather, independent public charter schools are paid quarterly, based on per pupil counts. Therefore, One City does not owe any funds. 

One City is in complete compliance with the Department of Public Instruction rules around funding. 

K. Caire introduced Carrie Stewart, Founder and CEO of Afton Partners, of Chicago, IL. The Charter School Growth Fund paid for Afton Partners to engage our board in training on charter school finance, using our budget and financial reports.

Board members asked questions around a better understanding of financial metrics for charter schools, information about per pupil spending at comparable charter schools, and what Afton sees as happening in the future around independent public charter school funding.

Ms. Stewart shared information on environmental factors that put fiscal pressure on charter schools and macro factors that affect public schools nationally:

Board members and leadership staff shared their intent to reaffirm and strengthen their commitment and contributions to One City, noting that schools around the state and the country are facing the same challenges. 

Board members will be involved in advocacy efforts. G. Wiseman will be asking for board support in approaching local businesses to help with fundraising efforts. 

Carrie Stewart will share slides with board members. 

G. Wiseman reported that we have reached out to partners who were primarily working with our 9th and 10th grade scholars and they will reallocate their efforts around support of our middle schoolers and the future development of OCPA.