J. Vertz provided an overview of the August 2024 financial statements.

One City Inc ended the month with lower cash flow. J. Vertz stated that the beginning of this fiscal year is tracking very similarly to last fiscal year. 

Accounts payable was higher at the end of August 2024 compared to August 2023 becasue postponed some payments later into the month. 

The first per pupil payment alleviated the cash flow crunch. 

M. Ruffin provided an enrollment update:

At a preliminary student count on September 3, One City enrolled 447 students. As of September 23, One City enrolled 428 students.

We did not lose any students; the difference of 19 students was accounted for by an overlap of registrations in WiseDash.

Seats remain open in grades 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. 

8th grade has been over-enrolled and families are eager for One City to expand into high school.

M. Ruffin cited reasons why families unenroll from One City: housing issues, some families are moving to area where housing is more affordable and some families are returning to neighborhood schools where it is easier for siblings to attend the same school and they have access to transportation by school bus.

J. Krupp asked which enrollment number One City budgeted for the 24-25 school year. K. Caire shared that 100% capacity is 478, and One City budgeted to 95% at 454. We are below the budgeted goal enrollment numbers at 428.

M. Ruffin reported that One City will continue to enroll new Scholars until October 15.

G. Ladson-Billings inquired about recruitment strategies. M. Ruffin shared that One City's Parent Engagement Coordinators are conducting in-person community outreach to improve enrollment across grade levels. One City is also hosting school tours next Thursday and Friday.October 4th and 5th, when MMSD schools are closed.

K. Caire reported that One City will present an updated budget for review prior to the October Board of Directors meeting.

B. Pickett reported that orientation for 5 new staff began on August 21, and the rest of the team returned on August 26. Staff attended the all-staff meeting at the Pleasant T. Rowland leadership campus.

Preschool is off to a strong start to the school year so far, with students welcomed back on September 3rd.

Staff is working to raise funds to update classroom furniture and facility repairs.

B. Pickett met with Rodney Tapp to discuss the possibility of expanding One City Preschool's play space into the green area of the neighboring apartment complex.

J. Krupp will be kept in the loop regarding future conversations about purchasing/leasing the land.

M. Dyslin shared the school year is built around the theme "Finding unity in community" to build teamwork and collaboration among new and returning Scholars.

The volunteer tutor reading program is off to a strong start. 

Staff continues to conduct academic assessments to determine baseline skill levels and inform instruction.

J. Howard asked about the plan for focusing on math during the 24-25 school year. M. Dyslin shared that staff participated in 2 days of professional development centered around teaching mathematics.

Scholars in OCPA are learning to work together and build community. 

J. Clements reported that 81 scholars are currently participating in fall athletics programming.

Coaches receive weekly reports from teachers to ensure Scholars are performing in the classroom and meeting expectations in order to earn playing time

Scholars must show progress and growth in academics and Habits of Character in order to participate in athletics.

C. Hampton shared that One City advocacy entities have been established, with a goal of raising a minimum of $500K. 

One City will continue to hold cross-partisan legislative tours and conduct regular strategy meetings with the advocacy team. 

The team is working with the Wisconsin Independent Charter Schools Association (WICSA) to establish Charter School day at the Capitol in early spring.

N. Fees shared that One City has hired a new Administrative Manager, School Safety Officer, and Manager of External Relations. 

Sara Alvarado, co-founder of the OwnIt: Building Black Wealth provided Board members with an overview of the history of housing in the United States and the Greater Madison community. 

OwnIt piloted its housing program at One City as the mission and demographics aligned perfectly. 

All One City staff and families are eligible to participate in the program which provides wealth building and home ownership courses within a racial justice framework and access to a contingency-free $18K loan to put towards the downpayment of a home. There is no obligation for families to repay this loan. 

17 families have completed the OwnIt program and closed on their homes since 2022. 

OwnIt has raised $875K in private sector funds so far to support future down payments. 

S. Alvarado shared that OwnIt's goal is to support 20 families per year and expand beyond the pilot program with One City Schools. 

K. Caire reminded Board members that One City will celebrate its 10th anniversary at The Sylvee on Thursday, July 10, 2025.

Anthony Brown, Jr. has been hired as Creative Director of Events and will help coordinate small events leading up to July 10th to ramp up towards the 10th anniversary.

Kennan Wood of Wood Communications Group shared that the event is on one day, but we need to amplify awareness of One City in the community and highlight that One City's Scholars are the future. 

K. Wood shared that One City will be inviting individuals to serve on the event host committee. One City Board members will be asked to participate.

Teresa Midthun of McDonald Schaefer provided an update on the capital campaign. The team is currently finalizing all written materials prior to meeting with potential donors. 

T. Midthun stated that planning for the 10th Anniversary Celebration and rolling out the capital campaign are parallel but coordinated efforts.