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Meeting Date:
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12/17/2020 - 6:30 PM
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Category:
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Report of the Committee on Student Achievement and School Innovation
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Type:
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Action
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Subject:
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2. Action on a Recommendation for Renewal of the Non-Instrumentality Charter School Contract for La Causa Charter School
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Strategic Plan Compatibility Statement:
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Goal 1 Academic Achievement Goal 2 Student, Family and Community Engagement Goal 3 Effective and Efficient Operations
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Attachments
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1. La Causa Application for Renewal
2. La Causa Performance Summary
3. La Causa Recommendation
4. La Causa Contract
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File Attachment:
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Background:
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La Causa Charter School was established as a non-instrumentality charter school beginning with the 2003-2004 school year. La Causa has two campuses located at 1643 South 2nd Street (main campus) and 809 West Greenfield Avenue (early childhood center). The current contract is for up to a maximum of 810 full-time-equivalent (FTE) pupils in grades K4 through 8. La Causa has received a five-year non-instrumentality charter school for each of its previous charter school renewals.
La Causa’s goal is to have students graduate bilingual, biliterate and bicultural. La Causa’s mission is to provide innovative, foundational, and culturally rich academic programs focused on fine arts and vocational education, bilingual education, while engaging the entire family in their children’s educational experience.
In July 2020, the Department of Contracted School Services initiated the Charter School Contract Review Process. On July 15, 2020, representatives from La Causa submitted the Charter Renewal Intent Cover Sheet and, on August 28, 2020, La Causa submitted its Charter Renewal Application to seek renewal of its charter school contract with the Milwaukee Board of School Directors.
On October 15, 2020, the Charter School Contract Review Team (Team) conducted a virtual, full-day, site visit at La Causa. The Team examined the school’s academic, financial, and organizational performance and met with school representatives to discuss the data relative to contract compliance and renewal. The Team also reviewed any additional responses and information provided by the school. The Team also heard testimony of parents and students, and participated in virtual classroom observations.
Based on a thorough review of the school's application and data, school presentation, and site visit, the Charter School Contract Review Team has recommended a five-year renewal of the non-instrumentality charter school contract with La Causa. The recommendation was based on the strong leadership and staff at La Causa, the unique nature of the educational program as exemplified by its STEM programming, fine arts programming and its dual language programming, as well as the strong school community and culture. The Superintendent has reviewed the performance summary and concurs with the recommendation for contract renewal.
The charter school renewal application, performance summary data, and Team's recommendation reviewed by the Superintendent are attached to this item.
The Administration recommends that the Board:
1. approve the renewal of a five-year non-instrumentality charter school contract with for La Causa Charter School; and
2. authorize the Superintendent’s designee, in consultation with the Board's designee and the Office of the City Attorney, to enter into negotiations with representatives of La Causa and to draft a renewed non-instrumentality charter school contract to begin with the start of 2021-2022 school year and to end with the last regularly scheduled day of the 2025-2026 school year.
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Fiscal Impact Statement:
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Adoption of this item alone does not authorize expenditures. School allocations are approved annually by the Milwaukee Board of School Directors as part of the Superintendent's proposed budget. Pending contract approval, the funds for the 2021-2022 charter school contract will be authorized as a part of the FY22 budget process.
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Implementation and Assessment Plan
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Upon the Board’s approval, negotiations will begin between the Superintendent’s designee, in consultation with the Board’s designee and the Office of the City Attorney, and representatives of La Causa in anticipation of developing a renewed charter contract to be presented to the Board.
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Recommendation:
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Your Committee is reporting this item to the Board without recommendation.
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Approvals:
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Recommended By:
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Signed By:
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Jacqueline M. Mann, Ph.D. - Board Clerk/Chief Officer
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