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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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3. Action on a Recommendation for Renewal of the Non-Instrumentality Charter School Contract for Milwaukee Excellence 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. Milwaukee Excellence Application for Renewal
2. Milwaukee Excellence Performance Summary
3. Milwaukee Excellence Recommendation
4. Milwaukee Excellence Contract
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File Attachment:
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Background:
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Milwaukee Excellence Charter School was established as a non-instrumentality charter school beginning with the 2016-2017 school year. Milwaukee Excellence is located at 4950 North 24th Street. The current contract is for up to a maximum of 600 full-time-equivalent (FTE) pupils in grades 6 through 10. This is Milwaukee Excellence’s first renewal cycle.
Milwaukee Excellence’s mission is through rigorous academics and character essential for success, to educate 6th through 12th grade students to excel within and graduate from four-year colleges and pursue the professions of their choice. Milwaukee Excellence’s vision is to use a slow growth model, growing one grade at a time. Milwaukee Excellence seeks to provide a high-quality education for the most vulnerable populations in our community, to offer a whole child education with a focus on STEM, coding, and computer science, as well as advance placement courses.
In July 2020, the Department of Contracted School Services initiated the Charter School Contract Review Process. On August 3, 2020, representatives from Milwaukee Excellence submitted the Charter Renewal Intent Cover Sheet and, on September 16, 2020, Milwaukee Excellence submitted its Charter Renewal Application to seek renewal of its charter school contract with the Milwaukee Board of School Directors.
On October 19, 2020, the Charter School Contract Review Team (Team) conducted a virtual, full-day, site visit at Milwaukee Excellence. 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 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 Milwaukee Excellence. The recommendation was based on the academic achievement and its commitment to data-driven growth. Milwaukee Excellence is diverse and dedicated with strong leadership and staff to provide educational offerings in a safe, family-centered environment. 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 for Milwaukee Excellence 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 Milwaukee Excellence 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 Milwaukee Excellence 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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