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Meeting Date:
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Category:
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Type:
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Subject:
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4. Action on a Recommendation to Approve the Renewal of the Non-Instrumentality Charter School Contract for Urban Learning Collaborative for Milwaukee Environmental Sciences Academy |
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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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MESA Application for Renewal
MESA Performance Summary
MESA Recommendation
MESA Contract |
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File Attachment:
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Background:
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Milwaukee Environmental Sciences Academy (MESA), located at 6600 West Melvina Street, was established as a non-instrumentality charter school beginning in 2013. MESA is in the last year of a three-year contract term. The current contract is for a maximum of 450 full-time-equivalent (FTE) pupils in grades K4 through 8.
MESA is dedicated to the intellectual, physical, social and emotional growth of all students with an emphasis placed on engaging students in thinking, problem solving, and decision-making allowing students to function in a global society. The goal of MESA is to provide instruction to students through the implementation of expeditionary learning (EL).
In May 2024, the Department of Contracted School Services initiated the Charter School Review Process. On July 29, 2024, representatives from MESA submitted the Charter Renewal Letter of Intent and on August 30, 2024, MESA submitted its Charter Renewal Application to seek renewal of its charter school contract.
On October 29, 2024, the Charter School Review Team (Team) conducted a full-day site visit at MESA. 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 additional responses and information provided by the school. The Team participated in classroom observations and heard testimony of parents, students, and staff.
Based on a thorough review of the evidence provided, the Team recommends a three-year renewal of the non-instrumentality charter school contract with MESA. This recommendation is based on MESA’s focus on EL curriculum, development of data analysis supports, and consistently meeting its financial and organizational performance measures outlined in the contract.
The charter school renewal application, performance summary data, and Team’s recommendation are attached to this item. |
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Fiscal Impact Statement:
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Adoption of this item alone does not authorize expenditures. Pending contract approval, the funds for the charter school contract will be authorized as a part of the annual 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 and representatives of Milwaukee Environmental Sciences Academy, in consultation with the Board’s designee and the Office of the City Attorney, in anticipation of developing a renewed charter contract to be presented to the Board. |
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Recommendation
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The Administration recommends that the Board approve the renewal of a three-year non-instrumentality charter school contract with Urban Learning Collaborative for Milwaukee Environmental Sciences Academy; and 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 Urban Learning Collaborative for Milwaukee Environmental Sciences Academy and to draft a renewed non-instrumentality charter school contract to begin with the start of the 2025-26 school year and end on the last regularly scheduled day of the 2027-28 school year. |
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Approvals:
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Recommended By: |
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Signed By: |
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Lisa Haar - Partnership School Supervisor II |
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Signed By: |
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Bridget Schock - Director I |
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Signed By: |
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Nick Sinram - Director II, Financial Planning and Budget |
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Signed By: |
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Michael Harris - Interim Chief School Administration |
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Signed By: |
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Eduardo Galvan - Interim Superintendent |
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