[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6369070,"mediaKeyId","2155347-8b94baab814e7962f855256e3ac13893","parentId",2155347,"title","Board approves minutes, policy rescind, boundary change and superintendent contract; auditors report clean opinion","audioSeconds",313,"startMs",5205000,"endMs",5518000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2155347-8b94baab814e7962f855256e3ac13893&start=5205&end=5518","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2155347-8b94baab814e7962f855256e3ac13893/thumbnail_5205000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6369070/Wisconsin/Board-approves-minutes-policy-rescind-boundary-change-and-superintendent-contract-auditors-report-clean-opinion","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6369070-649e16428b3d0a0c9abe8ce5347b08e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770992131&Signature=DBFEii2KUU50~CJ9VSI78nabsn2MgaXJBu9JzRMfjj8AbFWeqsYT3Fhc4e4VrQdTvtQoH3e8-jayZM3NRmLHUSFiU6fPOATTmBTVR470FMQLQg5zGGOQNTVcrAQl7EIh~SE5ZJP4IedtsEb3kCZH4yD0lXg38govx1arcR2zWKhPjTre4H8oCNwjtT4kLhutllujBQYkUXU9boDF2uDeeutzEJz1RycIA4sOPOsz4tG~2E2U~JiK74-6XjhBv2qUliOBRvTGuPXe7Ym8U8hQA0z4dch9-TpiLriNX9eQSXseSa2ccgkamYcQGzBSeiwjkjiUG5H3GrRHXeg7csjNNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Madison Metropolitan School District","date","2025-01-28T00:01:59Z","article","The Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education took several administrative actions Monday, approved multiple consent motions, and received a clean audit from external auditors WIPFLI.

Key board actions at a glance
- Minutes approved: The board approved minutes of the Dec. 19, 2024 regular meeting; the motion passed as recorded at the meeting.
- Policy rescission: The board voted to rescind the long‑distance phone calls policy (Policy 2601); trustees said the policy had become obsolete. The motion passed.
- Consent agenda: The board adopted the consolidated motions listed in the electronic agenda for Jan. 27, 2025 as presented; no separations were recorded.
- Boundary change resolution: The board adopted a resolution agreeing to detach specified territory from the Verona Area School District and attach it to MMSD and directed district clerk to file required notices; the resolution cites Wisconsin statute procedures and the board sent a certified copy to Verona and to the state boundary appeal board.
- Other actions: The board approved (a) an application under the administrators retirement plan; (b) open‑enrollment capacity determinations (several specialized programs were declared closed to open enrollment this year and others left open); and (c) authorization to submit a notice of claim in a federal case as listed on the agenda.
- Superintendent contract extension: The board approved a one‑year extension of Superintendent Joe Gothard’s contract through June 30, 2027, effective July 1, 2025.

Financial audit: unmodified opinion, one state reporting issue
External auditors WIPFLI presented the district’s annual financial statements and single‑audit package and issued an unmodified (clean) opinion on the financial statements. Auditor Rob Ganshaw told the board WIPFLI found no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in internal control and no federal noncompliance.

Single‑audit detail and corrective item
WIPFLI identified a single state reporting noncompliance related to special‑education transportation reporting. The auditors said the sampled reporting resulted in an over‑claim for certain special‑education transportation entries that were also reported on the regular transportation table; the estimated overstatement was under $10,000 and the auditors did not record a questioned cost. District staff reported they have implemented additional checks and revised procedures to prevent recurrence.

Fund balance and cash flow
Comptroller Natalie Roo and the auditors reviewed fund‑balance totals and cautioned trustees about cash‑flow timing even though the district closed the year with increased fund balance. Key figures reported by WIPFLI and district staff included an unassigned general‑fund balance of roughly $9.31 million at year‑end and total fund balance of about $115 million. The auditors said the unassigned general fund represented about 18.4% of general fund expenditures on a GAAP basis; the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) guideline cited during the presentation is roughly 17% (two months of operating expenditures) as a minimum target. Board members discussed whether the district’s fund‑balance policy should be revised and how fund balance interacts with short‑term tax‑levy cash borrowing.

Next steps and board comment
Board members thanked the finance team and auditors for a clean audit. Trustees asked staff to return with comparative district data and recommended policy language for review at an upcoming retreat and committee meetings. The board adjourned after approving the motions on the published agenda.

Ending: The board’s actions were procedural and administrative; no new policy on charter authorization or immediate Kennedy Elementary boundary decisions were taken at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","1.27.2025 Regular Board of Education Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education approved several consent motions, adopted a Verona boundary‑change resolution and extended the superintendent’s contract Monday; external auditors issued a clean opinion with one state reporting item noted.","taxTitle","Madison Metropolitan School District, School Districts, Wisconsin","taxId",14857,"location","Wisconsin","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6369074,"Kennedy Elementary staff and parents urge MMSD to fix overcrowding, request trailers or boundary change",403,438000,841000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2155347-8b94baab814e7962f855256e3ac13893&start=438&end=841","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2155347-8b94baab814e7962f855256e3ac13893/thumbnail_438000.jpg","/articles/6369074/Wisconsin/Kennedy-Elementary-staff-and-parents-urge-MMSD-to-fix-overcrowding-request-trailers-or-boundary-change","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6369074-14cc9da9f36ed69204cdc8140e29b06d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770992131&Signature=dD-KBaGY6Q0Uiknt7MBSh-PrR9FR48Pk8QkTmFYatFPHEhSB5KwgijasCDnnn7LM-QdO2bGny-rndb-y6ONBP2MnrmP2ss9Ithv2CLabIBNWaNAEAZ9K1bnAeu6m7buR0yJpCEJHC1PgMKH7Tpz1TIe6YS1V7DLmUhd71jNzsAzZLVR7K1CPYI-lxNVjKNIhfElEcMAlzLMS6DMk9I2JxzqebHXb7El7s~N5jJySxeELZgGtMGnX-wX-MMEW0xBWa2VmR1Xf11KvsyC7~lealAweIZFqBvby9W-XM5hZSmE~pQCYXIAfjw0I6AfEWgFoN24JrpZEmLTma5jH090WMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kennedy Elementary teachers, staff and parents told the Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education on Monday that severe overcrowding and limited instructional space are harming students — including children with individualized education programs (IEPs) — and asked the district for short‑ and longer‑term remedies.

Therapists and parents described crowded rooms, makeshift barriers and classrooms that have been created out of hallways, and they asked the board to authorize short‑term trailers, relocate four‑year‑old (4K) classes to nearby schools with capacity, and reexamine elementary attendance boundaries.

Why it matters: Speakers said lack of space is interfering with legally required services for students with IEPs, creating safety risks for other students, and limiting the district’s ability to provide small‑group instruction and therapy.

What speakers said
Ashley Parker, an occupational therapist at Kennedy Elementary, described students coping with trauma and housing instability and said the school is “severely overcrowded.” She gave a concrete example of a minimally speaking student whose behavior included elopement and property damage, saying the intensive support team had concluded the child needs a “small controlled environment outside of the regular education classroom.” Parker said staff are failing to meet some students’ IEP needs because current facilities make safe, private interventions impossible.

Parent Tiana Clemens said Kennedy houses 579 students in a building listed with a capacity of 540 and that every available corner and hallway has been converted into classroom or instructional space. Clemens asked the board to consider an emergency boundary change for the coming school year if immediate relocation of four‑year‑old classes or temporary trailers is not feasible.

Requested actions and timeline
Speakers asked for a three‑part approach: 1) short‑term placement of trailers to provide intervention and small‑group space; 2) midterm relocation of 4K programs to nearby schools with capacity; and 3) a long‑term reassessment of elementary attendance boundaries to reflect new housing and enrollment trends.

District context and limits
Speakers thanked district investments in staff — including a PBIS coach and social worker — and the transition to community school status, but said staffing gains cannot substitute for physical space. They asked the board to prioritize space solutions so that mandated services can be delivered consistently and safely.

Ending: Kennedy parents and staff framed their requests as urgent safety and legal‑compliance matters, not conveniences. The board did not take an immediate action at the meeting; speakers said they look forward to follow‑up from district staff on possible short‑term remedies.","Kennedy Elementary staff and parents told the Madison Metropolitan School District board that severe overcrowding is harming students, requesting temporary trailers, relocation of 4K classes, and a review of elementary attendance boundaries.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6369080,"Hundreds testify as board holds public hearing on Forward Career and College Academy charter proposal",2717,1079000,3796000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2155347-8b94baab814e7962f855256e3ac13893&start=1079&end=3796","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2155347-8b94baab814e7962f855256e3ac13893/thumbnail_1079000.jpg","/articles/6369080/Wisconsin/Hundreds-testify-as-board-holds-public-hearing-on-Forward-Career-and-College-Academy-charter-proposal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6369080-815f59485ab2927b3ac7fbd467f648c7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770992131&Signature=Jf~kijSS-KURCsKhUJYmLhNQ0QA0fEwi34iPGE-KXoaJGTL~hF4ghCxTxDBqp4ihK-I4f8h0ItlTelYCnZea5N54RNdFLQKs4prVMDqPl1IoSI5P90keWmkg1~svQ6CenJlRsLY6ZN590W5mVxZw1n2K~oBUO7mWZmM7v6mVnwbnB9ph804bGH9fQrzlF2mHDqYIc1uaxIz6phUb746eF0HRMcYZ64KyF6fZ3fSwoaGNPBNlXz0mokMAY9K49eH~5qsp8HJXDL348Cf0FFaUjoS1Wj1zZYiCxuHZLwTJL3mK1EubhyicgeDjBvP1sAgBJvNGX24uQ2nwVp9yj4TnMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hundreds of community members took turns at the mic Monday during a public hearing on the Forward Career and College Academy (FCCA) charter proposal and related workforce partnership, urging the Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education either to support or to scrutinize the plan.

The hearing drew speakers from business, nonprofit and education sectors, as well as parents and students. Michael Johnson, CEO and president of Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County, told the board the proposal is an “instrumentality” charter designed to partner with MMSD and to operate under district rules, including employing unionized teachers and staff. He said the school would pair academic coursework with internships, mentorships and paid work experiences and that Boys & Girls Clubs have signed a memorandum of understanding to support after‑school programming and career development.

Why it matters: Supporters said FCCA would create career pathways in high‑demand trades and industries, expand internship and mentoring opportunities for Black and Brown students, and leverage private and public funding to bring new resources into the district. Opponents said the proposal lacked detail on curriculum, transportation, special education supports and long‑term sustainability, and some expressed concern that the school’s design could segregate students by class or race.

Supporters’ case
John McKenzie, who described his work on the Mackenzie Regional Workforce Center, said FCCA would build on the center’s career training and place “every one of our students on a workplace internship.” Business owners and employers described hiring needs in construction, automotive and other trades and said a career‑focused public school could create a local talent pipeline. Several young people who had taken workforce or apprenticeship programs recounted earning industry certifications and securing jobs soon after participating.

Opponents’ concerns
Katie Bordona, a La Follette teacher who said she has closely reviewed the proposal, criticized FCCA’s governing board and argued the application offered “no curriculum or at least no curriculum they’re willing to elaborate on,” raising questions about how the school would improve math and reading rates or meet students’ mental‑health needs. Bordona argued that charter models historically draw resources away from public schools and warned about fiscal and equity implications.

Several speakers said community engagement by the proposal team was insufficient. April Kigaya, who attended two community sessions, said she was disappointed that organizers “were not able to provide answers to direct questions … specifically around the curriculum, the structure of the school, and the benefit … to African American students.”

Content and governance questions
Michael Johnson and other supporters said the proposal is intended as an instrumentality charter that would operate in partnership with MMSD, follow district rules, and use public and private funding to expand student opportunities. Johnson said FCCA has solicited input from career technical educators and principals and that Boys & Girls Clubs and other partners are prepared to support the model. Opponents disputed that the application demonstrated adequate consultation with MMSD staff and families and raised questions about transportation, the length of the school day, and how special education services would be delivered.

Single issues raised repeatedly
- Curriculum and academics: Critics asked for specific reading and math interventions and a curriculum that clearly addresses academic outcomes.
- Equity and segregation: Some speakers warned the proposal risks tracking low‑income or Black students into trades rather than giving broader postsecondary options; supporters said the school would increase access and choice.
- Governance and sustainability: Several speakers cautioned about reliance on private funds, noting that initial philanthropic support for charter initiatives has sometimes waned over time.

Board response and next steps
Board President Nichols reminded speakers that the hearing is part of the formal review process and that the board would not take action at the meeting. No vote or decision on the charter application was taken Monday; the board said it will consider written comments, the application materials, and staff analysis before any future action.

Ending: The hearing included more than 30 in‑person speakers who addressed the charter proposal and related workforce partnerships; the record will remain open to the extent allowed by the district’s application process and the board’s review timeline.","Dozens of parents, students, business owners and community leaders spoke for and against the Forward Career and College Academy (FCCA) charter proposal and Mackenzie Regional Workforce Center partnership at the Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education public hearing; the board did not take action at the meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves minutes, policy rescind, boundary change and superintendent contract; auditors report clean opinion

Kennedy Elementary staff and parents urge MMSD to fix overcrowding, request trailers or boundary change

Hundreds testify as board holds public hearing on Forward Career and College Academy charter proposal