Madison Board of Education Celebrates Student Achievements and Community Partnerships

The Madison Metropolitan School District's Regular Board of Education Meeting on July 28, 2025, commenced with an unusual absence of public comments, marking a rare occurrence in the board's proceedings. Following this, the board unanimously approved the minutes from the previous meeting held on June 23, 2025.

Board President Nichols then acknowledged several notable achievements within the district. Eddie Chen, a graduate of MMSD and West Point, received the prestigious Hertz Fellowship, valued at up to $250,000, to pursue a doctorate in chemical engineering at Caltech. Additionally, La Follette sophomore Najwani Riak was recognized as the seventh best girls basketball player in the nationwide class of 2028 and was selected for the Team USA camp. Gompers Elementary was also celebrated for being named the fittest school by Madison Bike Plus Run.

The board expressed gratitude to various donors, including the Roots and Wings Foundation, which contributed $150,000 to support mental health initiatives, and the Morgan Wallen Foundation, which donated musical instruments valued at $11,293 to Lakeview Elementary School.

Superintendent's updates highlighted ongoing summer programs despite the school break. Notably, UW Madison football players participated in a reading initiative at Leopold Elementary, distributing free books to students. The meeting also celebrated the 50th anniversary of the MSCR Art Cart, a program that provides artistic opportunities to families at no cost.

The MMSD Summer Arts Academy engaged students with local guest artists across various disciplines, while 295 middle school students participated in summer career and technical discovery programs, exploring fields such as engineering and health science.

Finally, Superintendent shared pride in launching Wisconsin's first Freedom School at Mendota Elementary. This program, inspired by the 1964 Mississippi Freedom Summer, aims to uplift students through literacy and cultural identity. The Freedom Schools initiative, which runs through July 31, encourages students to read and express their thoughts creatively.

The meeting concluded with a sense of accomplishment and community engagement, reflecting the district's commitment to supporting its students and fostering educational opportunities.