Board approves charter contract renewals; administration to review recruitment language

The Committee on Student Achievement and School Innovation of the Milwaukee Board of School Directors approved two charter contract actions Thursday, authorizing an amendment to Milwaukee College Prep’s non-instrumentality charter contract to add 72 full-time equivalent (FTE) seats and renewing a three‑year instrumentality contract for Alliance School, Inc.

The actions came after administration presented the recommendations and committee members asked for follow-up work on recruitment and contract language. Director Gokul Gandhi moved both approvals and the motions passed on recorded roll calls with five ayes.

Administration summary and seat change Interim Superintendent Eduardo Galvan introduced the item and Bridget Schock Anderson, director of contract to school services, summarized the request to amend Milwaukee College Prep’s contract. Schock Anderson said the amendment would increase Milwaukee College Prep’s authorized enrollment from 2,000 to 2,072 FTE pupils across its four campuses to support recruitment at all grade levels. She clarified that the school is paid based on its actual September and January counts, not the authorized cap.

Board members pressed on recruitment and colocation concerns. Director Leonard asked whether the charter would recruit from MPS traditional schools; Schock Anderson replied that the school would recruit from the general public and that administration does not consider the amendment to authorize recruiting from traditional MPS sites. Director Gokul Gandhi asked that the district revisit non‑compete or colocation language in model contracts after reports that colocated charters have distributed materials to students at traditional schools.

Follow-up direction Committee members indicated agreement to address recruitment/colocation language in future contract work. Administration said it plans a summer board retreat and a separate work session to review charter model contracts and return with recommended language; the committee signaled a consensus to pursue that work.

Renewal for Alliance School Administration also presented a three‑year instrumentality renewal for Alliance School, Inc., covering the 2025‑26 through 2027‑28 school years. Bridget Schock Anderson said administration had produced a redline of the contract, added Department of Public Instruction (DPI) benchmarks and an updated Appendix A that reflects charter review panel recommendations. Director Gokul Gandhi moved approval; the motion passed unanimously on roll call.

Why it matters The charter amendments and renewals authorize enrollment capacity and formalize performance expectations for two charter operators serving MPS students. The committee’s direction to revisit recruitment and colocation language could prompt changes to the district’s model charter contract and affect future charter colocations and outreach practices.

Votes at a glance - Amendment to non‑instrumentality charter contract: Milwaukee College Prep — increase of 72 FTE (from 2,000 to 2,072). Mover: Director Gokul Gandhi. Vote: Ferguson (Aye), Gandhi (Aye), Leonard (Aye), O’Halloran (Aye), Chair Simpson (Aye). Outcome: approved. - Instrumentality charter contract renewal: Alliance School, Inc. — three‑year renewal for 2025‑26 through 2027‑28. Mover: Director Gokul Gandhi. Vote: Ferguson (Aye), Gandhi (Aye), Leonard (Aye), O’Halloran (Aye), Chair Simpson (Aye). Outcome: approved.

What the committee asked next Committee members requested that administration and the office of board governance draft model‑contract language addressing recruiting and colocation concerns and bring it to a summer work session or retreat for board review.