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

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…