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 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.