Committee repeals ordinance creating City‑County Schools Collaborative Committee after co‑chairs recommend dissolution

The Madison Common Council Executive Committee voted unanimously Dec. 9 to adopt an ordinance repealing the section of the municipal code that created the City‑County Schools Collaborative Committee (Reg. No. 90754).

Deputy Mayor Baumel told the committee the co‑chairs of the joint committee had circulated a letter recommending dissolution unless representatives from the county, city or school district came forward by a date certain with concrete work the committee should pursue and a willingness to supply resources. "They did not get a response to that," Baumel said, summarizing the co‑chairs' recommendation that the committee be dissolved.

Why it matters: the committee was established to encourage collaboration among city, county and school officials on cross‑jurisdictional issues. Baumel said staff reviewed whether the committee’s functions should remain in city ownership or be housed within the school district and concluded much of the collaboration now occurs in other forums.

During discussion, Alderman Madison said quorum problems and informal cross‑agency practices had reduced the committee’s usefulness: "it almost seems like the committee in itself was outdated to a degree because folks have figured out how to work across city, county, and school agencies without necessarily" bringing issues to that committee. Alder Tim McKinney described a local example in which parents and officials had to piece together where to raise safety concerns about students walking to school: "Where is the link that when we have problems and we put those problems out to get that feedback?" McKinney said he pursued the issue directly through the school board and transportation staff and urged clearer points of contact going forward.

Procedure and outcome: Alder Govinda Rajan moved to adopt the ordinance repealing section 33.28 of the Madison general ordinances; the motion was seconded by Alder Mikaela and, with no objections, a unanimous vote in favor was recorded.

Next steps and context: Deputy Mayor Baumel and other staff said existing mechanisms — including executive staff team coordination, city transportation and housing committees, and ad hoc safety groups with school representation — will remain available for cross‑jurisdiction work. Baumel said staff can help identify specific communication channels or contact lists so alder members are connected with relevant school board members and operational staff.

The committee did not direct staff to recreate a single replacement body; rather, members emphasized using existing committees and improving alder onboarding and contact lists so elected officials know who to contact about school‑related issues. The committee then moved on to other business and later adjourned.