Agenda Item
Meeting Date:
3/10/2022 - 5:30 PM  
Category:
ITEMS OF BUSINESS  
Type:
Action  
Subject:
6. Action on a Request to Approve the Non-Instrumentality Charter School Contract with Milwaukee Teacher Education Center, Inc. d/b/a Urban Learning Collaborative for Milwaukee Environmental Sciences Academy (MESA) to Begin with the 2022-2023 School Year and to End with the Last Regularly Scheduled Day of the 2024-2025 School Year.  
Strategic Plan Compatibility Statement:
Goal 1
Academic Achievement
Goal 2
Student, Family and Community Engagement
Goal 3
Effective and Efficient Operations
 
Policy:
Admin Policy 9.12 - Charter Schools  
Attachments:
1. MESA Summary of Contract Modifications
2. MESA Redline Contract
3. Appendix A: Charter School Proposal
4. Appendix B: List of MPS Policies, Procedures and Requirements
5. Appendix C: Charter School Annual Assessment Calendar
6. Appendix D: Charter School Articles of Incorporation
7. Appendix E: Charter School By-Laws
8. Appendix F: Charter School Annual Operating Budget
9. Appendix G: MPS Charter School Budget Format
10. Appendix H: Charter School Parent-Student Handbook
11. Appendix I: Charter School Calendar
 
File Attachment:
MESA Summary of Contract Modifications.pdf
MESA Redline Contract.pdf
Appendix A_Charter School Proposal.pdf
Appendix B_List of MPS Policies Procedures and Requirements.pdf
Appendix C_Charter School Annual Assessment Calendar.pdf
Appendix D_Charter School Articles of Incorporation.pdf
Appendix E_Charter School By-Laws.pdf
Appendix F_Charter School Annual Operating Budget.pdf
Appendix G_MPS Charter School Budget Format.pdf
Appendix H_Charter School Parent-Student Handbook.pdf
Appendix I_Charter School Calendar.pdf
 
Background:
Milwaukee Environmental Sciences Academy (MESA) was established as a non-instrumentality charter school beginning with the 2013-2014 school year. The current contract is for up to a maximum of 500 full-time-equivalent (FTE) pupils in grades K4 through 8. MESA is located at 6600 West Melvina Street.

MESA is dedicated to the intellectual, physical, social and emotional growth of all students with an emphasis placed on engaging students in thinking, problem solving, and decision-making allowing students to function in a global society. The goal of MESA is to provide instruction to students through the implementation of the EL Learning model, formally known as Expeditionary Learning.

On January 27, 2022, the Board approved a three-year renewal for Milwaukee Environmental Sciences Academy (MESA) and authorized the Administration, in collaboration with the Board’s Designee and the Office of the City Attorney, to begin contract negotiations with representatives from Milwaukee Teacher Education Center, Inc. for Milwaukee Environmental Sciences Academy (MESA).

In February 2022, representatives from Milwaukee Teacher Education Center, Inc. d/b/a Urban Learning Collaborative for Milwaukee Environmental Sciences Academy (MESA), the MPS Office of Board Governance, the Office of the City Attorney and the MPS Administration reviewed and negotiated the proposed modifications to the model non-instrumentality charter school contract and agreed to the attached redline contract.

Contingent upon the Board’s approval, MESA accepts the attached non-instrumentality charter contract with the modifications as outlined in the attachments to this item.
 
Fiscal Impact Statement:
The funds for this charter school contract are included as part of the FY23 budget process.  
Implementation and Assessment Plan:
Upon approval, the contract will be effective starting with the 2022-2023 school year and ending with the last regularly scheduled day of the 2024-2025 school year.

A copy of the contract will be forwarded to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
 
Recommendation
The Administration recommends that the Board approve the attached non-instrumentality charter school contract with Milwaukee Teacher Education Center, Inc. d/b/a Urban Learning Collaborative for Milwaukee Environmental Sciences Academy (MESA) to begin with the 2022-2023 school year and end on the last regularly scheduled day of the 2024-2025 school year.  
Approvals:
Recommended By:
Signed By:
Lisa Haar - Partnership School Supervisor II
Signed By:  
Bridget Schock - Director I
Signed By:  
Brian Terrell - Manager I - Financial Planning
Signed By:  
Katrice Cotton, Ed.D. - Chief School Administration Officer
Signed By:  
Keith Posley, Ed.D. - Superintendent