Review Agenda Item
Meeting Date: 12/21/2023 - 5:30 PM
Category: Report of the Committee on Accountability, Finance, and Personnel
Type: Action
Subject: 16. Action on a Request for an Early Start Date for Ronald Wilson Reagan College Preparatory High School, Rufus King International High School, Casimir Pulaski High School, and MacDowell Montessori School for the 2024-2025 School Year
Strategic Plan Compatibility Statement:
Goal 1
Academic Achievement
Policy: Admin Policy 7.03 - School Year/School Calendar
Attachments
File Attachment:
Background: 2001 Wisconsin Act 16 requires school boards to start school terms after September 1, unless a school board submits a request to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) stating the reasons why it would like the school term to start earlier. DPI may grant a request if it determines that there are compelling reasons for doing so.

By approving the Administration's recommendation, the Milwaukee Board of School Directors will move to submit a request to the DPI for an early start date (no earlier than August 1, 2024) for the 2024-25 school year, for Ronald Wilson Reagan College Preparatory High School (grades 9-12), Rufus King International High School (grades 9-12), Casimir Pulaski High School (grades 9-12), and MacDowell Montessori School (grades K3-12). All four schools have requested early start dates for the 2024-25 school year. The request will cite the fact that the post September 1, 2024, start date conflicts with the curricular requirements of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program.

The district made this request on behalf of these schools for the last school year, 2023-24, and it was granted by the DPI.
Fiscal Impact Statement: The item does not authorize expenditures. Ronald Wilson Reagan College Preparatory High School, Rufus King International High School, Casimir Pulaski High School, and MacDowell Montessori School agree to pay any additional costs incurred as a result of this unique school year.
Implementation and Assessment Plan Upon approval by the Board, the Administration will submit a request to the DPI prior to the January 1, 2024 deadline for an early start date for the 2024-25 school year for Ronald Wilson Reagan College Preparatory High School, Rufus King International High School, Casimir Pulaski High School, and MacDowell Montessori School.

The Administration recommends that the Board approve this request for an early start date (no earlier than August 1, 2024) for Ronald Wilson Reagan College Preparatory High School (grades 9-12), Rufus King International High School (grades 9-12), Casimir Pulaski High School (grades 9-12), and MacDowell Montessori School (grades K3-12), and direct the Administration to submit a request to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction prior to the January 1, 2024 deadline, for an early start date for the 2024-25 school year for Ronald Wilson Reagan College Preparatory High School, Rufus King International High School, Casimir Pulaski High School, and MacDowell Montessori School.
Recommendation: Your Committee has forwarded this item without recommendation.
Approvals:
Recommended By:
Signed By:
Jill Kawala - Interim Director/Board Clerk