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Education recommendations > Implement best practice governance for charter schools

Implement best practice governance for charter schools​

Establish a new authority to disburse federal and state funds to independent charter and private schools in the MPCP to best serve all students.​​
​
Resources, public and private, are not being optimized in the interests of the students. With half the students in MPS and half outside of it -- and students matriculating in between each of these options – Milwaukee (and the state of Wisconsin) would benefit from  a structure that best serves all students.  

This reality is complicated by the tug of war over resources that still flow based on the K-12 system of 25 years ago. This system has stymied a consistent and overarching approach to the reality of how education is delivered in 2022. A vibrant example of this was seen during the pandemic in serving the needs of all students. While well-intentioned, the City Health Department’s approach to health care guidelines for schools assumed all schools operated like those in MPS. In practice, those not in MPS had to organize on their own to make their case to reopen for in-person learning. 
​
In another example, MPS authorizes charter schools, grants access to facilities, and provides some basic school services. However, in practice it draws additional resources from the schools it charters to support its overall operations. The 2018 Wisconsin Policy Forum report, “A Teachable Moment” concluded that, “when (MPS) administrative fees and supplemental payments are considered, MPS skimmed and saw an average positive gain of $2,243 per student, which it used to support district-wide costs.” The differences in perspective permeate decisions around governance.
Separate Local Education Agency needed
In Milwaukee, MPS operates as the local education agency (LEA) for the city. This includes all independent charter and private schools in MPCP. Creating a separate LEA for charter and choice schools would ensure that these schools receive 100% of federal and state “pass-through” funds while also freeing schools of third-party vendor markups and the rent-seeking that occurs.

New providers and replication of the highest-performing schools in the city have lagged for many reasons, including per-pupil funding and access to school facilities. These reforms could change the landscape and have immediate impact 
on schools.
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Establish a new local education agency (LEA) and implement best practice governance models
  1. Create a new LEA for independent public charter and private schools in the MPCP.
  2. Create an independent charter school authorizing board. 
  3. Prohibit authorizers from mandating procurement services and mandating the use of vendors or providers for those services.
  4. Enhance the autonomy for instrumentality charter schools by giving governing boards hiring/firing and bargaining authority. 
  5. Require all authorizers to adopt and publish a model charter contract and charter school performance framework and identify what provisions are negotiable by schools.
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  • JOIN
  • Membership
    • The benefits of joining
    • Member directory >
      • Member Spotlights
      • Talent Solutions Directory
    • What we do >
      • Talent >
        • Ranking Milwaukee County Schools
        • Education recommendations
        • Technology Education & Literacy in Schools (TEALS)
        • Career-based learning experiences
      • Growth
      • Livability
      • Equity
      • Peer metro comparison
    • Cost saving programs >
      • Health insurance plan
      • Office supply discount program
    • Events >
      • 2021 All Member Meeting
      • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Summit
      • Talent Solution Series
      • Emerging Leaders Series
      • Global Business Insights Series
      • Member Orientation
      • Replay: The Business of MKE Series
      • Replay: Race Bridge Series
    • For members only >
      • Fall 2022 Impact Report
      • Sponsorship
      • Advertising
    • Need more info?
  • Networks
    • Leadership Council
    • President's Huddle
    • Executive roundtable program
    • FUEL Milwaukee for young professionals
    • Future 50 Awards Program
    • Networking Forum for referrals
    • Region of Choice Initiative
    • Roundtables for high-growth companies
    • World Trade Association
  • Advocacy
    • 2021-2022 Legislative Scorecard >
      • Senate Votes
      • Assembly Votes
    • Recent Legislative Wins
    • Funding Local Governments
    • Miller Park economic impact study
    • Wisconsin State Legislature
    • K-12 Education Recommendations
  • Economic Development
    • Milwaukee 7 Partnership for Economic Development
    • MKE Venture Mentoring Service
    • Milwaukee Development Corp. >
      • Rebuild & Revitalize Program
    • Milwaukee Urban Strategic Investment Corp. (MUSIC)
    • Milwaukee EB-5 Visa program
    • Starting a business >
      • BizStarts
      • New business planning guide
  • Metro MKE
    • 2022 Navigate Business MKE
    • Business outlook survey
    • Economic trends
    • Local media listings
    • Major employers in metro Milwaukee
    • Metro Milwaukee demographics
    • Order a publication
    • Relocating a business
  • About
    • Board of directors
    • Career Opportunities at MMAC
    • Staff
    • Milwaukee Commerce magazine
    • Press releases
    • Members of the media >
      • Recent Media Coverage
    • Scholarships for minority students