Madison School District, MS

Instruction Work Group

The Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education's Instruction Work Group meets October 5, 2026, at the Doyle Administration Building. The group will take public input, vote on approving minutes from its September 14 meeting, and hold a discussion and presentation on Focus Area #4: Culture of Connectedness and Well-Being, specifically Strategy #4.1 on strengthening school culture. The meeting ends with a motion to adjourn.

• Public input: written statements accepted via BoardDocs from noon Friday, Oct 2, until 3 p.m. Monday, Oct 5; speakers get 3 minutes each
• Motion to approve minutes from the September 14, 2026 Instruction Work Group meeting
• Discussion and presentation on Strategy #4.1: Strengthening School Culture (Focus Area #4: Culture of Connectedness and Well-Being)
• Meeting held virtually and in person at Doyle Administration Building, 545 West Dayton Street, Room 103, at 5:00 p.m.
• Motion to adjourn

Board of Education Retreat

The Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education holds a retreat on Friday, October 2, 2026 at MSCR West, 7333 W Towne Way. The agenda lists discussion of narrowing policy priorities, clarifying the scope of potential policies, and setting next steps, plus board self-evaluation and goal setting. The board will also vote on whether to enter closed session to consider employment, promotion, compensation, or performance evaluation data of a public employee under Wis. Stat. Secs. 19.85(1)(c). No specific policy text, dollar amounts, or decisions are detailed in the agenda itself.

• Motion to approve minutes from the August 28, 2026 Board of Education Retreat
• Discussion of narrowing policy priorities and clarifying the scope of potential policies
• Board self-evaluation and goal setting discussion
• Motion to enter closed session under Wis. Stat. Secs. 19.85(1)(c) for public employee employment, promotion, compensation, or performance evaluation data
• Discussion item titled 'Building for the Future' (attachment: Building for the Future Board of Education.pdf)

Regular Board of Education Meeting

The Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education meets Monday, September 28, 2026, at 6 p.m. at the Doyle Administration Building, 545 West Dayton Street, in the McDaniels Auditorium and virtually via YouTube. The board is set to vote on a resolution authorizing up to $65,000,000 in temporary borrowing, plus resolutions setting parameters for the sale of up to $160,000,000 in general obligation promissory notes and up to $48,000,000 in bond anticipation notes. It will also consider a $30,000 budget amendment for accessible library doors at East, La Follette, Memorial and West high schools, and a consent agenda that includes $38,124,888.08 in interim bills and $6,117,752.69 in referendum invoices. Much of the agenda is procedural, covering public input rules, minutes approval, and reports from the Instruction and Operations work groups.

• Resolution authorizing temporary borrowing not to exceed $65,000,000 under Section 67.12(8)(a)1, Wis. Stats.
• Resolution setting parameters for the sale of not to exceed $160,000,000 General Obligation Promissory Notes, Series 2026
• Resolution setting parameters for the sale of not to exceed $48,000,000 Bond Anticipation Notes, Series 2026, up to $200,000,000 total with the promissory notes
• Budget amendment of $30,000 (Fund 10) for improved fully accessible library doors at East, La Follette, Memorial and West high schools
• Consent agenda: $38,124,888.08 in interim bills (Aug 9–Sep 14, 2026) and $6,117,752.69 in referendum invoices (Fund 49)

Operations Work Group

The Madison Metropolitan School District Operations Work Group is meeting to discuss and prepare action items for the September 28 regular board meeting. Topics include a proposed sale of general obligation bonds from the 2024 referenda, cash flow borrowing for 2026-27, a compensation study update, transportation, building services, and budget updates. The meeting is largely discussion and presentation, with only procedural actions for approving minutes and adjourning.

• Proposed sale of General Obligation Bond (2024 Referenda, Focus Area 2.4)
• 2026-27 Cash Flow Borrowing (Focus Area 2.5)
• Compensation study update presented by Evergreen LLC
• Transportation discussion with First Student and Safe Routes to School
• 2026-27 budget update including summer school FTE and student registrations

Special Board of Education Meeting in Closed Session

The Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education will meet in closed session to consider employment, promotion, compensation, or performance evaluation data of public employees, as permitted by Wisconsin law. The board will also approve minutes from three prior closed sessions. The meeting is scheduled for September 14, 2026, at the Doyle Administration Building.

• Closed session under Wis. Stat. Sec. 19.85(1)(c) for employee matters
• Approval of closed session minutes from February 9, 2026
• Approval of closed session minutes from April 20, 2026
• Approval of closed session minutes from April 28, 2026

Instruction Work Group

The Madison Metropolitan School District Instruction Work Group will discuss the School Improvement Plan (SIP) through the lens of Focus Area 3: Professional Excellence and Talent Development. The agenda also includes public input procedures, approval of minutes from August 3, 2026, and adjournment.

• Discussion of School Improvement Plan (SIP) under Focus Area 3: Professional Excellence and Talent Development
• Approval of minutes from August 3, 2026
• Public input: written statements due by 3 p.m. on September 14; oral registrations open one hour before meeting
• Meeting held virtually and in-person at Doyle Administration Building, 545 West Dayton Street, Room 103

Board of Education Retreat

The Board of Education will meet for a retreat to discuss policy processes, data reviews, and future planning. Discussions include the Behavior Education Plan framework and 'Building for the Future' draft scenarios based on community feedback.

• Review of Behavior Education Plan (BEP) Ad Hoc Committee framework
• Review of 'Excellence Together' end-of-year data
• Discussion of 'Building for the Future' draft scenarios
• Closed session regarding public employee employment or performance data

The Board of Education held a retreat on August 28, 2026, with most of the day spent in discussion rather than formal decisions. The board approved minutes from a June 25, 2026 retreat (5-0), then discussed policy priorities, a Behavior Education Plan ad hoc committee, student data, and school boundary scenarios. The only other votes were to enter closed session for employee evaluation matters (5-0) and to adjourn at 3:35 p.m. (5-0). No substantive policy or budget items were decided.

• Approved minutes from June 25, 2026 Board Retreat (5-0)
• Entered closed session for employee evaluation matters under Wis. Stat. 19.85(1)(c) (5-0)
• Adjourned meeting at 3:35 p.m. (5-0)

Regular Board of Education Meeting

The Madison School District Board of Education voted to rename Elvehjem Elementary to Ada Deer Elementary (5-1, one abstention), Lindbergh Elementary to Jeffrey Clay Erlanger Elementary (6-1), and Chavez Elementary to Roberto G. Sanchez Elementary (6-0, one abstention). The board also approved a new policy on parent notification for alleged sexual misconduct and reporting of inappropriate staff-student relationships (7-0), ratified a collective bargaining agreement with the Building and Construction Trades Council of South Central Wisconsin for July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 (7-0), and approved revisions to the MMSD Employee Handbook (7-0). A consent agenda containing 26 items was approved unanimously (7-0).

• Approved new policy on parent notification for alleged sexual misconduct and reporting of inappropriate staff-student relationships (7-0)
• Ratified Building and Construction Trades Council of South Central Wisconsin collective bargaining agreement for July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027 (7-0)
• Approved proposed revisions to the MMSD Employee Handbook (7-0)
• Renamed Elvehjem Elementary to Ada Deer Elementary effective 2026-27 (5-1, Maia Pearson nay, Blair Mosner Feltham abstained)
• Renamed Lindbergh Elementary to Jeffrey Clay Erlanger Elementary effective 2026-27 (6-1, Maia Pearson nay)
• Renamed Chavez Elementary to Roberto G. Sanchez Elementary effective 2026-27 (6-0, Maia Pearson abstained)
• Approved consent agenda with 26 items including contracts, purchases, and donations (7-0)
• Approved minutes from July 27, 2026 regular meeting (7-0)

Special Board of Education Meeting in Open Session WORKSHOP

The Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education is holding a special workshop meeting to review initial charter school applications, specifically from One City. The board will also approve minutes from the July 27, 2026 meeting and adjourn.

• Review of One City charter school applications (two applications, 549 KB and 314 KB)
• Approval of minutes from July 27, 2026 special meeting

The Madison School District Board of Education voted 6-0, with Nicki Vander Meulen absent, to accept the initial application from One City Schools and formally invite the school to submit a detailed proposal for administrative review and final board consideration for a proposed opening in Fall 2028. The board also approved minutes from its July 27, 2026 special meeting by the same 6-0 margin. The meeting was a workshop; the vote directs district administration to develop a comprehensive public instrumentality proposal, with further public meetings expected. The board adjourned at 5:23 p.m.

• Approved minutes from the July 27, 2026 Special Meeting in Open Session (6-0, Vander Meulen absent)
• Accepted One City Schools' initial charter application and invited a detailed proposal for Fall 2028 (6-0, Vander Meulen absent)
• Adjourned the meeting at 5:23 p.m. (6-0, Vander Meulen absent)

Citizens' Ad Hoc Committee relative to Renaming Chavez Elementary School

The Citizens' Ad Hoc Committee relative to Renaming Chavez Elementary School will hold a virtual meeting to discuss public comments and take a final vote on recommendations to the Madison Metropolitan School District Board regarding the renaming of Chavez Elementary School. The agenda also includes public input procedures, approval of minutes from August 5, 2026, and adjournment.

• Final vote on recommendations to the Board regarding renaming Chavez Elementary School
• Discussion of public comments and statements
• Approval of minutes from August 5, 2026
• Public input via written statements and oral registrations (3 minutes per speaker)

Citizens' Ad Hoc Committee relative to Renaming Lindbergh Elementary School

The Citizens' Ad Hoc Committee will take a final vote on recommendations to the Board regarding renaming Lindbergh Elementary School. The meeting also includes public input, discussion of public comments, and approval of prior meeting minutes.

• Final vote on recommendations to the Board for renaming Lindbergh Elementary School
• Discussion of public comments and statements submitted for the meeting
• Approval of minutes from August 5, 2026, and July 23, 2026

Citizens' Ad Hoc Committee relative to Renaming Elvehjem Elementary School

The Citizens' Ad Hoc Committee will hold a final vote on recommendations to the Board regarding renaming Elvehjem Elementary School. The meeting includes public input, discussion of comments, and approval of prior minutes.

• Final vote on recommendations to the Board for renaming Elvehjem Elementary School
• Discussion of public comments and written statements submitted for the meeting
• Approval of minutes from August 4, 2026
• Public input via written statements and oral registrations (3 minutes per speaker)

Operations Work Group

The Madison School District Operations Work Group is meeting to discuss and receive presentations on the facilities referendum update, the 2025-26 unaudited Fund 10 balance, the 2026-27 preliminary budget, and the group's scope and sequence. The agenda also includes public input, approval of minutes from June 8, 2026, and adjournment. No final decisions are scheduled on these items; they are for discussion only.

• Discussion of facilities referendum update
• Review of 2025-26 unaudited Fund 10 balance
• Discussion of 2026-27 preliminary budget
• Review of Operations Work Group scope and sequence
• Approval of minutes from June 8, 2026 meeting

The Operations Work Group received updates on the facilities referendum, the 2025-26 unaudited Fund 10 balance, and the 2026-27 preliminary budget. No formal decisions were made on these items; the only actions were approving the June 8, 2026 minutes and adjourning. Discussions included fund balance policy, budget amendment timelines, and future scope and sequence topics.

• Approved minutes from June 8, 2026 (7-0)
• Adjourned meeting at 6:48 p.m. (7-0)

Citizens' Ad Hoc Committee relative to Renaming Lindbergh Elementary School

The Citizens' Ad Hoc Committee is meeting to review public hearing feedback and comments regarding the renaming of Lindbergh Elementary School. The committee will also vote to approve minutes from July 15 and July 23, 2026.

• Discussion of public hearing and comments received to date regarding Lindbergh Elementary School renaming
• Approval of July 15, 2026 meeting minutes
• Approval of July 23, 2026 public hearing minutes

Citizens' Ad Hoc Committee relative to Renaming Chavez Elementary School

The Citizens' Ad Hoc Committee is meeting to review public hearing feedback and comments regarding the renaming of Chavez Elementary School. The body will also vote on approving minutes from July 22 and July 30, 2026.

• Approval of July 22, 2026 meeting minutes
• Approval of July 30, 2026 public hearing minutes
• Discussion of public hearing and comments received to date

Citizens' Ad Hoc Committee relative to Renaming Elvehjem Elementary School

The Madison School District’s ad hoc committee on renaming Elvehjem Elementary met to approve past meeting minutes and set procedures for public input. No decisions were made on the renaming itself; the group discussed how residents can submit written statements or register to speak at future meetings.

• Approved minutes from July 14 and July 23, 2026 meetings
• Established written statement submission window (Fri noon–Mon 3 p.m.)
• Set 3-minute limit for public speakers at meetings

Instruction Work Group

The Madison School District’s Instruction Work Group meets to discuss highlights from summer 2025–26 programming, Freedom Schools, and a draft scope for the 2026–27 school year. The group also follows procedural steps for public input and minutes approval.

• Approval of minutes from June 1, 2026 meeting
• Discussion of summer programming highlights and Freedom Schools
• Presentation of draft 2026–27 Instruction Work Group scope

The Instruction Work Group discussed summer programming highlights, including Freedom Schools, and reviewed the draft 2026-2027 work group scope. They also discussed a new policy on notifying parents about alleged sexual misconduct and inappropriate staff-student relationships. No formal decisions were made; the only action was approving the June 1, 2026 minutes.

• Approved minutes from June 1, 2026 meeting (4-0)
• Discussed Freedom Schools summer program outcomes and operations
• Reviewed draft 2026-2027 Instruction Work Group scope
• Discussed new policy on notification for alleged sexual misconduct

Public Hearing relative to Renaming Chavez Elementary School

The Madison Metropolitan School District is holding a public hearing to discuss renaming Lindbergh Elementary School. The meeting includes time for oral and written public testimony.

• Public hearing relative to Renaming Lindbergh Elementary School

Special Board of Education Meeting in Open Session WORKSHOP

The Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education holds a special workshop to discuss a proposed policy regarding notification to parents of alleged sexual misconduct and reporting of inappropriate staff and student relationships, as required by Acts 57, 88, and 89. The board will also vote to approve minutes from April 20, 2026, and June 15, 2026.

• Discussion and presentation of new policy on notification to parents of alleged sexual misconduct and reporting inappropriate staff/student relationships (Acts 57, 88, 89)
• Motion to approve minutes from April 20, 2026 special meeting
• Motion to approve minutes from June 15, 2026 special meeting

Regular Board of Education Meeting

The Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education meets to consider a consent agenda including $86.2 million in interim bills and $3.8 million in referendum invoices, along with blanket purchase orders for library materials. The board will also vote on resolutions supporting state school funding and greater property tax transparency, and adopt a Disability Pride Month proclamation.

• $86,246,627.50 in interim bills for June 9–July 13, 2026
• $3,812,237.39 in referendum invoices from Fund 49 bond proceeds
• $322,387.00 blanket purchase order to Follett Content Solutions, LLC for library materials
• Resolution in Support of Fund Wisconsin Public Schools
• Resolution Supporting Greater Property Tax Transparency for Madison and Dane County Taxpayers

Board of Education Retreat - CANCELLED

This meeting was cancelled. No decisions or discussions occurred.

Public Hearing relative to Renaming Elvehjem Elementary School

The Madison Metropolitan School District Board will hold a virtual public hearing on July 16, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. to collect community input on renaming Elvehjem Elementary School. Residents may submit written statements online from noon on July 10 to 3 p.m. on July 13, and can register to speak up to three minutes each during the meeting. The board will summarize all statements and retain them in the official record for future consideration.

• Public hearing on renaming Elvehjem Elementary School (Zoom, July 16, 2026, 6:00 p.m.)
• Written statements accepted online July 10, 2026 12 p.m. – July 13, 2026 3 p.m. via BoardDocs portal
• Oral speaking registrations open 15 minutes before meeting; each speaker limited to 3 minutes
• Submitted statements will be uploaded to BoardDocs and summarized in meeting minutes
• No decisions will be made at this hearing; input will inform future board actions

Public Hearing relative to Renaming Lindbergh Elementary School

The Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education is holding a public hearing to receive community input on renaming Lindbergh Elementary School. The hearing includes procedures for both written statements (submitted online July 10–13) and oral statements (up to 3 minutes each). No decisions are being made at this meeting; it is solely for gathering public feedback.

• Public hearing to discuss renaming Lindbergh Elementary School
• Written statements accepted from noon July 10 to 3 p.m. July 13 via the district's naming process webpage
• Oral registrations open 30 minutes before the meeting; speakers get 3 minutes each
• Meeting conducted virtually via Zoom, recorded and posted on YouTube
• All statements become part of the permanent meeting record

Citizens' Ad Hoc Committee relative to Renaming Chavez Elementary School

The Citizens' Ad Hoc Committee for Renaming Chavez Elementary School will approve minutes from July 15, 2026, discuss the ongoing scoring of name proposals, and finalize the list of options to be presented at a public hearing. The meeting also includes procedures for public written and oral input. No final renaming decision is made at this session.

• Approve minutes dated July 15, 2026 (Item 3.1)
• Continue scoring of renaming proposals (Item 4.1)
• Finalize list of name options for the public hearing (Item 5.1)
• Guidelines for submitting written statements and registering to speak (Items 2.1‑2.4)
• Call to order and adjournment (Items 1.1 and 6.1)

Citizens' Ad Hoc Committee relative to Renaming Chavez Elementary School

The Citizens' Ad Hoc Committee will review scores for Batch #1 (names 1-35) and continue scoring Batch #2 of potential new names for Chavez Elementary School. The meeting also includes public input via written statements and oral registrations, and approval of minutes from July 1, 2026. No final decision is scheduled; this is a discussion and scoring session.

• Scoring review for Batch #1 (Names 1-35) as information/discussion
• Continuation of scoring for Batch #2 as information/discussion
• Approval of minutes dated July 1, 2026
• Guidelines for submitting written statements and registering to speak virtually

Citizens' Ad Hoc Committee relative to Renaming Lindbergh Elementary School

The Citizens' Ad Hoc Committee for Renaming Lindbergh Elementary School will review scoring of potential names and finalize a list to be presented at a public hearing. Public input is accepted through written statements and oral registrations. The committee will also vote on approving the minutes from July 1, 2026.

• Approval of minutes from July 1, 2026
• Scoring review of potential new names (discussion)
• Finalize list for public hearing per Board Policy 6700
• Public input: written statements due by 3 p.m. July 13, oral registrations at meeting

Citizens' Ad Hoc Committee relative to Renaming Elvehjem Elementary School

The Citizens' Ad Hoc Committee will review scoring criteria and finalize a list of potential names for renaming Elvehjem Elementary School. The list will be presented at a public hearing. The committee will also hear public input and approve minutes from the previous meeting.

• Scoring review discussion for renaming candidates
• Finalize list of names for public hearing
• Public written statements submitted for the meeting
• Approval of minutes from June 30, 2026 meeting
• Board Policy 6700 referenced in finalization process

Citizens' Ad Hoc Committee relative to Renaming Chavez Elementary School

This is the first meeting of the Citizens' Ad Hoc Committee to rename Chavez Elementary School. The committee will receive an orientation, review Board Policy 6700 criteria, and examine initial renaming proposals submitted via the district's website. The chair will assign the first batch of 35 proposed names for review.

• Review Board Policy 6700 criteria for school renaming
• Review initial renaming proposals and collected public comments (submitted via Elvehjem Elementary renaming website)
• Chair assigns Batch 1 (names 1-35) for committee review
• Public input via written statements and oral registrations (3 minutes per speaker)

Citizens' Ad Hoc Committee relative to Renaming Lindbergh Elementary School

The Citizens' Ad Hoc Committee continues its work on renaming Lindbergh Elementary School. They will review the first batch of 26 proposed names against candidate dossiers and public comments, then the chair will execute low-tier purges under Board Policy 6700. The committee also receives public input and approves prior meeting minutes.

• Review Batch 1 (names 1–26) against dossiers and public comments
• Chair executes low-tier purges per Board Policy 6700
• Public input: written statements and oral registrations accepted
• Approval of minutes from June 24, 2026 meeting
• Reminder of remaining batch assignments (26–51)

Citizens' Ad Hoc Committee relative to Renaming Elvehjem Elementary School

The Citizens' Ad Hoc Committee relative to Renaming Elvehjem Elementary School will review the first batch of 28 proposed names against background dossiers and public comments. The chair will also execute low-tier purges under Board Policy 6700 and remind members of remaining batch assignments (names 29–55). No final decisions are expected at this meeting.

• Review of Batch 1 (names 1–28) against dossiers and public comments
• Chair executes low-tier purges per Board Policy 6700
• Chair reminds committee of remaining batch assignments (29–55)
• Approval of minutes from June 23, 2026
• Public input period for written and oral statements

Board of Education Retreat

The Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education will hold a retreat to discuss several items, including a review of the Behavior Education Plan covering history, stakeholder feedback, and data analysis. They will also discuss collaborative dreaming, committee assignments, building for the future, and the operations work group scope/sequence. The meeting includes approval of minutes from May 22, 2026.

• Approval of minutes from May 22, 2026 Board of Education Retreat
• Discussion of Behavior Education Plan review with history, application, stakeholder feedback, data analysis, and next steps
• Information/discussion on Building for the Future (includes presentation slides)
• Information/discussion on Operations Work Group Scope/Sequence
• Discussion of Committee Assignments and Community Building Activity

The board approved the minutes from its May 22, 2026 retreat and announced committee assignments for the 2026-27 school year. These assignments determine which members oversee district operations, policy, and state advocacy, directly shaping how district decisions are made. Members also reviewed the Behavior Education Plan and discussed proposed revisions to progressive discipline policies. No additional votes or policy changes were recorded.

• Approved May 22, 2026 retreat minutes (5-0)
• Announced 2026-27 committee assignments
• Reviewed Behavior Education Plan revision themes
• Discussed ad hoc policy committee structure