A bill working its way through the Wisconsin Legislature could hand a Madison charter school a sizable per-pupil funding bump at a time when many districts say state aid is already stretched thin. The proposal would create a new "demonstration" charter-school category and attach an extra $6,863 per student, roughly a 55% funding boost, to whichever operator qualifies. For now, all eyes are on One City Schools, a Madison-area independent charter that supporters describe as an innovation hub and critics see as a drain on traditional public schools, as reported by AB 818.
What AB 818 Would Do
AB 818 would let the University of Wisconsin System’s Office of Educational Opportunity designate a qualifying independent charter as a "demonstration" school if it takes part in a longitudinal study, offers professional development, shares best practices and maintains community partnerships. Under the bill, the designation would come with an additional $6,863 per pupil, about a 55% increase from current charter funding levels, and the program would be open to any OEO-authorized school that applies, according to AB 818.
Why One City Is At The Center
One City Schools founder and CEO Kaleem Caire told lawmakers the network serves mostly Black and brown students and frequently relies on private fundraising to cover budget gaps. He said the organization serves about 400 scholars plus roughly 80 preschoolers and described the student body as roughly 94% students of color, about 70% living in poverty and 17% receiving special-education services, testimony reported by Wisconsin Examiner. One City’s website lists its headquarters on West Broadway and its preschool on Fisher Street in Madison, details the school has used to argue for expanded state support; more on the charter network is available at One City Schools.
Pushback From Teachers And Democrats
State education advocates pushed back at the hearing, arguing that carving out special funding for a single charter operator would worsen inequities. The Wisconsin Education Association Council labeled AB 818 a “funding windfall” for an operator it sees as less accountable, and several Democratic lawmakers submitted testimony warning the measure could deepen segregation, according to Wisconsin Examiner.
What Comes Next
The Assembly Colleges and Universities Committee scheduled AB 818 for a vote on Tuesday following a Jan. 28 public hearing, and sponsors said the new designation could serve as a way to pilot and then spread successful classroom practices statewide. Supporters have pitched the plan as a teaching-hospital style model for education, while opponents argue the state should focus on raising general per-pupil aid instead of crafting special programs. The bill text and related committee materials are posted on the Legislature's website. AB 818 includes the program details and fiscal estimates.
State Budget Pressure
Critics also pointed to the broader budget backdrop in Wisconsin, noting that the most recent state budget kept general per-pupil aid largely flat and many districts saw certified aid drop for 2025-26. Reporting and state data reviewed by Urban Milwaukee show that a majority of school districts received less general aid for 2025-26, a detail that surfaced repeatedly in testimony against creating targeted funding carve-outs.
