CSDC Boarding Pass

#10: Moving Charter Schools into Decade Four with Ting Sun

From innovation to regulation, discover how California's charter school movement has evolved and where it's heading in this revealing episode of Boarding Pass. Host Caitlin O'Halloran Hellar and charter pioneer Dr. Ting Sun explore the shifting landscape of charter education, from its original mission of innovation to today's complex reality. Learn how charter boards can navigate changing expectations while staying focused on their schools' core mission and student success. 

#9: Roles and Responsibilities of Board Members with Malka Borrego

Charter school governance comes with great responsibility.  It’s easy for board members to feel inundated with expectations and they might wonder what their most important roles are. In this episode of Boarding Pass, we hear from Malka Borrego, a charter school founder and the founder of MB Consulting Company as she breaks down the most important duties of board members and underscores the vital role board members have part of a charter school governance team. 

#8: Overview of Ethics and the Brown Act with Jennifer McQuarrie

Understanding California’s Open Meeting Law, the Ralph M. Brown Act is complicated and high stakes.  In this episode, Jennifer McQuarrie,  a leading expert in California on charter school policy and legal issues, shares her insight and thoughts about the Brown Act including common governing board pitfalls. 

#7: Human Resources: How Involved Should Board Members Be? With Laura Regan of Rocklin Academy Family of Schools

After years of working in both private and public sectors within human resources, Laura Regan currently serves as the Director of Human Resources at the Rocklin Academy Family of Schools.  In this episode, Laura discusses a charter school board member’s roles and responsibilities when it comes to human resources. She also emphasizes the value of comprehensive goal setting for and evaluation of a school’s lead administrator.   

#6: Deep Dive into Monitoring Student Achievement for California Charter School Board Members with Vanessa Garza of GALS LA

Board members should make data-informed decisions in both school finance and in supporting student success.  But that data can be voluminous and confusing. Join Caitlin O’Halloran Hellar and GALS Executive Director, Vanessa Garza as they define assessment terms and types, talk about effective practices for board presentations and even consider some questions board members might ask when the data is presented to them.  
Show notes:  
For the free powerpoint deck covering the topics discussed in this podcast, go to chartercenter.org/boardingpass.
Join CSDC today for direct access to California's most experienced charter school specialists, who provide personalized technical assistance, extensive resources, and expert guidance on everything from governance to operations. Members save thousands on professional development while gaining password-protected access to essential tools, templates, and exclusive training programs that help their entire leadership team navigate the complexities of charter school management.
Takeaways:
Vanessa Garza emphasizes the importance of monitoring vulnerable student groups.Data collection should include both academic and social-emotional metrics.Understanding formative, cumulative, and summative data is crucial for board members.Regular data collection helps in making timely instructional adjustments.Staffing challenges require innovative leadership development strategies.Board members should ask specific questions about data presented to them.Engaging in data discussions fosters a culture of learning among board members.Transparency in data presentation builds trust and accountability.New board members should feel empowered to ask questions and learn.
Keywords: charter schools, governance, student achievement, data collection, board member responsibilities, educational leadership, California

#5: Board member budgets, financial and oversight responsibility for California Charter School Board Members with CSDC Finance Specialist Joyce Montgomery

One of the two most important responsibilities of charter school board members is effective fiscal oversight (the other is monitoring student achievement). Tune in to this episode of Boarding Pass to hear veteran charter leader Joyce Montgomery as she shares tips for effective oversight and outlines a board member’s financial oversight obligations.   
Show notes:  
For the free powerpoint deck covering the topics discussed in this podcast, go to chartercenter.org/boardingpass.
CSDC Members Only: Budget Basics Explained 2024
Join CSDC today for direct access to California's most experienced charter school specialists, who provide personalized technical assistance, extensive resources, and expert guidance on everything from governance to operations. Members save thousands on professional development while gaining password-protected access to essential tools, templates, and exclusive training programs that help their entire leadership team navigate the complexities of charter school management.
Takeaways:
Building and maintaining a high-quality charter school is challenging.
Diverse skill sets on a board enhance its effectiveness.
Financial reports should be presented in various formats for better understanding.
Budgets must align with the school's mission and vision.
Board members are responsible for approving and understanding financial reports.
Attendance and enrollment directly impact funding for charter schools.
Financial mismanagement can threaten a school's operation.
Board members have a solemn responsibility for accountability and outcomes.
Investing in training for board members is crucial for success.
Support and resources are available for board members seeking guidance.
Keywords: charter schools, governance, finance, budgeting, board members, education, accountability, oversight, training, California

#4: Acronyms and Advocacy of California Charter Schools with CSDC Legislative and Outreach Specialist Laura Kerr

Charter school advocacy a critical part of keeping the charter school movement alive and well in California.  Charter school leaders – board members and administrators play a critical role in advocacy both at the local and state level.  In this episode, CSDC’s Laura Kerr shares a few funny stories as she talks about myth busting, relationship building and becoming a successful charter school advocate. 
For the free powerpoint deck covering the topics discussed in this podcast, go to chartercenter.org/boardingpass.
CSDC Members Only: Quick Guide to Educational Acronyms
Join CSDC today for direct access to California's most experienced charter school specialists, who provide personalized technical assistance, extensive resources, and expert guidance on everything from governance to operations. Members save thousands on professional development while gaining password-protected access to essential tools, templates, and exclusive training programs that help their entire leadership team navigate the complexities of charter school management.
Keywords: charter schools, advocacy, education policy, school board, community engagement, legislative process, California education, public education, charter school governance, political landscape

#3: Renewal and Succession Planning for California Charter Schools with Reggie Lee, Board Chair of Yu Ming Charter School

Join Boarding Pass host Caitlin O'Halloran Heller and Yu Ming Charter School Board Chair Reggie Lee for an insightful discussion on leading a successful charter school through critical transitions. Drawing from his experience at California's first Mandarin immersion charter school, Reggie shares practical wisdom on succession planning, leadership evaluation, and building an effective board that truly represents its community. Learn how to navigate the complex charter renewal process while maintaining strong community engagement and ensuring equitable outcomes for all students.
Topics Covered:
Building a charter school is more challenging than it seems.
Community engagement is crucial for charter school success.
Diverse board composition enhances decision-making.
Succession planning is essential for leadership continuity.
Evaluating leadership performance is key to governance.
Learning from past mistakes improves board effectiveness.
Engaging with the community can influence board decisions.
A strong governance committee is vital for board composition.
Communication with families is important during transitions.
Understanding the board's role versus the CEO's role is essential. The board's role is to support the CEO and ensure long-term viability.
Advocacy for students of color is crucial in education.
Special education requires a focus on centering the needs of children.
Chinese immersion schools face unique staffing challenges.
Community engagement is essential for successful school governance.
Understanding charter school processes is vital for board members.
Every family deserves access to high-quality education.
Collaboration among board members enhances decision-making.
Finding qualified teachers is a significant challenge for immersion programs.
It takes a collective effort to support students' education.
For the free powerpoint deck covering the topics discussed in this podcast, go to chartercenter.org/boardingpass.
Keywords: charter school governance, board member experience, community engagement, leadership transition, education policy, education, charter schools, board responsibilities, advocacy, special education, Chinese immersion, community engagement, renewal process, leadership, representation
 
 

#2: How to Prepare for Your First Board Meeting in a California Charter School with CEO of ACE charter school Kennedy Hilario

Are you a new board member and wondering how to prepare for your first board meeting?  Or are you a veteran board member hoping to gain deeper insight and improve your school’s board meetings?  In this enlightening conversation, Kennedy Hilario, CEO of ACE charter school discusses foundational documents, recruitment process, board workshops and more. 
Takeaways:
Kennedy Hilario emphasizes the importance of personal stories in education.
ACE focuses on nurturing students from underserved communities.
Building relationships is key to transforming students' lives.
Onboarding new board members is a structured process at ACE.
Effective board meetings require clear agendas and norms.
Board members should prioritize student success in decision-making.
Continuous learning and curiosity are vital for board members.
Kennedy highlights the importance of mentorship in education.
A strong connection with the school community enhances governance.
For the free powerpoint deck covering the topics discussed in this podcast, go to chartercenter.org/boardingpass.
CSDC Members Only: Quick Guide to Onboarding New Board Members
CSDC Members Only: Quick Guide to Rosenbergs Rules of Order
Join CSDC today for direct access to California's most experienced charter school specialists, who provide personalized technical assistance, extensive resources, and expert guidance on everything from governance to operations. Members save thousands on professional development while gaining password-protected access to essential tools, templates, and exclusive training programs that help their entire leadership team navigate the complexities of charter school management.
keywords: charter school governance, board member onboarding, student support, ACE Charter Schools, effective meetings, board norms, education leadership, community impact, mentorship, strategic planning

#1: History, Definitions, and Legal aspects of California Charter Schools with CSDC Founder and Executive Director Eric Premack

Let’s kick off Season One of Boarding Pass learning about the history and creation of charter schools in California.  In this episode, we hear from Eric Premack, CSDC Founder and Executive Director about the work of crafting the charter school law, and we pick his brain to gain an understanding of charter school corporate structure.  
Topics Covered: 
Charter schools began as a response to ineffective state control of education.
The Charter Schools Act of 1992 was a pivotal moment in California's education reform.
Governing boards are essential for the success of charter schools.
Nonprofit status is crucial for charter schools to reinvest in their mission.
For-profit charter schools are no longer allowed in California.
Charter Management Organizations (CMOs) can operate multiple schools.
Legal compliance is a significant responsibility for charter school boards.
Foundational documents are critical for understanding school governance.
New board members should seek mentorship and guidance.
Advocacy is vital for the continued success of charter schools.
For the free powerpoint deck covering the topics discussed in this podcast, go to chartercenter.org/boardingpass.
Keywords: charter schools, governance, education reform, nonprofit, California, board members, legislation, educational policy, charter management organizations, school governance