2024 Governance Conference

Saturday, September 7, 2024

On September 7, the Charter Support Unit hosted the third annual Florida Charter School Governance Conference on the campus of South Tech Academy in Boynton Beach. This hybrid event focused on serving the needs of Charter School Governing Board Members throughout the state of Florida, attendees were able to join in person or online.

Thank you to everyone who attended, presented and particpated in making this year’s event a success! We couldn’t have done it without you!

Keynote Presentation: Sara Clements

Our keynote presenter, Sara Clements, provides data about school choice in Florida and how charter schools should embrace the larger school choice movement as Florida continues to implement universal school choice.

 

Closing Session: Roundtable Panel Discussion

Conference Sessions

  • An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure: Identifying Schools in Early Distress

    Schools don’t just decline all at once or out of the blue. Rather, decline stems from unaddressed issues that grow and permeate over time. In this session, participants walk through ground-breaking research done by the National Charter School Resource Center on identifying school distress before that distress impacts student outcomes. Gathered from authorizers, school leaders, and governing board members from schools struggling across the nation, Governing board members are guided through this research and early warning signs.

    • Conference: 2024 Governance Conference
    • Presenter(s):
      • Aimee Evan

  • Biggest Legal Mistakes Charter Schools Make

    This is a general overview of legal matters we see facing charter schools, the legal length each take (demand letters all the way through trials depending on the issue) and how to position your school defensively and offensively.

    • Conference: 2024 Governance Conference
    • Presenter(s):
      • Thomas Sternberg

  • Blueprint for Success: Startegies to Support Your Facility Plan

    What strategies should charter school governing boards put in place to help put them in a better position to be able to make their facilities goals come true? Richard Moreno talks about different strategies boards can take to ensure financial stability.

    • Conference: 2024 Governance Conference
    • Presenter(s):
      • Richard Moreno

  • Bond Financing: Post-Issuance Compliance and Reporting

    Many charter schools have financed facility acquisitions and expansions with the proceeds of tax-exempt bonds. These types of financings impose requirements on borrowers post-closing related to reporting, the incurrence of additional debt, and financial metrics. This presentation focuses on the role governing board members can play in understanding the requirements of their school’s bond and ensuring diligent compliance with all post-issuance requirements

    • Conference: 2024 Governance Conference
    • Presenter(s):
      • Braxton Padgett, Arnold Law Firm

  • Charter Schools Movement Panel Discussion

    The closing session for the conference closed with a panel of charter school experts who answer questions regarding the charter school movement and what Boards thesmelves should be thinkign about as we prepare for the future.

    • Conference: 2024 Governance Conference
    • Presenter(s):

  • Creating Data Dashboards: How Boards Can Collect Data & Accureately Make Decisions

    In this session, boards discover how to leverage data to drive student success and make informed decisions. Exploring the collaborative process between boards and school leadership in identifying crucial data points and establishing effective collection frequencies. Participants gain actionable insights into interpreting data, outlining decisive steps to take and pitfalls to avoid. A sample dashboard tool/template will be provided.

    • Conference: 2024 Governance Conference
    • Presenter(s):
      • Cametra Edwards
      • Jennifer Hines

  • Dealing with Chaos Before It Happens: Crafting Policies that Prevent the Worst

    Based on two real life examples at charter schools that have gone through some significant conflict over the last two years, what systems could have been put in place to help prevent some of the chaos that happened? What should charter schools do proactively to prevent themselves from being similar situations.

    • Conference: 2024 Governance Conference
    • Presenter(s):
      • Curtis Fuller, FCI

  • Developing a Powerhouse IT Strategy

    Join presenters from Technology Lab as they talk about how to develop an IT infrastructure for a charter school that will ensure the school has what it needs to suceed.

    • Conference: 2024 Governance Conference
    • Presenter(s):
      • Brian Haden, Technology Lab

  • Effective Governing Board Meetings

    Operating productive, efficient board meetings can help attract and retain quality board members. This session discusses the “ins and outs” of great board meetings. We cover legal requirements as well as best practices.

    • Conference: 2024 Governance Conference
    • Presenter(s):
      • Kathleen Schoenberg

  • Ethical Considerations for Governing Boards and School Leadership

    This session provides an overview of the ethical requirements for governing board members and school leadership. It also includes a discussion of action steps for individual board members, the governing board and school leadership if a potential conflict of interest arises.

    • Conference: 2024 Governance Conference
    • Presenter(s):
      • Melissa Gross Arnold, Arnold Law Firm

  • Evaluating a Principal or ED

    Effective leaders lead effective schools. In this session, we delve into the purpose of the evaluation, the focus of the evaluation, and the solution for the evaluation regarding the Principal or Executive Director.

    • Conference: 2024 Governance Conference
    • Presenter(s):
      • Sherard Parker, FCPCS

  • Governing Boards & Compliance

    Charter Governing Boards must comply to specific rules and laws that govern their work of oversight of charter schools. Let’s take a look at the areas where Charter Governing Boards must demonstrate compliance, discover their responsibility to compliance, and learn about the importance of a commitment to all aspects of compliance

    • Conference: 2024 Governance Conference
    • Presenter(s):
      • Valerie Hyer, Facsa

  • How Can the Board ensure the school is following ESE Requirements

    This presentation delves into the intricacies of Exceptional Student Education (ESE) litigation, tailored specifically for charter school governing boards and administrators. It highlights the essential legal knowledge needed to navigate the challenges of compliance, due process, and regulatory responsibilities. Participants learn how to establish effective policies, prevent potential legal pitfalls, and protect their schools from costly litigation while providing quality education to students with disabilities.

    • Conference: 2024 Governance Conference
    • Presenter(s):
      • John Leombruno, Arnold Law Firm
      • Russell Froman, Arnold Law Firm

  • Increasing Community Presence

    In today’s competitive educational environment, charter schools must actively increase their community presence to attract students, engage families, and build strong community ties. This session delves into effective strategies for charter schools to elevate their visibility and influence within their local communities. Participants explore the use of digital platforms, community partnerships, and outreach programs to create meaningful connections and showcase their unique educational offerings. Gain practical tools and actionable insights that can help your charter school grow its presence and impact in the community.

    • Conference: 2024 Governance Conference
    • Presenter(s):
      • Dr. April Willis, April Willis Consulting & National Nonprofit Collaborative

  • Legislative Updates

    Attorneys Shawn Arnold and Emily Rodriguez from the Arnold Law firm provide participants with updates about legislative changes from the recent legislative session.

    • Conference: 2024 Governance Conference
    • Presenter(s):
      • Shawn Arnold, Arnold Law Firm
      • Emily Rodriguez, Arnold Law Firm

  • Risk Management and Insurance: Mitigating Liability Pitfalls

    In this presentation we dive deeper into the insurance requirements for charter schools and explain the relevancy and importance of having the correct insurance in place to ensure proper protection for the school.

    • Conference: 2024 Governance Conference
    • Presenter(s):
      • Chelsea Oakes, Egis
      • Ismary Cardoso, Egis

  • Sara Clements on the School Choice Movement

    Our keynote presenter, Sara Clements, provides data about school choice in Florida and how charter schools should embrace the larger school choice movement as Florida continues to implement universal school choice.

    • Conference: 2024 Governance Conference
    • Presenter(s):
      • Sara Clements

  • Setting Up Financial Systems For Success

    This presentation focused on providing participants with information on how to set up and evaluate the financial systems at a charter school.

    • Conference: 2024 Governance Conference
    • Presenter(s):
      • Dana Vignale
      • Heather Clay

  • South Tech Schools Information

    During our lunch, South Tech Schools presented their amazing Vocational programs and all the great things that South Tech has to offer.

    • Conference: 2024 Governance Conference
    • Presenter(s):

  • The Secrets of Strategic Planning Every Board Member Should Know

    Is your board deep in the strategic planning process? Just starting to discuss? Think maybe you should get started but not sure how? Implementing a well-written, thorough plan and hitting some bumps? Regardless of where you are in this process, this session delivers some practical, helpful information on the strategic planning process, including a strong vision of the ideal process, assessment of your capacity, how to navigate through difficult challenges and what to do when you encounter potential roadblocks. You will leave energized, inspired and ready to take on this critically important work!

    • Conference: 2024 Governance Conference
    • Presenter(s):
      • Beth Napleton, LevelEDUp Leadership

  • Understanding the Role of the Board with Authorizers & Accountability

    This session focuses on how charter school Governing Boards should expect to operate with their sponsor, and the role that boards play when it comes to relationship with the sponsor.

    • Conference: 2024 Governance Conference
    • Presenter(s):
      • Kia Scott, FACSA