Strategic Planning

About the Webinar:

We apologize that the audio for this session was not usable, and therefore we are unable to provide the video recording. However, the presentation slides are available below.

This session, “Flags, Focus, and Future: The Power of Strategic Planning for Boards,” highlighted the critical role of strategic planning in helping charter school boards prepare for challenges and stay mission-focused. Using real-world scenarios such as declining enrollment, board succession, resource misalignment, and “in-the-weeds” distractions, the presenters demonstrated how the absence of a clear strategic plan often leads to reactive decision-making, instability, and missed opportunities. In contrast, boards with living strategic plans benefit from stability, efficiency, stakeholder confidence, and a clear roadmap for responding to both risks and opportunities .

Edwards and Hines emphasized that effective strategic plans future-proof schools, clarify direction for all stakeholders, and ensure that board time is spent on what matters most—student outcomes, financial health, and mission advancement. They encouraged boards to integrate data-driven decision-making, establish clear priorities, and align resources with long-term goals rather than short-term fixes. The facilitators also urged boards to reflect on their own practices and identify at least one concrete step they could take in the next 90 days to strengthen or develop their strategic plan.

The session closed with a reminder that strong strategic planning is not about producing a static document but about creating a living framework that guides governance and leadership through change. By focusing on alignment, clarity, and accountability, boards can cultivate resilience, make more informed policy decisions, and ensure that their schools are well-positioned for future success.