Resource Library

This session, led by Lindsey Granger of Collaborative Educational Network, outlined a structured approach to selecting and supporting effective charter school leaders. She emphasized identifying key competencies, aligning the role with organizational priorities, involving stakeholders in the process, and providing ongoing mentoring and resources to ensure long-term school success.

This session explored how charter schools can engage with Florida’s growing Education Savings Account (ESA) program, which now serves more than 120,000 students and generates over $1 billion annually. Participants learned how schools can become approved ESA providers, adapt to an increasingly choice-driven education landscape, and use contract-based services to expand access, diversify funding, and better serve families.

This session, led by Lindsey Granger of Collaborative Educational Network, introduced the critical importance of ESE compliance for charter schools and highlighted key areas such as documentation, communication, and oversight. She also presented the Florida Charter Institute’s new ESE Compliance Tool, designed to help schools evaluate programming, identify gaps, and align practices with IDEA and state mandates.

This session focused on strengthening financial governance in charter schools, stressing that mismanagement remains the top cause of closures. Key practices included clarifying roles between boards, leaders, and finance teams; holding regular finance committee meetings; forecasting alongside budget reviews; and monitoring key metrics to ensure compliance, sustainability, and long-term

This session highlighted the leading causes of financial mismanagement in charter schools and introduced a framework of “10 Cures” to strengthen fiscal health. Key practices included clear policies, accurate payroll and audits, realistic budgets, forecasting, risk management, and valuing talent and technology—helping boards and leaders move from crisis response to proactive financial stability that sustains academic success.

This session examined the growing litigation risks facing charter schools, from employment disputes and discrimination claims to vendor conflicts and special education challenges. Key takeaways emphasized prevention through strong documentation, consistent policies, professional communication, and early legal involvement, helping schools minimize costly disputes and remain focused on serving students.

This session on “Values to Value: Budget Habits of Effective Charter Leaders” emphasized that budgets are more than numbers—they reflect a school’s mission and priorities. Key takeaways included building budgets on stable revenues, aligning spending with strategic goals, monitoring enrollment closely, and adopting cost-saving strategies to maximize resources for student success.

In this session, Paul O’Neill highlighted the importance of strong, transparent relationships between charter school boards and their authorizers, urging boards to treat authorizers as partners and communicate proactively. He outlined common pitfalls and shared strategies to build trust, address challenges early, and ensure accountability, positioning boards for long-term school success.