About the Webinar:
Learn a New Language: What School Leaders Need to Know About Real Estate Development and Finance
Presented by Kelly De La Cruz, Founder and Director, Mi Escuela Montessori; Melissa Gross-Arnold, Shareholder, Arnold Law Firm; and Richard Moreno, President, Building Hope Services, LLC
This session helped school leaders “learn a new language” — the complex terminology and decision-making processes involved in charter school real estate development and finance. Richard Moreno, Melissa Gross-Arnold, and Kelly De La Cruz offered practical guidance on understanding leases, pro formas, capacity planning, financing options, and construction contracts. The presenters emphasized that educators entering facility development must be prepared to ask questions, understand key financial and legal terms, and engage professionals who can help translate technical details into actionable school decisions.
Through real-world examples, participants learned how to interpret lease terms, negotiate purchase options, and plan for growth using realistic financial forecasts. The session also demystified funding models such as conduit bond financing, conventional loans, and bridge loans, and highlighted important construction and budgeting concepts like design-build contracts, value engineering, contingencies, and capital needs assessments. Attendees left with a clearer understanding of how to navigate facility projects strategically—protecting their schools from costly mistakes and ensuring that financial and facility planning ultimately support academic success.
Learn A New Language: What School Leaders Need to Know About Real Estate Development and Finance
Presenter:
- Kelly De La Cruz, Founder, Director, Mi Escuela Montessori
- Melissa Gross-Arnold, Shareholder, Arnold Law Firm
- Richard Moreno, President, Building Hope Services, LLC