Evan Coughenour (remote) - Bellwether

Facilitated discussion around Board Governance and Growth Planning

RL joined 5:36 pm

EQ joined 5:45 pm

DL joined 5:50 pm

Question: Any data that shows geographical distance and success rates correlated with that?

Want enough distance to capture non-overlapping markets; other factors include density of students, distance traveled to school, other choice schools, demand for programming, etc. to make sure we're capturing landscape accurately.

Question: What else do we need to do to align with strategic plan goals?

Continuous checking in with status of indicators to greenlight roadmap. Pitfalls to look out for: moving goalposts

Question: How to communicate reasons for growth to community?

Detail the case for growth in the current landscape and long term growth and sustainability. Increased opportunity for staff (PD, classes, geography), increased resources (economy of scale)

Question: Advantage/disadvantage of the scale of growth

Right size for near term, and long term.  Needs are different, but in general, single site schools get larger organically and lots of factors, redundancy/succession plan, need clarity on network leader/building leader/teacher development.  Phased approach easier to manage risk.

Question: Typical board structure for charter network

Engagement more important than number. Need enough for commitment and subcommittee work. Entrepreneur, finance, lawyers, facilities, local regulations/districts

Question: Budget building

Evan will share more resources

Reviewed strategic priorities and greenlighting document

Anything to add or take away? 

Governance needs to be clarified, add stakeholders/community forums (possibly part of Growth Task Force) to communicate to current and future community members, industry partners, letters of intent/waiting list, authorizer board member support, org structure/plan and budgeting structure/plan and policies for each school, budget priorities (How are we funding Koson and new sites?)

Matt shared current opportunities, threats, strengths, weaknesses.  Matt asks for feedback and communication

Matt shared his conversations with CSI, DCSD Board regarding window of opportunity

Strategic Task Update/Progress so far

Focus on branding, identity, marketing, materials, core values

Focus on academic rigor, student and staff experience, communications, events

School store, vending machine, brand guidelines being followed for future apparel, technology integration, data dashboard (for admin, for student, for board)

Continued tasks for 25/26

Apply for grants, build relationships, student showcase, fundraising, software solutions (systems and processes), fundraising, data dashboard, change management plan, mission/vision, pedagogy/curriculum, standards, PBL, website, Blue Ribbon

Colorado Schools Fund Grant Proposal, $50k (verbally confirmed; want a written up scope of work), up to $2M for Year 0 and Year 1 for new schools (based on per student)

Also Colorado League of Charter Schools has grant funding available

Grant funding is focused on people and programs rather than capital funding

Discussion around budget/governance structure/org details, recommendations and clarity around budget from Finance committee.  Need to develop process/clarity for separate budget for expansion.  Matt also points that technology integration across different sites. Might need a strategic plan for Koson.

Priority will be to start a preschool, Matt will present business plan (will be vetted through Growth Task Force). Need to look at political landscape, next priority is location

DL and LD left early