Charter Board Governance Series

The Foundation’s Paulette and Frank Stewart Board Governance Institute, with generous support from the Pro Bono Publico Foundation and in partnership with NOLA Public Schools, New Schools for New Orleans, and experienced local and national consultants, is excited to launch the second cohort of the Charter Board Governance Series. This program is designed to increase the effectiveness of New Orleans charter school boards and strengthen the effectiveness and sustainability of New Orleans charter schools. In this series, teams of 2-4 board members will explore leading and trusted practices to improve their own governance systems and practices. Over eight sessions, board members will delve into these specific topics:

• New Orleans charter school governance; 
• Effective board structures;
• Charter school accountability;
• Financial sustainability;
• CEO and school leader evaluations; and
• Advocating for charter schools.  

Why Join?

In Summer 2023, the Greater New Orleans Foundation conducted a survey of charter school board members and school leaders to assess their needs and understand the opportunities and challenges they faced. We designed this series to respond directly to the needs expressed in this survey. Four charter management organizations, managing a total of 12 schools, participated in the first cohort of the Charter Board Governance Series, which concluded in June 2024. Among a range of topics, board members indicated the need to strengthen their understanding of charter school accountability, succession planning, school financial sustainability, and advocacy.

This series presents members of the cohort with a FREE opportunity to invest in board leadership and skill development. The program:  

• Is designed by partners who understand charter school governance as practiced in New Orleans; 
• Features experienced and trusted facilitators who will share leading and effective practices in governance; and  
• Provides opportunities for networking and community-building with other charter school board members.  

Participation in the Charter Board Governance Series also unlocks your charter board’s eligibility for a board development grant to support the implementation of what you learn in the series.  

One-hundred percent of the series’ first cohort members shared that the Charter Board Governance Series was a good use of their time. In addition to learning and honing valuable skills—such as how to read and locate audits and how to strategically advocate for their schools to community and political stakeholders—cohort members also remarked on the value of learning and building a community with other charter board members. Here’s what a few of them had to say in their evaluation responses:

• “I learned valuable information throughout this series. I would love for other board members to attend.” 

• “The best part of the [advocacy] session was hearing a variety of perspectives from people advocating from different viewpoints.” 

• “I will improve my own advocacy for my charter school and encourage my fellow board members to do the same.” 

Participation Requirements

This program requires teams of 2-4 charter school board members to apply and attend sessions consistently. Individual board members who are not included in the application, but are on the board of a charter organization participating in the program, may attend a particular session due to interest in the topic. For example, a board treasurer might attend the workshop on financial sustainability but not participate in the other scheduled sessions. While CEOs and school leaders are not required to participate, they are welcome to register with their boards.

Program Format and Schedule

This program includes a combination of in-person and virtual sessions. The program calendar is below:

Before each session, participants will be able to access materials for an upcoming session on an online platform. Information can include an overview of the session, exercises, and/or resources for your review. Because each session has been designed to include interactive activities, participants may be asked to complete short pre-work assignments or gather information specific to their charter management organization to review and analyze during a session. During the sessions, participants will dive into the information with their team and peer groups, share insights and ideas, and devise an action plan. After the program concludes, participants will continue to have access to online program materials for one year.

Additional Cohort Support

The Foundation understands that board members have multiple and sometimes competing responsibilities related to their volunteer service as board members, employment, and family and caretaker responsibilities. Furthermore, charter schools are required to have a parent, guardian, or alumni serve on their boards. We want to support board members in their attendance of the series by offering childcare or youth-friendly activities to children during the in-person sessions, provided there is interest or a need for this type of support. Please indicate if any of your team members have an interest or need in the registration form.

Program Registration

Click here to register for the Charter Board Governance Series. The deadline to register is Friday, November 1. Space is limited.

Join Us for Happy Hour!

If you’d like to celebrate Charter School Board Members and learn more about our governance series, please join us on October 25 for our Charter School Board Happy Hour. To RSVP for the happy hour, please click here and submit your RSVP by October 18. (Please note that RSVPs are for the happy hour only.)

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Devon Turner, Director of Nonprofit Leadership and Effectiveness, at devon@gnof.org or (504) 620-5279.