The 2020 school year is unprecedented, and special education is no exception. Going into the school year, it’s more important than ever for school boards to be well-informed and well-connected. School boards can prepare themselves for the unexpected by staying current with state and federal guidance and identifying potential barriers to success for the schools they serve. In the field of … [Read more...]

In response to the many questions asked at the Board Chat on 3.23.20, we have developed the following to clarify questions. Please seek the following resource below, your school’s attorney or Jim Martin at 612-581-8450 jmartinlawfirm@gmail.com Minnesota Department of Administration Data Practices office 651-296-6733 or info.dpo@state.mn.us.  This was prepared by Martin Law, PLLC and is not … [Read more...]

Please note: Jim Martin, Martin Law Firm has provided the following information for education and informational purposes only and not to be construed as legal advice. Consult with your legal counsel or reach out to Jim Martin for further clarification. Jim may be reached at jmartinlawfirm@gmail.com or 612-581-8450 As Charter School Leadership and Boards face difficult decisions during the … [Read more...]

Special education is a broad and complex topic that can intimidate educators and board members alike. Even the most seasoned administrators can find themselves second-guessing prior knowledge, questioning new legislation, or needing a second (or third!) opinion on a matter outside of their area of expertise. While there is so much to know about this evolving field, the efficacy of a special … [Read more...]

We thought we would share discussion from our monthly virtual Board Chat. There is typically a highlighted topic but most of our time is discussing best practices and getting feedback from fellow board members. Board chat participants posed some excellent questions. Here are the highlights: Question:  How can board members make life better for board chairs? Attend board meetings or … [Read more...]

Many of the charter schools we work with are adopting 360s as an element of their leadership development plan. We highly recommend this if used for development purposes only, not as part of the leadership’s performance review. We thought we would share this article from the Harvard Business Review as it highlights the impact of a thorough and effective process. Written by Jack Zenger and … [Read more...]

  Let’s be honest, the idea of budgeting and forecasting is not something that most educators get excited about. In fact, it is often the case that school and operations leaders see the process as foreign or overwhelming, and believe that it is best delegated to the bean counters with their large computer monitors and savvy excel modeling skills. The reason this top-down approach is … [Read more...]

Charter school boards use a variety of tools to help manage their meetings. For example, I have observed some boards using Google Drive to assist with the myriad of documents. Although not entirely secure for sensitive documents, this is clearly an option. However, advances in technology brings many new tools into the boardroom making the business of managing charter school boards much more … [Read more...]

Being a new board member on a charter school can be daunting. Clearly ensuring legal, financial and policy compliance is an essential role but what are the additional responsibilities a board member assumes? And, most importantly how do you deliver this information without overwhelming your newly elected members? A few strategies to effectively onboard your newly elected board members: 1. … [Read more...]

A successful board chair transition requires careful consideration and transparency. Are you prepared? As you review potential candidates, consider the following guideline for candid conversations regarding the role. Does the candidate possess the capacity to uphold the following? Capacity Possess time and energy to devote to the school. Understand hours and duties required for the … [Read more...]

  Meeting minutes are a formal recording of transactions that occurred at a specific time and place. Minutes are a record of what was done, not all that was said.  So, what are some best practices for creating effective minutes? Below are a few guidelines for preparing board minutes.   At the top of the page, record the name of the school, the date, time and location of the … [Read more...]

ADOPT MEETING NORMS – Everyone has busy lives. Be respectful of your fellow board members and staff. Show up on time, put cell phones away, read your board packet in advance and always make sure to be respectful of other’s opinions and maintain your professionalism. TOO ENGAGED: Engagement is important; however, often well-meaning passion for the mission gets steeped in a path that is intrusive … [Read more...]