CBO Training Program

Redesigned for 2021

We understand that school leaders are stretched for time and resources like never before. CBO 2021 has been designed to make efficient and effective use of participants’ time, as well as your school’s professional development budget. The program will be delivered over 14 weeks, January – May 2021 in an innovative, 100% online format including:

• A structured content and engagement calendar
• Live and on-demand sessions facilitated by staff and instructors
• Engagement with colleagues from similar charter organizations in regularly scheduled cohort labs
• Hands-on exercise and projects completed during the training program that apply knowledge to common school business challenges and create tools and resources for use at your school
• Up-to-date information, guidance, and analysis from CSDC staff and instructors
• Feedback on work and answers to your questions
• Additional, optional on-demand sessions for continued learning

Topics

CBO Training 2021 consists of a scaffolded series* of facilitated sessions that cover the topics most critical to those managing and/or overseeing the business of charter school organizations. CSDC is uniquely positioned to help program participants understand how charter school finance and operations are similar to—but often different from—traditional school system practices. Participants will complete the program with an extensive understanding of:

• The California Context: How a charter organization fits into the state’s multi-agency, multi-layered public education landscape.
• Funding Programs: Complex state and federal school funding programs and how to apply for, manage, comply with, and benefit from each.
• Accountability: The shifting landscape of charter school accountability at the state and local level and how it effects the business side of your organization.
• Budgeting and Financial Oversight: How to develop strategic and balanced budgets, long-term financial plans, cash flow projections, required state and federal plans, all while engaging key stakeholders.
• Attendance Accounting: The complexities of attendance accounting at various types of educational organizations in order to effectively monitor and maximize school funding.
• Accounting and Auditing: The specifics of charter school financial accounting including financial and compliance auditing.
• Facilities: Charter facility options, challenges, and strategies.
• Human Resources (H.R.): A review of the fundamentals of charter school labor relations and how to proactively avoid pitfalls including building and managing sustainable employee compensation and benefit packages that maximize value and encourage retention. Will also provide an overview of current law to ensure compliance at all stages of the employment relationship.
• Risk Management: Claim trends in California charter schools and how to ensure a school has appropriate coverage and risk management policies, processes, and protocols in place.
• Management Ethics: How to understand and negotiate the complex and shifting expectations regarding conflicts-of-interest, transparency, ethical decision-making, and legal compliance to keep your school and career on a straight, upward trajectory.

*Content may not be sequenced as listed above and additional content may be added, as necessary.

2021 Training Schedule

CBO21 will take place over 14 weeks beginning at the end of January and continuing through the second week in May. The program is rigorous and will require commitment and focus in order to track and absorb the depth of the content provided. Participants should plan on committing to approximately 4-5 hours per week for 14 weeks January – May 2021 and will engage with:

• CSDC instructors and content during live sessions
• Content and self-paced exercises during on-demand sessions
• Colleagues from similar schools and/or with similar backgrounds during cohort meetings.

2021 Sample Schedule*

*Content and schedule subject to change.

Who Attends

CSDC seeks applicants to the CBO21 program who are professionals with substantial fiscal and/or operational oversight responsibilities who are presently employed by or serving an active California charter school organization(s), district offices, or county offices of education. Principals or other academic leaders also participate in the program in order to effectively communicate with business staff and board members. We also encourage CBO Training Program alumnus to attend every two-three years to reengage with the dynamic content. CBO Training participants typically work in:

• Financial Management: School Executives including Business, Financial Officers, Controllers, Director of Business Services, Finance Manager, Finance Board Chair
• Operations: Chief Operating Officer, Director of Operations, Operations Manager
• Administration: Includes both site-level (e.g., Principal, Site Leader) and central office administrators (e.g., Executive Director, CEO)
• Other: Includes business, instructional, and support staff

NOTE: The program is designed for those currently employed by a charter school and is not designed for consultants, charter service providers or new charter developers in the petition-drafting phase. CSDC urges these audiences to attend our Annual Leadership Update Conference in the fall.

Tuition

Tuition covers registration, materials, presentations and individual assistance with exercises:

• Organizations with an active CSDC Membership $2,595 per participant*
• Organizations without an active CSDC Membership $3,595 per participant

CSDC members receive a significant discount, but membership is not required of applicants. Most CBO Training program participants become CSDC Members to take advantage of the ongoing operational support CSDC provides to members including detailed analyses of the latest high-stakes fiscal, political, legal and regulatory developments and access to member—only webinars and resources. Learn more about CSDC Membership.

Download Brochure

Download our latest brochure to learn more about the CBO Training Program.

CBO Training Program 2021 Application

Applications for CSDC’s CBO Training program will be reviewed and considered, weighing candidacy based on roles and experience. Spaces are limited. In the event there are more applicants than spaces available, we will form a waitlist. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.