2024-2025 Board Training Series
Throughout each school year the GVSU CSO holds monthly training opportunities for the board members governing GVSU's charter public schools to enhance their capacity to effectively steer their schools toward fulfilling their mission.
All training sessions count toward the school board continuous learning requirements associated with the GVSU CSO Academic Grant.
All sessions are held virtually unless noted otherwise. Session dates and times may be subject to change.
Session Schedule
Leveraging the Board's Unique Value as Part of Your School Success Strategy
Date: December 16, 2024
Time: 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Presenters:
- Brooke Franklin -- School Consultant, GVSU CSO
- Michael Cousins -- Associated Director of Community Outreach, GVSU CSO
Description: The most useful and under-utilized asset in advancing the mission of the school are board members. Every board member brings a strong combination of passion and influence to his or her board service that — if leveraged — can powerfully accelerate the school’s success. Being an active advocate/ambassador for your school is a part of each board member’s fundamental role and responsibility. This workshop will strengthen the board collective ability to elevate the school’s visibility by leveraging board members’ personal influence and networks.
Register for Leveraging Your Board's Unique Value as Part of Your School Success Strategy
School Performance by the Numbers
Date: January 15, 2025
Time: 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Presenters:
- Matt Cawood -- School Consultant, GVSU CSO
- Ram Ravikumar -- Manager of Data Analytics, GVSU CSO
Description: Every board member is responsible for ensuring the school is meeting its mission by creating a positively impactful education environment for kids. In this session, participants will review the accountability measures that are outlined in the charter contract goals, learn how to appropriately read the School Performance Report, and navigate MDE data websites.
Board Governance and Succession Planning
Date: February 13, 2025
Time: 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Presenters:
- Matt Cawood -- School Consultant, GVSU CSO
- Brooke Franklin -- School Consultant, GVSU CSO
Description: This session will focus on helping boards plan for transitions in board membership and help to lay a foundation for board recruitment by exploring the necessary skills and mindsets needed for success. Participants will engage in discussion about their current board, assessing their skills and participating in an activity designed to help the group discover the way they approach their work and their individual and collective mindsets. The group will profile ideal board members and discuss recruitment strategies and a process to fill their open board seats with members who add value and complement the existing group.
Understanding Your Charter Contract
Date: March 4, 2025
Time: 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Presenters: Gretchen LaHaie -- Deputy Director for School Accountability, GVSU CSO
Description: Your board’s charter contract defines the roles, relationship, and accountabilities between your school and GVSU. In this session, we will walk through the most important aspects of this document to cover the key pieces that every board member should know.
School Budgeting and Finance: Asking the Right Questions
Date: April 24, 2025
Time: 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Presenters:
- Matt Cawood -- School Consultant, GVSU CSO
- Pat Sweeney -- Partner, Marcum LLP
Description: As a charter school board member, one of your most important duties is ensuring your school is fiscally responsible and viable. This session will arm you with key questions you can ask in order to determine the fiscal health of your school.
Register for School Budgeting and Finance: Asking the Right Questions
Best Practice: Using an Efficient Governance Committee Structure
Date: May 22, 2025
Time: 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Presenters:
- Matt Cawood -- School Consultant, GVSU CSO
- Matt Missias -- School Consultant, GVSU CSO
Description: Consider adding a committee structure to your board with the goal of increasing your board’s effectiveness and efficiencies. During this session we will give you information on the types of committees to consider, how often they meet, and who should be on them. Whether you choose to add them or not, you will learn things that will increase your effectiveness as a board member.
Register for Best Practice: Using and Efficient Governance Committee Structure
Effective Charter School Governance: Evaluating Your Performance
Date: June 2, 2025
Time: 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Presenters:
- Gretchen LaHaie -- Deputy Director for School Accountability, GVSU CSO
- Matt Cawood -- School Consultant, GVSU CSO
Description: Coming soon
Register for Effective Charter School Governance Evaluating Your Performance