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Jenna Stauffer, Founder and Director of Strategic Development
Lighthouse Community Charter
Back-Office Services, Prop 1D Application Assistance, Census Report, PowerSchool

"Our partnership with EdTec is priceless! The staff is responsive, smart, and hard-working. We couldn't do the hard work of educating our students without their support and services."

18th Annual California Charter Schools Conference

The 18th Annual California Charter Schools Conference was held at the San Diego Convention Center, March 7–10, 2011. EdTec was proud to be a sponsor, exhibitor, and Breakout Session presenter on 7 key topics with its partner schools.

If you were unable to attend and would like printable copies of session handouts, please email sam@edtec.com.

Ten Things Nobody Tells You about Your New Charter School

• Tuesday 3/8, 10:45 AM - 12:00 PM
• Strand: Developing New Charter Schools
• Description: This presentation will cover the actual challenges that almost each new charter leader faces in launching their school. Areas of discussion will include authorizer relations, funding sources and time-lines, facilities, business services, staffing, and much more.
• Presenter(s):Bryce Fleming (EdTec Inc.), Shara Hedge (Cornerstone Academy Preparatory School), Steven Holguin (California Charter Schools ssociation), Peter Laub (EdTec Inc.), Greg Lippman (ACE Public School Network), Vanessa Sifuentes (ACE Charter School)

Reducing Operating Costs through Strategic Sourcing and Procurement

• Tuesday, 3/8 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM
• Strand: Budget and Cashflow
• Description: Taking a strategic approach to sourcing and procurement represents a largely-untapped opportunity for charter schools to reduce operating costs and make more funds available for instructional purposes. In this session, participants will learn practical tips and guidelines for improving the procurement function at their school/Charter Management Organization. Topics for discussion will include identifying attractive savings opportunities, deciding on informal bidding versus Request for Proposal, tips for negotiating favorable contracts, and planning an annual procurement calendar.
• Presenter(s): Erik Fried (Green Dot Public Schools), Joe Harrington (California Charter Schools Association), Gasper Martinez (EdTec Inc.)

Ten Business Decision-Making Concepts Every School Leader Should Know

• Tuesday, 3/8 3:45 PM - 5:00 PM
• Strand: Budget and Cashflow
• Description: The success of any business correlates to the quality of leaders' decision making. In addition to driving student achievement, directors are responsible for making critical financial and operational decisions on behalf of the school. EdTec will showcase 10 real-life charter school directors' decision moments, and follow with an exercise, analysis, and explanations from our panel of experts. Leave with a new suite of tools to help your school succeed inside and outside of the classroom!
• Presenter(s): Mike Gordon (Inland Leaders Charter School), Dorothy Lee (EdTec Inc.), Gasper Martinez (EdTec Inc.), Kelly Theofanis (EdTec Inc.)

Making the Grade: Self-Assessment for Board Governance and Accountability

• Tuesday, 3/8, 3:50 PM - 4:50 PM
• Strand: Governance
• Description: Board governance can dramatically help or hinder the success of charter schools. This interactive session provides a practical understanding of board responsibilities of fiscal and programmatic oversight and offers a highly useful tool to score and self-assess participants' own board performance - identifying areas requiring improvement and recognizing areas of strength. Participants will learn about the key drivers of success for charter schools and the responsibility of the board to monitor those drivers.
• Presenter(s): Peter Laub (EdTec Inc.), Alison Suffet-Diaz (Environmental Charter Schools)

Adaptive Financial Management in Tough Economic Times

• Wednesday, 3/9, 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM
• Strand: Budget and Cashflow
• Description: The California state budget crisis and the recession have exacerbated the financial challenges facing charter schools. Unfortunately, these external constraints are not likely to dissipate any time soon. The purpose of this session is to discuss how charter schools can best adapt to ongoing financial uncertainty and limitations from the state, and to develop systems and practices that support sustainable operations..
• Presenter(s): Bryce Fleming (EdTec Inc.), Joe Harrington (California Charter Schools Association), Jennifer Kawar (Nonprofit Finance Fund), Paula Smith Arrigoni (Nonprofit Finance Fund)

Bulletproofing Your Charter Petition Budget: Tips from the Trenches

• Wednesday, 3/9, 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM
• Strand: Developing New Charter Schools
• Description: The charter petition budget can be a major stumbling block for charter developers because it is one of the concrete areas that districts can target for charter denial. Without a sound budget based on solid assumptions, otherwise great petitions will likely be denied approval. Learn about frequent pitfalls, budgeting assumptions, funding levels and program eligibility, and developing cash flow projections for multi-year budgets. Presenting and defending your budget and its assumptions will also be covered.
• Presenter(s): Jean Driscoll (Partners in Oakland Education), Conrade Gamble II (Antecello Preparatory Academy), Peter Laub (EdTec Inc.), Dorothy Lee (EdTec Inc.), Antonette Sims (Excel Prep Charter School)

Bridging the Gap: Understanding Cash Flow Options in the Midst of Deferrals

• Wednesday, 3/9 3:45 PM - 5:00 PM
• Strand: Budget and Cashflow
• Description: The state budget crisis has made an already difficult school revenue stream even more challenging. Participants will learn about the current apportionment schedule, how it compares to the timing of school expenses, and strategies to keep school cash flow positive. The session will also examine acquiring financing to bridge gaps in cash flow and provide a blueprint for how to evaluate the different options available.
• Presenter(s): Karla Branch (R.A.A.M.P. Charter Academy), Steve Campo (EdTec Inc.), Bryce Fleming (EdTec Inc.), Joe Harrington (California Charter Schools Association)