Mergers, Material Revisions and Other Strategies to Right-Size and Adapt
Charter schools must constantly navigate challenges and look for opportunities, often to just stay afloat. This requires school leaders to consider declining enrollment, available space, "material" revisions vs. new petitions, and so on. Sometimes that means merging with another operator. Participants will learn real-world strategies for mergers and strategic closures, and increase their understanding of the nuances between factual, legal, and political considerations. This interactive session will explore various case-study challenges and provide expert observations and strategies for success. We will also discuss issues raised by participants.
Presented by
Chief Executive Officer
New Los Angeles Charter Schools - New Los Angeles Charter
Dr. Brooke Rios brings over 20 years of experience in education and serves as the CEO of New LA Charter Schools. Under her leadership, New LA successfully navigated a merger and expansion, growing from two schools serving 500 students to three schools serving 800 students. Dr. Rios is the Board Chair of Collegiate Charter High School in East Los Angeles and serves on the Advisory Board for UCLA’s Women in Leadership Program. She holds an EdD in Educational Leadership from UCLA and is passionate about dismantling systemic inequities in education through the charter public school movement.
Partner/Attorney
Young, Minney & Corr LLP
Widely recognized throughout the state as a leading authority in charters, education, and government law, John has counseled charters, public agencies, and nonprofits on operations, facilities, finance, governance, policy, innovation and other legal issues for nearly three decades. John is experienced in political advocacy and has litigated many of the most significant charter lawsuits. He regularly handles charter material revisions, petitions/renewals, lease/purchases, strategic planning, and authorizer relations, and has deep expertise in NCB schools. John is a frequent presenter to CCSA and numerous other professional and academic organizations, covering charter school law and policy, education, and government law.
Chief Operating Officer
Alliance College Ready Public Schools
After teaching for three years, Tiffany D. Wilson graduated from Rutgers Law School, and spent the next 6 years practicing corporate law. Tiffany returned education as an Assistant Principal of Operations for a public charter school in Southeast Washington, DC, where she helped to lead the school from a Tier 2 to Tier 1 status. Currently, Tiffany is serving as Chief Operating Officer at Alliance College Ready Public Schools, where she leads the operations, compliance, governance, and advocacy work. Tiffany’s passion is building strong operational systems and foundations that help foster the world class educational environment that kids deserve.