Program Dates
January 20-May 6, 2025
Location
In-Person & Online
Important Dates
Early Deadline: December 12, 2024; Standard (Final) Deadline: January 16, 2025
January 20-May 6, 2025
In-Person & Online
Early Deadline: December 12, 2024; Standard (Final) Deadline: January 16, 2025
The Charter Business Officer (CBO) Training program brings together a new cohort of charter school business and operations leaders each spring to learn, problem-solve, network and share. The comprehensive hybrid program offers a rigorous curriculum that delivers the critical skills and knowledge required of charter school leaders with significant financial management, operational and oversight responsibilities. The training is an unparalleled opportunity for the state’s charter school business leaders to develop and master the expertise needed to effectively navigate their organization’s fiscal and operational health and long-term stability. CBO participants earn extensive training, gain access to resources and develop a statewide network of charter business leaders.
For nearly two decades, CSDC has offered the CBO Training Program to provide charter school business leaders with the critical skills and knowledge required to maintain their schools' operational health and long-term stability. Here's why California charter school finance professional have attended the program:
Training content provides a breadth and depth unparalleled in the California charter school sector, with topics ranging from charter school history and funding opportunities to fiscal strategy, compliance, and risk management. Content is updated annually to help charter fiscal leaders navigate the current environment.
Complete hands-on assignments with real-world applications and relevance to your school’s context. Plus, have your specific questions answered by our expert instructional team.
Engage with colleagues from similar charter school organizations and build your professional network across the state.
CBO Training 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.
The program is delivered through a combination of live virtual meetings and one in-person session.
How a charter organization fits into the state’s multi-agency, multi-layered public education landscape.
Complex state and federal school funding programs and how to apply for, manage, comply with and benefit from each.
How to develop strategic and balanced budgets, long-term financial plans, cash flow projections, and a review of required reporting
Manage the complexities of attendance accounting at various types of educational organizations.
Charter school financial accounting and compliance auditing.
Navigate charter facility options, challenges, and strategies.
Proactively protect your school by ensuring you have the appropriate processes, coverages, and risk management protocols in place from school safety to workers’ compensation to employment practices.
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.
CSDC seeks applicants to the CBO program who are professionals with substantial fiscal and/or operational oversight responsibilities who are presently employed by or serving at an active California charter school organization(s), district office(s), or county office(s) of education. Principals or other academic leaders also participate in the program in order to effectively communicate with business staff and board members. CSDC also encourages CBO Training program alumnus to attend every two-to-three years to reengage with the dynamic content. CBO Training participants work at all levels within charter organizations:
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 conference in the fall.
The information you gain from this program is invaluable. Everyone is extremely knowledgeable. Gaining access to your local cohort and network of charter professionals was a great way to ask your peers questions and help solve real world problems. Thank you so much for all your hard work and dedication!
Business Analyst, Visions in Education Charter Schools, Carmichael, CA
This is the best professional development for charter school leadership I have ever been a part of. I recently finished my MBA, and I learned more valuable, relevant information in this program than I did in the entire MBA program!
Principal, Da Vinci Schools, El Segundo, CA
As a newly promoted CBO, it was a great program to fill in the gaps between what I already knew, what I knew I needed to learn, and what I didn't even know I was missing. The weekly live sessions are filled with important information and the cohort meetings gave us a time to converse about how it relates to our individual schools.
Business Manager, Woodland Star Charter School, Sonoma, CA
In our current political state all charter leaders need to be well informed in how to develop and maintain their business practices and financial obligations. The CSDC CBO training provided an excellent foundation to building this necessary understanding.
Principal, Alta Vista Innovation High School, Hesperia, CA
EARLY REGISTRATION DEADLINE: DECEMBER 12, 2024
Organizations with an active CSDC Membership
per participant for the 15-week training
Organizations without an active CSDC
per participant for the 15-week training
STANDARD REGISTRATION DEADLINE: JANUARY 16, 2025
Pending availability. Apply early!
CSDC Members: $6,250 Nonmembers: $8,250
Registration for the 2025 CBO Training Program is open now! Please contact events@chartercenter.org with questions.
REGISTER
