The 2022 CSDC Conference is a wrap!
CSDC thanks the many California charter school leaders who traveled to the State Capital for the three-day event.
For CSDC, the 2022 Conference represented our largest event to date. Over two decades ago, the conference started as a way for CSDC Executive Director and Founder, Eric Premack, to provide comprehensive strategic guidance on the major fiscal, regulatory, and legislative changes affecting California charter schools. While this presentation continues to anchor the event, CSDC has gradually evolved the format, adding dozens of breakout sessions, extended workshops, networking opportunities, and a dynamic exhibitor hall.
For the sector, this conference marked 30 years of charter schools in California. CSDC was excited to celebrate the occasion just steps away from where the charter law was passed three decades ago–and was enormously proud to share the moment with the school leaders who work tirelessly on behalf of California charter school students.
On Sunday afternoon, California charter school leaders arrived at the newly renovated SAFE Credit Union Convention Center located steps away from the State Capital in downtown Sacramento.
After arriving, attendees participated in one of seven in-depth, multi-hour workshops. These workshops were included in the price of registration and enabled participants to delve deeply into topics, including governance, leadership, accountability, and more.
After the Sunday afternoon workshops concluded, attendees headed upstairs for the first ever Welcome Happy Hour and unwound after a day of travel and workshops. A group of attendees spent the evening at the Sacramento Kings game being played just down the street at the Golden 1 Center and were recognized on the jumbotron. (Thanks for sharing, James Scheible!)
On Monday morning, the conference began in earnest with the first plenary session. CSDC’s Charter School Governance and Policy Specialist, Caitlin O’Halloran, welcomed attendees to the event and commemorated 30 years of California charter schools.
CSDC’s Eric Premack then took to the stage and began the first section of his two-part annual Leadership Update Presentation. In the clip above, Eric Premack shares strategies for managing periods of declining enrollment. A full recording is available as part of the conference’s recorded package available for purchase through January 31, 2023.
After the morning plenary, doors to the Exhibitor Hall opened for the first time, revealing over 70 charter support organizations strongly committed to serving California charter schools. This year’s hall also featured a productivity center, lounge, networking events, and complimentary massage chairs!
Attendees then began their first of five rounds of breakout sessions. This year’s programming featured over 70 breakouts organized into 11 strands:
- Strand 1: Accountability and Renewal
- Strand 2: Educational Approaches
- Strand 3: Facilities
- Strand 4: Governance
- Strand 5: Human Resources
- Strand 6: Leadership and Equity
- Strand 7: Legal
- Strand 8: Policy and Advocacy
- Strand 9: School Operations
- Strand 10: Strategic Fiscal Management
- Strand 11: Student Success
CSDC extends its gratitude to the many presenters who shared their knowledge and expertise with this year’s attendees.
Want to present at next year’s conference? Be sure to create an account on our website so you can stay apprised of the Call for Proposals (CFP) when it launches early next year.
After a busy Monday morning, complimentary cupcakes and coffee were served in the Exhibitor Hall, giving attendees a chance to re-energize. This afternoon power-up was one of numerous event-specific sponsorship opportunities available at this year’s event. If your company is interested in sponsoring next year’s conference, take a quick look at the 2022 sponsorship opportunities and let us know what we should offer in 2023!
Monday afternoon featured another first: Learning Labs. Hosted in the Exhibitor Hall, this new presentation format was designed to spark ideas and scheduled into a brisk, 45-minute time slot. Check out the 2022 Learning Labs lineup.
Monday’s programming concluded with an evening networking cocktail reception, with complimentary drinks and hors d'oeuvres for attendees, presenters, and exhibitors.
Attendees were back on-site Tuesday morning for the conclusion of Eric Premack’s Leadership Update Presentation in the ballroom. Tuesday’s schedule also featured more rounds of breakout sessions, Learning Labs, and exhibits.
The conference’s programming concluded with another new presentation format–the Charter Leader Discussion Groups–which provided attendees with access to subject matter experts, including CSDC’s staff specialists.
Finally, as the event drew to a close on Tuesday evening, attendees said goodbye and departed the convention center–but not before noticing a fun photo opp with a certain charter leader at the CSDC booth.
We hope you had a blast celebrating 30 years of California charter schools in Sacramento and we look forward to seeing you next November in a popular, sunny SoCal location. More to follow soon!
Note: If you were unable to make it to Sacramento, CSDC recorded nearly 30 hours of conference content and is making this recorded package available for purchase until January 31, 2023. (If you joined us in Sacramento, you’re entitled to a $300 discount. Check your email for more.)
