 ✏️ Back to School, Back to the Headlines From billion-dollar budget gaps to student cash incentives, this week’s news is packed with bold moves and big implications. Governor Polis has called a rare special legislative session to tackle a billion-dollar budget hole and new AI regulations, while Senator Bennet’s surprise pivot toward a gubernatorial run signals shifting dynamics in Colorado politics. On the national stage, the charter sector celebrates a legal win in Los Angeles, federal Pell Grants dodge proposed cuts, and a new study stirs debate over direct cash payments to students in charter schools. Share your campus news with us by 12 PM each Thursday for inclusion in the NEWS.   Boardhawk podcast episode 16: Featuring Mariana del Hierro, southwest Denver (District 2) school board candidate
Boardhawk | August 7
Mariana del Hierro is a Denver Public Schools parent and nonprofit executive running for the District 2 seat on the Denver school board, representing southwest Denver.  Colorado Springs-area superintendent tapped to lead Colorado Association of School Executives
Denver Gazette | July 31
The Colorado Association of School Executives recently appointed a Colorado Springs-area district leader as its future president.  What happened when schools paid high schoolers $50 a week, no strings attached?
NPR | August 5
NPR's Juana Summers speaks with Jonathan Johnson, founder and CEO of Rooted School Foundation, about a study involving his charter schools which gave $50 weekly to low-income students.  Will New AI Academy Help Teachers or Just Improve Tech’s Bottom Line?
The 74 | August 4
Mariely Sanchez spent the last school year using generative artificial intelligence nearly every day in her classroom. New Study: Female Teachers Much More Stressed, Burned Out Than Male Colleagues
The 74 | August 4
Female teachers across the United States are significantly more likely to experience frequent job-related stress and burnout than male educators, according to new survey results.  Linda McMahon pulls back the curtain on Trump's plan to dismantle the Department of Education
Fox News | August 1
Despite Democrats protesting President Donald Trump's plan to dismantle the Department of Education, Education Secretary Linda McMahon said returning education to the states is a "nonpartisan issue." Penny Schwinn Drops Out of the Running for Ed Department’s Deputy Role
The 74 | July 31
Penny Schwinn, in line to serve as second in command of the U.S. Department of Education, has withdrawn from the nomination, Education Secretary Linda McMahon announced Thursday. 
| Get Ready to Lead 🚀 |
| The RFPs for Annual Conference 2026 workshops open on August 15! This is your chance to share your expertise, elevate your voice, and help shape the conversation for charter school leaders across Colorado. Start thinking about the topics you’re passionate about—we want to hear from you! Learn more. |
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 Membership Renewals: The League is in the middle of renewal season. Thank you to all who have so far renewed their membership. If you're still in the middle of the process, this is the perfect month to take care of the details. Log in to the League's website (as a "finance contact"), view "My Account" in the upper right, then "Organizational Invoices" to view whether your invoices are paid or open. Your connection to the League and to all the schools in the network helps us all move Forward Together. Need help? Email [email protected]. Thank you!
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
2025 Annual Finance Seminar: Your Fall Briefing on School Finance
Join charter business managers and operations leaders from across Colorado for a full day of updates, training, and connection at the 2025 Annual Finance Seminar. Hosted by the League, this free event offers both in-person and virtual participation. Expect funding and compliance insights, expert-led sessions, and networking to launch the year with clarity. Strategic Finance Training: Sept. 25–26 in Battlement Mesa
The next Strategic Finance training will take place at the Colorado River BOCES in Battlement Mesa September 25–26. District teams are strongly encouraged to attend, particularly superintendents and CFOs/business managers, as space is limited and past sessions have filled quickly. Early registration and hotel booking are recommended; room blocks are available at discounted rates until August 15.  Digital Safety Summit in Denver: Sept. 20
Don't miss the first-ever Digital Safety Summit, taking place September 20 at the University of Denver. This first-of-its-kind national conference is designed for anyone who cares about protecting teens in today’s online world, including parents, educators, counselors, school resource officers, law enforcement, and community leaders. Together, we'll address topics of online exploitation, digital wellbeing, and how adults can engage children with both confidence and compassion. Sign up today.
GET INVOLVED
 Share your Expertise at the 2026 Annual Conference
Request for Proposals open August 15 for the Colorado Charter Schools Annual Conference. Submit a session proposal to inspire, educate, and connect with the charter school community. Learn more and apply.
RESOURCES & GRANTS
Youth Sports Giving Day Returns this September
The Daniels Fund invites Colorado youth sports nonprofits to join the second annual Youth Sports Giving Day, running from September 3–17. Participating organizations on ColoradoGives.org are eligible for dollar-for-dollar matching on the first $1 million raised, plus additional incentive funds. Don’t miss the launch event at Coors Field on September 3—register by August 25 to enter the drawing to throw the first pitch! Learn more and register.  Tools for Multilingual Learners
CDE released a new resource to support linguistically responsive, data-based instruction for multilingual learners. The webpage walks teams through Like-Peer Comparisons to support RTI, reading interventions, and more.
CDE UPDATES
 Accountability Report
Welcome to the 2025-26 school year! We’ve got a lot to cover. As always, please reach out if you have any questions or need assistance on any of the items included in this communication. Read more. Free training for K-12 science teachers
The Colorado Department of Education is offering free Science at its Peak trainings for K–12 science teachers this fall, both in-person and online. These sessions support standards-based, real-world science instruction and offer license renewal credit. Trainings run through October in locations across the state. Learn more and register. 
| 7th August 2025 |
| Corgan |
| Corgan’s reputation for great customer service spans over eight decades. That unwavering commitment to clients is the foundation of everything we do. |
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| 5 September 2025 |
| Annual Finance Seminar |
| Join charter school business and operations leaders for essential updates, expert-led training, and peer connections to kick off the year with clarity and confidence. |
| Seminars, Webinars, Convenings, Lowry Conference Center |
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| 10 October 2025 |
| 2025 Leadership Summit |
| Join us this fall for the 2025 Leadership Summit—an exclusive, one-day event designed to inspire, connect, and empower Colorado’s charter school leaders. |
| Major events |
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| 25 – 27 February 2026 |
| Annual Conference 2026 |
| Experience the 2026 Annual Conference—where educators, leaders, and visionaries shape the future of charter education. |
| Major events |
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