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Welcome to the MOVE for May 🌸
This month’s MOVE brings a Year in Review from League President Dan Schaller and details on the 2025 legislative session, including key funding and policy wins for charter schools. Get ready to celebrate National Charter Schools Week (May 11–17), hear from a graduating senior, and mark your calendars for the 2025 Leadership Summit and the 2026 Annual Conference. Finally, join us Monday at 1 PM for our Legislative Session Recap, and join us next Friday for our final Town Hall of the year at 10 AM.
If your campus has an update to share, please submit it to us by 12 PM each Thursday.
Headlines from a Hallmark Year: Getting the Job Done for Our Schools and Students
With the legislative session behind us and summer break fast approaching, I wanted to take this opportunity to look back at the year that was and highlight some of the successes of our collective work together. Knowing how busy May can be – and therefore how little time most of you probably have for an in-depth read – I’ve summarized these successes in the form of five “Headlines from a Hallmark Year”:
Headline #1:
“The League Preserves/Advances Charter Funding Across All Major Revenue Streams”
Let’s not forget: There was a $1.2 billion hole in the state’s budget this year. Against this backdrop, legislators were looking anywhere and everywhere for places to cut. One of the places they didn’t? Charters. In fact, across virtually every major revenue stream, we managed to either hold the line or increase funding for our schools. This included a 3.6% increase to PPR, more than $5 million in additional funding for CSI Equalization, and millions of dollars in PERA savings for DPS charters. It also included protecting charters against threatened losses to at-risk supplemental resources, PPR, and part-time enrichment program funding.
Headline #2:
“League Efforts Lead to Historic Federal Investments in Colorado Charters”
The fall of 2024 can feel like a distant memory at this point, but it’s important to remember that that’s when League efforts delivered over $100 million in new federal funding to Colorado charters. $68 million of that came in the form of the new CSP grant (what we’re now calling Great Schools Colorado), while another $36M resulted from our push last year to get the state to commit to over $65M in new charter facilities funding over the next 5 years. That state commitment unlocked the $36M in federal match, which is now being distributed via CDE’s Charter School Facility Assistance Program.
Headline #3:
“With a $250M Moral Obligation Cap Increase, the League Helps Colorado Charters Take Another Step Forward on Facilities”
Recognizing the unique challenge Colorado charters often face when it comes to facilities, we’re constantly on the lookout for ways we can improve the landscape on this topic for our schools. This year that took the form of an increase to the cap on the state’s Moral Obligation Program. Without an increase, we would have quickly hit the limit, and no more schools would have been able to take advantage of this program’s significant cost-saving features. With it, we’ve now reached the point where the state can back up $1 billion in charter private market bonds, adding to the more than $100,000,000 in interest savings that this program has afforded Colorado’s charters over the past 20 years.
Headline #4:
“The League Fends off Anti-Charter Majorities and Anti-Charter Legislation”
It’s easy to forget, but back in the fall the League’s sister 501(c)(4) – CLCS Action – played a significant role in helping ward off the first anti-charter majority in the history of Colorado’s State Board of Education. As the appellate body that hears all cases involving disputes between charters and their districts, a loss in the November State Board election could have had disastrous consequences for the sector. Additionally, as a direct result of the League’s proactive work with partners and elected officials to keep such proposals off the table, no broad anti-charter legislation even made it to draft paper during the 2025 session. We also successfully blocked introduction of a proposal that would have handed the state legislature sweeping control over CSI decisions.
Headline #5:
“While Advancing Regulatory Relief, the League Protects Charter Autonomy”
The League took an important first step this session in reducing burdensome requirements and regulations by reforming the UIP process. Additionally, two bills when introduced this cycle wanted to create a statewide policy on cell phone use in schools and a process to remove and display library resources. In both of these cases, the League worked closely with sponsors to amend the bills and allow local charter boards to create their own policies, rather than be subject to the authorizing district’s or the state’s. The League also worked to amend bills that would have impacted dress codes, added new high school requirements around financial literacy, and imposed new financial reporting requirements, the last of which lost. As we head into the interim, we look forward to working with you to identify and unwind additional costly and unnecessary regulations that hamper innovation and student achievement.
The results of all this hard work? A sector that once again grew – by nearly 1,000 students to be exact – in the midst of an environment marked by widespread enrollment declines. In fact, since 2017, enrollment in public charters across Colorado has grown by 15,000 students while non-charter enrollment has declined by 45,000 students over that same time period. All this while the sector continues to get results. A Keystone Policy Center report this year found that, across many of Colorado’s most historically underserved communities, students are 33 percentage points more likely to attend a Green, or “Performance,” school when attending a charter versus not.
None of this would have been possible without you, your engagement with the League, and your commitment to the students and families you serve. Thank you for that and for all the hard work that has gone into making this year such a resounding success.
Sincerely,
Dan Schaller, President
Colorado League of Charter Schools
🎉 National Charter Schools Week: May 11–17
National Charter Schools Week is just around the corner, and it’s the perfect time to spotlight the incredible stories, people, and impact behind your school community. From student achievements to teacher shoutouts and family testimonials, there are countless ways to showcase what makes your charter school special.
To make it easy, the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools has put together a 2025 NCSW Partner Toolkit filled with ready-to-use graphics, messaging templates, and content ideas to help you plan and promote your celebrations.
Let’s come together to elevate the charter school movement and make some noise across Colorado and beyond!
đź“Ą Download the toolkit and start planning your posts, stories, and spotlights today.
Legislative Wrap-Up: Major Wins
The 2025 legislative session has officially come to a close—and the results are in. From protecting funding streams and autonomy to advancing charter-friendly policies, this session brought powerful progress for charter schools across the state.
đź“– Read our full update to see what we accomplished together and what it means for your school in the year ahead.
👉 Don’t forget to register for our May 12 webinar for a deeper dive into the most impactful bills.
🔦 Senior Spotlight: Harsha Chundru, Prospect Ridge Academy
This year, three of our Charter Champions are graduating high school and heading into the next phase of their lives. To celebrate, we're catching up with each of them to discover what their training has provided, and what's next for both life and leadership.
What specific skills or knowledge did you acquire as a Charter Champion that you find most valuable?
I learned more about the legislative process and how to advocate for education reform. One of the most significant lessons I gained is how to develop powerful messages that will appeal to policymakers, and how vital it is to form coalitions to drive change.
What are your next plans, and how do you envision your role as a leader evolving in that setting?
As I graduate, I will be going on to college and pursuing a double major in finance and data science, with the hope of becoming an attorney. I envision my leadership role growing to fight for educational equity, particularly in underprivileged communities. I want to do things that provide a voice for students, and I'm going to use the advocacy and leadership skills that I've learned in the Charter Champion program to become a visible force of change in education.
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🍽️ For NRCCS, the Struggle for School Meals is Real
Nestled 17 miles outside of Steamboat Springs, North Routt Community Charter School (NRCCS) faces a unique and pressing challenge: securing reliable meal service for its students. Like many schools across rural areas, NRCCS is not part of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) because its location makes finding a vendor – who must comply with NSLP requirements – challenging. As a result, students and families in these areas are missing out on both nutritional and economic benefits.
For ten years, this rural school in Routt County has depended on a single vendor to provide meals, a local general store who made cold sack lunches – though not as part of NSLP. With service soon discontinuing, NRCCS finds itself at a critical crossroads.
“We are going to lose our vendor who has provided school lunch to NRCCS for the past decade,” says Principal Daniel Kohler. “We have tried working with other restaurants close to school and even ran a pilot program for two weeks."
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đź“ą Navigating the Transition to Student Centered Coaching
Author Diane Sweeney is a respected voice in professional development and a trailblazer for student-centered coaching. Listen as she addresses the most common challenges encountered in migrating to this approach. Filmed live at The Book Nook, a part of the 2025 Colorado Charter Schools Annual Conference.
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📢 Save the Dates: 2025 Leadership Summit + 2026 Annual Conference
Mark your calendars for two of the Colorado charter sector’s most anticipated events!
Join us this fall at the 2025 Leadership Summit on October 10 at The Ritz-Carlton, Denver—an exclusive gathering for school leaders, board members, and decision-makers focused on strategic growth and connection. Then, come together again for the 2026 Annual Colorado Charter Schools Conference, happening February 25–27 at the Denver Marriott Tech Center. This three-day event is your opportunity to learn, collaborate, and celebrate with charter educators and advocates from across the state.
🎟️ Early bird registration is now open for both events—secure your spot today!
đź’“ Staff Transition: Farewell to Patti Glock
We wanted to let you know that Patti Glock, Director of Business Services, has transitioned from her role. Patti was an invaluable resource to many stakeholders in the sector and was recognized for her signature smile, kindness, and willingness to lend a helping hand. In response to the pandemic, Patti helped launch the Finance and Operations Cohort in 2020, which has grown to be one of our most regularly attended learning communities. She was an integral part of our staff, and we wish her the best in her next venture. Any questions or inquiries regarding business operations and finance can be directed to Bill Knous, Senior Director of Quality and Growth, at [email protected].
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Upcoming Support Sessions
Please note: Important updates have been made to the CSP Subgrant RFA, including revisions to several narrative sections, a new scoring rubric, and an extended application deadline: May 28, 2025, at 5 p.m. MDT.
Be sure to review the full list of changes and reach out if you've already submitted an affected section.
To support your application, join us for two targeted sessions:
🔹 May 13 – Prospect Cohort: Training & Technical Assistance
🔹 May 15 – Business & Operations Cohort: Financial sustainability & best practices
💡 Don’t miss this opportunity to strengthen your application and connect with peers.
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Crown Pointe Academy Breaks Ground on Pre-K–2 Expansion!
Crown Pointe Academy has officially broken ground on a new 26,000-square-foot Pre-K–2nd Grade facility, marking its third major expansion in 27 years of serving the Southwest Westminster community. Opening in August 2026, the building will add 14 classrooms, accommodate 275 more students, and create 30 full-time jobs. The future is bright at Crown Pointe! 🌟
Learning Opportunities
How Parents Think About School Enrollment
Avela, a leading provider of enrollment and school choice solutions, recently surveyed hundreds of parents across the country to understand how families search for and select schools. The findings reveal key insights that can help charter leaders improve outreach, increase enrollment, and better meet family needs. Download the full report.
Evidence-Informed Strategies for Math Instruction (July Cohort)
CDE’s free, self-paced math course is now accepting interest forms for its third cohort. Designed for K–12 educators, it offers 14 modules, school-wide facilitation guides, and optional graduate credit—complete the form for priority registration.
Get Involved
Submit Your Promising Partnership Practices Year-round
SACPIE and CDE are collecting standout partnership practices for the eleventh annual Promising Partnership Practices—Colorado book. Schools, districts, and educational organizations are encouraged to submit their initiatives year-round to highlight innovative collaborations for student success.
Join the League for a comprehensive recap of the 2025 Legislative Session. We’ll break down key education-related bills, policy outcomes, and what it all means for Colorado charter schools. Monday, May 12, 1 PM.
Find a Learning Community
Enhance your professional growth with our ten specialized Learning Communities. From board chairs to marketing professionals, these opportunities will help you collaborate, learn, and strengthen the charter school community.
Resources & Grants
Free Girls’ Leadership Curriculum
Lean In Girls is a free, evidence-based leadership curriculum for girls ages 11–15, designed to build confidence, reframe failure, and inspire bold leadership. With 15 one-hour sessions, it’s easy to implement in after-school programs, advisory, or enrichment periods. Learn more or join an info session to see how schools nationwide are empowering girls to lead with confidence!
Free K-12 Math Resources
The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) has released free K-12 math resources to improve student proficiency. Developed with educators and institutions, these toolkits offer research-based materials, assessments, and activities to address declining math scores.
CDE Updates
CDE's Response to April 3 Title VI Certification Request
The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) will not collect or submit signed copies of the April 3 Title VI certification, as it was not approved under the Paperwork Reduction Act and lacks legal clarity. CDE remains committed to Title VI compliance and will submit the most recent OMB-approved civil rights assurances. Read the full announcement here.
CDE Statement on DHS Directive Change Regarding Sensitive Locations and Protected Areas
The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) is aware of the recent DHS directive rescinding the designation of schools as “sensitive locations” for federal immigration activities. CDE remains committed to ensuring all students, regardless of immigration status, have access to a safe learning environment and encourages school leaders to review federal resources to support immigrant students and their families.
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Targeting the neediest students when race can’t be used*
Fordham Institute | May 8
Can school districts still work to close persistent achievement gaps in an era when race-targeted interventions may violate federal law?
Federal judge orders Trump administration to unblock pandemic relief money for schools
AP | May 7
A federal judge on Tuesday ordered the Education Department to undo a freeze on the last of the U.S. relief money given to schools to help students recover academically from the COVID-19 pandemic.
School funding bill headed to Gov. Jared Polis’ desk after Colorado lawmakers approve spending plan
Colorado Sun | May 7
Colorado lawmakers adopted a school funding plan Wednesday afternoon in the final hours of the 2025 legislative session, setting up a new school funding formula that would solidify increases for most of the state’s 178 districts next year.
School Spending Is Up. Teacher Pay Isn’t. See What’s Happening in 8,900 Districts
The 74 | May 7
School spending is up. So why aren’t teacher salaries? Read more.
Colorado adopts new school funding formula, setting stage for future changes
Sentinel | May 7
Colorado lawmakers finalized a sweeping shift in how the state funds public schools, passing House Bill 25-1320 on the final day of the 2025 legislative session.
Beyond Test Scores: 186 Innovative Educators on How to Know a School Is Good
The 74 | May 5
School options are proliferating, with the Trump administration and some state and federal policymakers encouraging choice-friendly policies.
Supreme Court Must Not Undermine Public Education in Religious Charter Case
The 74 | May 4
Last week, the Supreme Court held oral arguments in a case that could undermine public education across America.
Colorado schools will be required to adopt policies on students’ cell phone use after governor signs bill
Sky-Hi News | May 3
Colorado school districts and certain charter schools will need to adopt policies by July 2026 regulating how students use their cell phones under a bill signed into law Thursday by Gov. Jared Polis.
Arizona Autism Charter School Founder Tapped as Ed Dept. Special Education Chief
The 74 | May 1
The founder and executive director of a network of Arizona charter schools serving autistic children has been named the U.S. Education Department’s deputy assistant secretary for special education and rehabilitative services.
*Featured League Staff or Board Member
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