Thank You for Joining Us!
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2026 Annual Finance Seminar! We appreciated the opportunity to bring Colorado charter school finance, operations, and school leaders together for a day of practical learning, collaboration, and connection.
Throughout the day, attendees explored topics ranging from Colorado's changing school funding landscape and budget planning to financial health, facility financing, AI and automation, and effective financial communication.
Seminar Resources
Whether you joined us and want to revisit a session or weren't able to attend, we've made the resources available below. You'll find session recordings, presentation decks, and additional handouts and resources from the seminar.
Colorado's School Funding Formula: What Matters for Charter Schools in 2026–2027
This session explored Colorado's new school funding formula and the legislative changes shaping how charter schools are funded. Attendees learned more about the philosophy behind the new formula, how the statute is being interpreted and implemented, and what schools can expect as the transition continues.
[View the Slide Deck] | [Watch the Recording]
AI & Automation for Charter School Business Offices: Less Admin, More Impact
This practical session demonstrated how AI and automation could help charter school business offices reduce administrative work and improve consistency. Attendees saw examples of AI turning financial data into board-ready narratives, transforming notes into repeatable workflows, and supporting more efficient day-to-day operations while being used safely and responsibly.
[View the Slide Deck] | [Watch the Recording]
Budget Development & Scenario Planning in an Uncertain Environment
This session explored practical approaches to budget forecasting and scenario planning amid enrollment volatility, funding uncertainty, and rising costs. Attendees learned strategies for planning for multiple possible futures and using financial projections to support informed decision-making and long-term sustainability.
[View the Slide Deck] | [Watch the Recording]
Capital Planning & Financing: Understanding Your Facility Funding Options
This session provided an overview of the capital financing options available to charter schools considering a facility purchase, construction project, or renovation. Attendees learned about common financing approaches and the factors schools should consider when determining which options may best support their facility needs.
[View the Slide Deck] | [Watch the Recording]
Colorado's New Bond Bill: New Opportunities for Charter School Facilities
This session explored Colorado's new charter bond legislation and the opportunities it created for charter school facility funding. Attendees learned practical steps schools could take to prepare for future district bond opportunities, including long-term facility planning, maintaining a facilities project list, understanding district bond processes, and building productive relationships with district partners.
[View the Slide Deck] | [League Bond Bill Key]
Communicating School Finances: Building Effective Partnerships Between Business Managers, School Leaders & Boards
This session focused on strengthening financial communication between business managers, school leaders, and governing boards. Attendees explored practical strategies for presenting financial information, supporting productive board discussions, and helping decision-makers understand and focus on the financial issues that matter most.
[View the Slide Deck] | [Watch the Recording] | [LeadJoy Preliminary Budget Template] | [LeadJoy Three Scenario Framework]
Lessons from the Field: What High-Performing Charter Finance Teams Are Doing Differently
This peer-focused session highlighted practical lessons and successful strategies from charter school finance and operational leaders across Colorado. Attendees heard real-world insights from professionals navigating similar financial, operational, and governance challenges and learned approaches they could bring back to their own schools.