Welcome to the 2024-25 School Year

Forward into the next chapter

Welcome back to the school year! 

Here at the League, our members’ needs are what drive our efforts on a daily basis. We’re proud of all we accomplished last year in working collectively to increase PPR, drive up facilities funding, and equalize funding for CSI schools. We also successfully beat back one of the most anti-charter bills in Colorado history. But we’re not finished. We know the conditions to open, operate, and enroll students in Colorado remain challenging. We’re working on our 2025 legislative agenda now, and our sister organization, CLCS Action, remains intently focused on upcoming elections.

Even with all these past wins, it’s time to begin again. To start anew. We are constantly looking at additional ways to increase our value and enhance our support to you. As the new year kicks off, I wanted to share with you some ways that the League continues to up our game to better serve our schools, leaders, and communities. But if there are other topics or priorities you think we should be focused on, please don’t hesitate to reach out and let us know.

First, we’re opening a new chapter of voice and member representation. Starting in September, we’re continuing with our town hall series, and we’re planning regional meetings and school visits by our staff around the state. Reach out to schedule a visit from League staff or with your elected officials. With several new representatives, our Member Council also continues its great work of giving voice to the varied needs and interests of Colorado’s collective charter school community.

Second, we continue to escalate our work in grassroots advocacy. Through our sister 501(c)(4) organization CLCS Action, we are working to be more influential in local and state elections that are necessary to advance and defend quality charter schools, and we continue to build up momentum toward our legislative efforts by spending over $2 for every $1 received in membership dues. Imagine the force we could be if we were more effective at activating the 135,000+ families across the state currently benefiting from public charter schools.

Third, we’re launching and continuing efforts to ensure that quality and opportunity for all students are at the heart of what we do. In line with our organizational principles, we’re continuing with the implementation of our Member Quality Standards & Supports program. This initiative will elevate the urgency of quality amongst all of us. We are also waiting to find out whether the League will be chosen to administer the federal CSP program in Colorado. If we are awarded, we’ll be opening up a new five-year chapter of accelerating growth and quality in the Colorado educational ecosystem.

But even with all these efforts aligned with our new Strategic Plan, it is time to ensure that our ongoing work continues to focus on you, our members, and how we can help you succeed in the areas that help you deliver on your mission. 

If you’re new to the League, welcome. If you’re one of our long-standing members, thank you for your continued commitment. Here’s to a standout 2024-25 school year. Please let us know how we can best serve you.

Best,

Dan Schaller, President
Colorado League of Charter Schools