Charter School Board Governance Playbook

A Practical Guide for Strong, Effective Charter School Leadership

Developed by the Colorado League of Charter Schools, the Charter School Board Governance Playbook is your go-to resource for strengthening board leadership, improving oversight, and navigating the unique challenges of charter governance.

Designed for current and aspiring board members, this comprehensive guide covers essential topics—from legal responsibilities and financial oversight to academic performance and effective meetings.

What’s Inside:
Each chapter includes:

  • Clear objectives to guide your learning
  • Board discussion and action prompts for hands-on application
  • Case studies to spark meaningful conversation
  • Tools and templates for immediate use
  • Appendices with worksheets, policies, and real-world examples

Whether onboarding new members or planning a retreat, the playbook offers flexible formats that fit your board’s needs.

Chapters At-A-Glance

  • Board Fundamentals
  • Legal Responsibilities
  • Financial Oversight
  • School Leader Hiring, Oversight & Evaluation
  • Navigating Risk
  • Academic Performance
  • Meetings & Board Member Development
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Charter School Board Governance Playbook

A Practical Guide for Strong, Effective Charter School Leadership Developed by the Colorado League of Charter Schools, the Charter School Board Governance Playbook is your go-to resource for strengthening board leadership, improving oversight, and navigating the unique challenges of charter governance. Designed for current and aspiring board members, this comprehensive guide covers essential topics—from legal responsibilities and financial oversight to academic performance and effective meetings.

Charter Board Training Course Now Available!

Strengthen your board. Strengthen your school.

Bring the Charter Board Playbook to life with the Charter Board Training Course — a guided, self-paced learning experience that equips charter board members and school leaders with practical tools for effective governance.

Six Practical Modules:

  1. Foundations of Charter Governance
  2. Board Responsibilities & Legal Compliance
  3. Financial Oversight & Budgeting
  4. Evaluating & Supporting School Leadership
  5. Academic Accountability & Performance
  6. Strategic Meetings & Board Development

Ideal for board members, school leaders, committee members, and authorizer liaisons. Learn anytime, anywhere. Certificates available upon completion.

Launch the Course


 

Instructions for Access
  1. Login or create an account here.

  2. In the left navigation bar, click Register for Courses and view "NEW LEAGUE Board Trainings 2025-2026"

  3. Take each module in sequence OR pick and choose

  4. Click More Info > Add to Basket > Review Basket > Check Out > Submit Order

  5. There is no charge for these modules.

  6. Your module is now available in the left navigation bar under "My courses"

  7. Locate records of your completed courses under "My Education Dashboard" in the left navigation bar