Reengaged and Ready - Guiding Charter School Leaders to Success
- Miles Durfee
- Mar 24
- 3 min read
Nearly a year ago, I stepped away from my role at the California Charter Schools Association to spend more quality time with family, explore new places, and enjoy some much-needed reflection. I’ll admit it felt strange at first having a calendar free from nonstop meetings; I almost didn’t recognize myself without the daily Zoom marathon. With more than two decades of collaborating closely with school districts and charter schools, I’ve built lasting friendships and deep connections with charter leaders and others in the community throughout California. Taking this break allowed me to gain fresh perspective on the evolving landscape of charter education, reinforcing my belief that exceptional leadership, thoughtful advocacy, and operational excellence aren’t just buzzwords but essential ingredients for success.
I've always been committed to expanding educational opportunities and advocating for quality education for every student. Although the mission remains unchanged, my approach has evolved. With new challenges for charter schools, leaders need better tools, stronger support, and smarter strategies for success over the long-term.
To meet these needs, I’m reengaging with the charter school and nonprofit communities with a renewed focus on three key areas:
Charter Renewal Advocacy & Preparation
Charter renewal has always been a high-stakes process, but with shifting policies and increasing scrutiny, it’s more important than ever for schools to be prepared. To position a school for renewal approval, the process requires more than compliance or strong academic results. It demands proactive advocacy, clear storytelling, strategic use of data, and consistent open communication with both the authorizer and the community.
I support schools by providing guidance and strategic support throughout the charter renewal process. My approach empowers school teams to take charge of their renewal efforts with clarity and confidence. Services include:
Assessing renewal readiness to identify strengths, gaps, and areas for improvement. Take the Charter School Renewal Assessment today
Refining and revising petition submissions to ensure clarity, accuracy, and alignment with requirements.
Developing stakeholder engagement strategies to build strong support from the school community.
Utilizing general templates or creating customized strategies tailored to each school’s specific needs.
Helping staff track performance trends and effectively demonstrate compliance.
Managing project timelines to keep the renewal process on schedule.
Analyzing critical data to strengthen the case for renewal and clearly communicate impact.
My goal is to equip your team with the tools and strategies needed to create a compelling and thorough renewal submission.
Leadership Succession Planning
Leadership transitions can make or break an organization. Schools need a proactive plan—not just to fill a role, but to ensure continuity, stability, and long-term success. I work with schools to develop customized succession plans, helping them identify and prepare future leaders, create mentorship structures, and establish clear transition processes.
Building strong relationships and developing a deep understanding of leadership requires active engagement with the school, the broader community, supporters, and even critics. Effective leadership is not just about managing the present. It involves creating intentional systems and processes that prevent crisis management from becoming a constant reality. When the leader prioritizes strategic planning and collaboration, they can build a foundation that anticipates challenges, strengthens community support, and best positions the organization for long-term stability and success.
Charter School Hotline for Leaders (In-Development)
Leadership is full of urgent, high-pressure moments—times when having the right guidance at the right time can make all the difference. That’s why I’m working to launch a Charter School Hotline, providing real-time support for school leaders facing critical decisions. Whether it’s navigating a policy shift, troubleshooting an operational challenge, or preparing for a board meeting, leaders will have access to expert insights exactly when they need them.
AI-driven tools allow for new processes to connect people with other’s that face a similar challenge or question. Paired with personalized expertise, these tools ensure leaders spend less time on problems and more time focusing on student success. It also allows for leaders to get a response from someone removed from the geography of their school or with someone close to their school as is needed based on the nature of their need
Moving Forward
As I return to this work, I’m bringing not just my years of experience but also a fresh perspective on how schools can leverage innovation to strengthen their foundations.
To explore more about Community Leadership Strategies, visit www.clstrategies360.com, or schedule a complimentary session to connect or reconnect.
If you’re a school leader, board member, or community stakeholder looking to navigate these challenges effectively, let’s connect.
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