Now is the time of year when you should be thinking about your school’s leadership for the 25-26 school year: its qualifications, experience, and personalities. 

Whether you are a board chair looking for a head-of-school or the outgoing head trying to find a visionary and hard-working replacement, pay attention now to the search.

How do I search and get just the right head, principal, or key staffer such as a director of communications or fundraising?

You certainly can do it yourself. It’s best to rely heavily on Indeed, the recruitment service that works the best for me in doing ED searches. It’s followed closely by Linkedin and a job posting with the NC. Association of Public Charter Schools.

First job: figure out what the ideal person is and make that into a job description. That needs to be comprehensive but not too long as to bore the reader. Paint a picture of your school that will attract good candidates.

Teacher retention is a critical issue for charter schools, which often face unique challenges such as limited funding, high expectations, and increased autonomy. Retaining skilled and motivated teachers is essential for maintaining a high standard of education and fostering a positive school culture. Here are several strategies that charter school leaders can implement to retain their teaching staff:

1. Provide Competitive Compensation and Benefits

While charter schools may have limited budgets, offering competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits packages can make a significant difference in retaining quality teachers. This can include health benefits, retirement plans, performance bonuses, and professional development stipends. If direct compensation is constrained, consider non-monetary perks like additional planning time or wellness programs.

2. Foster a Supportive Work Environment

Teachers are more likely to stay when they feel supported by their administrators and peers. Charter school leaders can create a supportive culture by providing consistent feedback, opportunities for professional growth, and clear communication. Establishing mentorship programs and collaborative teaching teams can also help new and veteran teachers alike feel connected and valued.

3. Offer Opportunities for Professional Development

Teachers are passionate about growing their skills and improving their craft. Charter school leaders can retain teachers by offering ongoing professional development opportunities, such as workshops, conferences, and access to coaching. Encouraging teachers to pursue further education and certifications can also make them feel more invested in their careers.

4. Recognize and Appreciate Teachers' Efforts

Regular recognition of teachers' hard work can go a long way in boosting morale and job satisfaction. Whether through formal awards, public recognition at meetings, or simple thank-you notes, acknowledging teachers’ efforts fosters a positive work environment and reinforces the value of their contributions.

50CAN recently published The State of Educational Opportunity in America:  A 50-State Survey of 20,000 Parents.  This first-of-its-kind report highlights how parents in all 50 states perceive the current education landscape.  50CAN surveyed more than 20,000 parents and then analyzed this data in both a national and regional context.  The report not only analyzes parents/guardians by state, it also looks at income, educational attainment and other categories, including the type of school where their children are enrolled.  

Of charter school parents/guardians, 50% say they are satisfied with the type of school their child attends, compared to just 39% of traditional public school parents.  In addition, 73% of charter school parents/guardians say that if they could choose any type of school for their child they would choose a charter school.  Only 59% of parents/guardians stated that a traditional district school would be their first choice.

In North Carolina, 403 parents/guardians were surveyed this past summer.  40% of those surveyed are satisfied with their child’s school compared to 45% nationally.  61% of parents/guardians feel like they have a choice in what school their child attends compared to 65% nationally.  Only 32% of North Carolina parents/guardians are satisfied with how their school supports their child’s mental health needs compared to 37% nationally.  32% of parents/guardians in our state have reviewed information about their child’s school’s performance compared to other schools.  Only 32% of parents/guardians in North Carolina have extreme confidence their child will be well equipped to succeed in the workforce compared to 34% nationally.  Lastly, only 29% of parents/guardians in our state have extreme confidence their child will be prepared for college compared to 32% nationally.

Check out the full report for more information.

According to state-level data analyzed by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools in a new report, Do You Know Where the Children Are? A Five-Year Analysis of Public School Enrollment, for the 2023-24 school year, North Carolina’spublic charter school enrollment grew by 24.32% percent or 28,839 students. Charter schools in North Carolina were the only type of public schools to grow this year.   

Nationally, over the past five years, charter schools gained nearly 400,000 students, while district schools lost 1.75 million. Hispanic and Black families are increasingly choosing charter schools, with Hispanic enrollment growing 18 times faster in charters than in district schools.  More than half of the new Black charter school students came from three states: Texas, Florida, and North Carolina.  In North Carolina, Black charter school enrollment has grown by 23.83% over the last five years.  Hispanic charter school enrollment in North Carolina increased by 53.47% over the last five years.

The data underscores the importance of offering diverse, high-quality education choices to families. As charter schools continue to flourish amidst declining district enrollment, it’s clear that parents are seeking innovative public school models that better meet the needs of their children. Dive into the full report to explore these key trends and their implications for the future of public education.