Charter School Insider: The Business of Running Schools

When it comes to teacher retention, onboarding isn’t just the first step—it’s the foundation. In this episode, Keith Vigraham, VP of HR at Vertex Education, shares his two decades of experience working with charter schools across the country to break down what a successful onboarding process really looks like. From the moment a teacher signs an offer letter to their first chaotic day in the classroom, Keith offers smart, tactical advice to ensure your staff not only stays—but thrives.

He and host Daniel Casselli dive deep into why onboarding is your school's first cultural impression, the difference between pre-service and mid-year onboarding, and how to creatively engage staff through every phase. Whether you're a seasoned operator or rethinking your process for the upcoming school year, this episode offers actionable takeaways you can implement now.

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What if staffing decisions weren’t just about qualifications—but also about personalities, team dynamics, and leadership potential?

In this energizing episode of The Charter School Insider Podcast, host Daniel Casselli, President at BuyQ, sits down with Racheal Sewards, Founder and Executive Director of Solare Collegiate Charter School. Racheal shares how her school is challenging traditional staffing models by redistributing leadership roles to classroom teachers and aligning teams based on interpersonal chemistry—not just credentials.

With a bold blend of restorative justice, teacher stipends, and grade-level leadership teams, Racheal is redefining what it means to lead in a post-COVID charter school world. Whether you're scaling your school, dealing with high turnover, or reimagining your org chart, this episode is packed with real strategies and innovative thinking you can borrow (and steal!).

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Great operations leaders don’t just get things done—they build teams that trust each other, communicate clearly, and move fast together.

In this episode, Jill Dunchick—veteran educator, school leader, and leadership coach—joins Daniel Casselli to deliver one of the most practical, tactical conversations yet. Jill shares how charter school ops leaders can create aligned, high-functioning teams by investing in trust and organizing their time wisely.

From building psychological safety using Brene Brown’s BRAVING framework to running truly intentional meetings, this episode gives school executives a playbook for developing stronger ops teams—starting now.

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What does it really take to build a charter school from scratch—and do it well?

In this milestone 50th episode, we sit down with Dermoth Mattison, founder of South Shore Charter School, to explore how intentionality in the early days can lay the groundwork for a thriving school culture and academic excellence. From rigorous SUNY authorizer expectations to community-driven design, Dermoth walks us through the highs and hurdles of opening a school that serves both heart and head.

Discover how systems and culture are inseparable, how South Shore hit a 99% student success rate in its first year, and why your Plan B (and C) might be the key to unlocking long-term success.

If you're a school leader, executive, or founder planning your next move—this is the episode you didn’t know you needed.

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What do growing charter schools have in common? In this special compilation episode of The Charter School Insider, we’re bringing together the sharpest insights from enrollment-focused conversations with top charter leaders. 

Hear from: 

You’ll walk away with practical answers to questions like: 

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In this special live episode, recorded at the Colorado League of Charter Schools Conference 2025, host Daniel Casselli sits down with powerhouse education leader Jen Davis Wickens. As the founder of Impact Public Schools and co-founder of Seminar—a national community platform for charter leaders—Jen shares the top leadership insights, trends, and challenges emerging from Seminar’s first year.

With over 1,500 school leaders across the country now connected through Seminar, Jen brings a national perspective on the evolving needs of charter leadership today. From succession gaps and post-COVID recovery to the urgent demand for tactical skills in enrollment, governance, and fundraising, this episode offers a timely pulse-check on the movement. Jen’s reflections on what makes today’s leaders uniquely positioned to shape the next era of charter education will inspire and inform anyone working to elevate their school community.

Want to learn more, visit: www.buyq.org

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Understanding bond ratings can be a game-changer for charter school leaders navigating facility financing. In this episode, Daniel Casselli sits down with Blake Cullimore, a senior analyst at Moody’s Public Rating Finance Group, to demystify the world of bond ratings and their impact on charter schools. Blake shares insights into the rating process, key financial and qualitative factors that shape ratings, and how schools can prepare for future facility financing. Whether you're considering a bond rating or just want to deepen your financial acumen, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways.

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What happens when a charter school leader takes a hard look at the data—and doesn’t look away? In this episode, The Charter School Insider Podcast host Daniel Casselli welcomes James Cryan, founder of Willow Education and former CEO of Rocky Mountain Prep, for a deeply reflective conversation on the power (and pitfalls) of data-driven leadership.

From jaw-dropping statistics about post-secondary outcomes to the tough calls that come with mission-driven leadership, James opens up about what it takes to move beyond surface-level metrics and drive meaningful, lasting change for students. You’ll hear why 100% college acceptance may not be the win you think it is, how to connect KPIs with real student stories, and why having “bathroom goals” might just revolutionize your school culture.

If you’re a charter school executive grappling with how to make data work for you (instead of overwhelming you), this episode is your playbook.

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In this episode of The Charter School Insider, we’re joined by Reyes Claudio, the dynamic Chief Operations and Community Relations Officer at Brilla Public Schools. Reyes takes us deep into what it really means to serve a community — not just in theory, but in day-to-day practice.

She shares Brilla’s powerful philosophy that community engagement is not a tactic but a foundational value — and how that authenticity naturally drives enrollment. From transforming main offices into neighborhood resource hubs to throwing epic Bronx-style block parties, Brilla is rewriting the rules of school marketing through genuine connection. If you’re looking for strategies that don’t just boost numbers but build legacy, this is an episode you can’t miss.

Learn more: https://buyq.org/podcast

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Financials aren’t just numbers—they tell a story. In this episode, Neil Shah, a seasoned CFO for nonprofits, joins Daniel Casselli to break down the power of financial storytelling and why it’s essential for charter school leaders. From understanding financial data to using it to make strategic decisions, Neil shares practical insights on how to translate financial reports into compelling narratives that drive action. Whether you’re navigating budgeting, forecasting, or fundraising, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways to help you become a better financial storyteller.

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