Business Operations - WI Resource Center for Charter Schools (WRCCS)

Governance Board: Business Operations

We have resources for Governance Board members that help them employ best practices for their charter school.

Communications Plan

Proficiency (Business Operations): Create/implement a school communication and engagement plan including social media, community meetings, Q+A sessions, and materials for distribution.

Proficiency (Culture): Develop/revisit methods and mechanisms to accept communication from all stakeholders to the board.

Proficiency (Governance Practice): Establish/ensure methods or systems for frequent and transparent communication between the board and the school leadership.

Communication Plan Slides (WRCCS) [Google slides]
Communication Plan Sample (WRCCS) [Google doc]
Communication Plan Template (WRCCS) [Google doc]
Social Media for Communication (WRCCS) [pdf]

Budget

Proficiency: Draft/document a business plan including annual budget needs and 3 to 5 year budget forecasts.

Budget Worksheet and Sample 5-Year Budget (WRCCS) [Google sheet]
5-Year Budget Draft (WRCCS) [Google sheet]
Budget Preparation Workbook (WRCCS) [Google sheet]
Charter School Finance Procedure Examples (WRCCS) [Google doc]
Charter School Budget Resource List (WRCCS) [Google doc]
Salary and Fringe Calculator (WRCCS) [Google sheet]
Expense Decisions for Your Charter School (WRCCS) [video]
Expense Decisions for Your Charter School (WRCCS) [Google doc]
Special Education Funding Explained (WRCCS) [Google doc]
Example: Milwaukee Public Schools Example Budget Template (MPS) [Excel sheet]
Example: High Marq Budgets 2015-23 (High Marq) [Google sheet)

Financial Oversight

Proficiencies: Outline/define how the charter school business plan supports the school mission, student achievement, and stakeholder satisfaction.

Develop/revisit understanding of the financial responsibilities of governance board as it relates to the school's overall expenses

Create/refine a plan to prioritize spending based on school mission.

Charter School Finance 101 (WRCCS) [Google slides]
District Charter School Finance Guidance Overview (WRCCS) [Google doc]
Purchased Services Worksheet (WRCCS) [Google sheet]
Charter School Grant Purchasing Guide (WRCCS) [Google doc]
LEA 101: Establishing (and Maintaining) an ICS as an LEA in WI (2024) (DPI) [YouTube video]
LEA 101: Establishing (and Maintaining) an ICS as an LEA in WI (2024) (DPI) [Google slides]
50 Questions a Board Member Should Ask (Board on Track) [pdf]
Top Board Financial Mistakes & How to Avoid Them (Board on Track) [pdf]
Financial Reporting (WRCCS) [jpg]
Examples of Financial Charter Contract Language (WRCCS) [Google doc]

Mission & Vision Examples

General Finance

Proficiency: Create/refine plan for auditing, reviewing, and reporting on finances annually.

Charter School Finance 101 Presentation (WRCCS) [video]
Wisconsin Uniform Financial Accounting Requirements (DPI) [webpage]
Wisconsin Charter School Funding (WRCCS) [jpg]
Per Pupil Allocation by District (21-22) (DPI) [webpage]
Finance Committee Description (Board on Track) [pdf]
Finding a Vendor for Your Charter School (WRCCS) [Google doc]

Equipment and Supplies

Proficiency (Business Operations): Regularly examine/finalize the potential needs for contracting out services to support business operations.

Proficiency (Startup and Sustainability): Create, maintain, prioritize, and implement a list of appropriate furniture and equipment based on needs and priorities of school/facility.

Inventory Template (WRCCS) [Google sheet]
Finding the Right Charter Space (NCRC) [pdf]

Fund Development

Click the graphic above to view a list of the WRCCS Charter School Competencies for Governance Boards.

Quick Links

governance: Business Operations