On this episode of The Charter School Insider Podcast, host Daniel Casselli, President at BuyQ, sits down with Ebonie Durham, Executive Director of Great Lakes Academy, to discuss how strategic partnerships can transform the student experience and strengthen charter school communities.

Drawing on her background in charter school operations and leadership, Ebonie shares how Great Lakes Academy has built powerful partnerships that support students beyond the classroom. From behavioral health programs and emotional tutoring to innovative nutrition initiatives and community-based services, she explains how schools can align partnerships with mission, culture, and student needs.

This episode explores how charter school leaders can identify the right partners, build operational systems to support collaboration, and create sustainable programs that improve student outcomes. Ebonie also shares how an abundance mindset and strong operational leadership can turn partnerships into long-term community assets.

WHY THIS MATTERS FOR CHARTER SCHOOL LEADERS

Charter school leaders face increasing pressure to support students academically while also addressing broader needs such as mental health, nutrition, and family engagement.

This episode highlights how partnerships can help schools extend their impact without overburdening internal staff. By working with mission-aligned partners, schools can offer services that improve student well-being, increase attendance, and strengthen community relationships.

Ebonie’s approach demonstrates that strong operational leadership is critical for successful partnerships. Schools that build systems for collaboration, accountability, and feedback are far more likely to create partnerships that deliver measurable results for students.

Interested in becoming a guest?

Contact us at podcast@buyq.org

Learn more: buyq.org/podcast

Charter school finance leaders are navigating one of the most complex operating environments the sector has faced in years. From declining enrollment and shifting funding models to increasing compliance requirements, CFOs must balance financial sustainability while staying true to their mission.

In this episode of The Charter School Insider Podcast, host Daniel Casselli, President at BuyQ, sits down with Michael Wimbish, Chief Financial Officer at Aspire Public Schools, to discuss how finance leaders can lead through uncertainty while building trust across their organizations.

Managing finances for 36 charter schools across California, Michael shares how Aspire approaches financial sustainability, transparent communication, and data-driven decision making. He also introduces a practical framework that helps leaders think about the biggest financial pressures facing charter school networks today.

For charter school executives navigating today's uncertain landscape, this episode offers valuable insights into how CFOs can balance mission, metrics, and organizational trust.

WHY THIS MATTERS FOR CHARTER SCHOOL LEADERS?

Charter school leaders today must navigate a rapidly evolving financial landscape while maintaining strong academic outcomes.

As funding pressures grow and enrollment patterns shift, leaders must develop systems that support both financial sustainability and school-level autonomy.

This episode offers practical insights for charter school executives, CFOs, and operations leaders on how to:

• Build financial frameworks for long-term sustainability
• Communicate financial realities across large organizations
• Use data to forecast enrollment and budget planning
• Balance mission-driven investments with financial discipline

For charter networks operating multiple schools, these strategies are essential for leading through uncertainty while maintaining trust and alignment across teams.

Interested in becoming a guest?

Contact us at podcast@buyq.org

Learn more: buyq.org/podcast

Running a charter school network requires a delicate balance: empowering campus leaders while maintaining the systems that keep an organization running smoothly.

In Episode #66 of The Charter School Insider Podcast, host Daniel Casselli, President at BuyQ, sits down with Jason Mellen, Network Director of Operations and Compliance at AppleTree Institute for Education Innovation in Washington, DC.

Jason oversees operations across 13 micro-campuses serving early childhood learners, where each school operates with unique needs—but must still align with network-wide standards.

In this episode, Jason shares practical strategies for balancing autonomy and accountability, building operational guardrails, and strengthening the principal–operations partnership that drives operational excellence.

From designing smarter budget systems to improving team collaboration and reducing campus conflict, this conversation offers valuable insights for charter school leaders responsible for scaling systems without stifling innovation.

WHY THIS MATTERS FOR CHARTER SCHOOL LEADERS

Charter school networks face a unique operational challenge: they must maintain consistent standards across schools while allowing individual campuses to adapt to local needs.

Without strong operational systems, networks risk:

• Inconsistent student experiences across campuses
• Budget mismanagement
• Operational confusion between leadership roles
• Knowledge loss due to staff turnover

Interested in becoming a guest?

Contact us at podcast@buyq.org

Learn more: buyq.org/podcast