Fewer Students, Tighter Budgets: Board Questions for the Long Game
Engaged and informed charter school boards routinely ask the same high-stakes questions: What happens if enrollment drops another 5%? What's the plan if state funding changes yet again? How long can we sustain this? The schools that answer those questions with confidence aren't just reporting accurately, they're leading strategically. This session is designed for school leaders and board members who want to get ahead of the conversation rather than scrambling to catch up with it. The presenters will dig into the five questions every board should be asking in a declining enrollment environment, walk through a practitioner-tested framework for protecting and expanding financial margin, and explore what it actually looks like to build a multi-year sustainability plan when ADA is trending in the wrong direction. Hear directly from a charter finance leader and two charter network leaders who have navigated these pressures in real time and leave with a clearer picture of what board-ready financial leadership looks like and the tools to help schools get there.
Presented by
Jillayne Antoon River Charter Schools
Jason Sitomer Head of Client Finance Charter Impact
Jason serves as the Managing Director for Charter Impact, where he leads a team of 21 directors supporting the financial operations of more than 130 charter schools nationwide. He joined the organization four years ago and plays a key role in strategic growth, fiscal oversight, and client thought partnership. Prior to Charter Impact, Jason served as Senior Director of Finance for a large charter network comprising 27 schools. Over his five-year tenure, he oversaw financial forecasting, cash management, banking relationships, authorizer compliance, and strategic reporting. Jason is a committed advocate for school choice and expanding educational opportunities beyond the traditional public school system.
Dr. Jessica Umphress Director of Operations Credo High School
