We hope this issue of Charter Connect finds you refreshed from the holidays and ready to deliver big results for kids in 2026! January gives us double the reason to celebrate: National School Board Month and National School Choice Week (Jan. 25–31). To honor both, we’ve built a high-impact lineup of first-quarter Lunch & Learns designed to support YOU and strengthen the work of your governing board. Mark your calendars for each of our next three sessions. Not only are they free, online, and approved for one hour of board training credit, they also all will be led by dynamic, nationally recognized presenters you won’t want to miss. Register today below!

We also want to spotlight and congratulate EnrollOKC.org, an outstanding resource serving families across Oklahoma City. Created by FuelOKC, this platform is transforming how families discover, compare, and access charter school options. Families can explore every Oklahoma City charter school and submit one application listing their preferences—all in a single place. With a common application, common priority deadline (Feb. 13, 2026), and common lottery date (Feb. 20, 2026), EnrollOKC exemplifies what true accessibility looks like: families understanding their choices and navigating them with ease and confidence. Congratulations and sincere thanks to FuelOKC and all Oklahoma City charter schools for taking a major step forward in better serving families. Your leadership is making a difference!

Jan. 22 | Noon:

Governing for Greatness

Dr. Jim Goener, the president of the National Charter Schools Institute, will ask attendees to reflect on their "why" and what they want to contribute to the schools they oversee to transform their approach to governance. His presentation also will include the 12 essential responsibilities every charter school board should fulfill and how they can leverage the framework detailed in the book "Good to Great" to help focus their school on achieving breakthrough performance. By the end of this session, board members will better understand how they can use their influence to win for kids and promote excellence!

Feb.26 | Noon

Bricks, Mortar & Balance Sheets

National charter facility experts from Level Field Partners will discuss what school board members and leaders need to consider when contemplating how to plan and secure financing for facilities. Already working with some Oklahoma charter schools, the presenters also will discuss the typical timelines and activities of securing facilities and how boards and their hired leaders can and should define a facilities strategy for their schools. They will explain the key metrics in boards determining affordability given their schools' bottom lines, and the types of charter school facility financing available to Oklahoma charters.

March 26 | Noon

The Charter School Playbook

Strong charter school boards create opportunities, anticipate risk, invest in innovation, keep excellent school leaders on the job, and most importantly keep students at the center of important decisions. This session will feature national experts from Bellwether drawing on their 15 years of experience nationally working with charter school boards and leaders and sparking inspiring and detailed conversation on how great charter school boards can improve student outcomes and school success, all while getting familiar with Bellwether's Charter School Board Playbook, a free resource full of proven strategies and tools.

Jan. 29: Oklahoma City School Choice Expo, 3:30-6 pm, Dove Science Academy High School

Feb. 2: 2026 Legislative Session Begins

Feb. 9: Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board Regular Monthly Meeting

Mar. 12: New Charter School Training. Contact jaycie.smith@scsb.ok.gov to register.