Virtual Trainings (Live)
GVSU holds training opportunities throughout the year for the board members governing GVSU's charter public schools to enhance their leadership capacity.
All training sessions count toward the school board continuous learning requirements associated with the GVSU Academic Grant.
All sessions are held virtually unless noted otherwise. Session dates and times may be subject to change.
|
Topic |
Date |
Time (EST) |
Details and Registration: |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Advanced Board Training: Upping your Game with More Effective Meetings |
September 23, 2026 |
4:00-5:00 p.m. |
Charter school board meetings are public forums where challenging conversations, contentious issues, and sensitive topics may arise. This session will explore strategies for navigating difficult situations, including managing conflict, responding to challenging public comment, and maintaining productive discussions among board members. Participants will learn how effective meeting practices, preparation, and governance procedures can help boards lead with confidence while ensuring meetings remain focused, respectful, and effective. Facilitated by: Matt Cawood and Merrideth Okonkwor |
|
Seeing the Signals: What Indicators of Distress Reveal About School Health |
October 16, 2026 |
9:00-10:00 a.m. |
Healthy schools are built on more than academic performance. This session introduces the Indicators of Distress framework and explores how boards can use it to better understand school climate, student well-being, and organizational health. Participants will examine each indicator, discuss what it may reveal about a school's overall health, and consider how boards can use this information to support proactive governance and informed decision-making. Facilitated by: Jeff Maxwell and Courtney Stahl |
|
School Performance by the Numbers |
November 19, 2026 |
4:00-5:00 p.m.
|
Board members play a critical role in ensuring their school is fulfilling its mission and meeting the performance expectations outlined in its charter contract. This session will explore the key academic accountability measures used to evaluate school performance, provide guidance on interpreting the School Performance Report, and demonstrate how to navigate MDE data resources. Participants will leave with a stronger understanding of how to use performance data to monitor progress, ask informed questions, and support continuous school improvement. Facilitated by: Kate Boswell-Gallagher and Matt Cawood |
|
Board Governance: Succession Planning and Recruitment |
January 22, 2027 |
9:00-10:00 a.m. |
Strong boards are intentional about developing future leadership and recruiting members whose skills and perspectives strengthen governance. This session explores strategies for succession planning, assessing current board strengths, and identifying gaps in expertise and experience. Participants will engage in activities to evaluate individual and collective board mindsets, develop profiles of ideal board candidates, and discuss practical recruitment strategies that build a diverse, effective, and sustainable governing board. Facilitated by: Matt Cawood and Brooke Franklin |
|
Data-Driven Governance – Using Dashboards to Monitor Academic, Financial, and Operational Health |
February 18, 2027 |
4:00-5:00 p.m. |
Strong boards rely on meaningful data—not anecdotes—to make informed governance decisions. This session explores how boards can use dashboards to monitor key academic, financial, and operational indicators while maintaining a strategic governance focus. Participants will learn how to identify trends, ask insightful questions, and use data to guide oversight, support accountability, and inform long-term decision-making. Facilitated by: Matt Cawood and Jeff Maxwell |
|
Understanding Your Charter Contract |
March 19, 2027 |
9:00-10:00 a.m. |
Your charter contract serves as the foundation of your school's relationship with GVSU and establishes the expectations, responsibilities, and accountability measures that guide board governance. This session will walk participants through the key components of the charter contract, clarify the board's role in meeting contractual obligations, and highlight the provisions every board member should understand to effectively fulfill their governance responsibilities. Facilitated by: Gretchen LaHaie and Clint McDaniel |
|
Round Table Discussion: Best Practices |
April 21, 2027 |
4:00-5:00 p.m. |
Join a dynamic panel of distinguished board members and leaders as they share practical insights, lessons learned, and proven strategies for effective governance. This interactive roundtable provides participants with the opportunity to explore real-world challenges, exchange ideas with peers, and discuss best practices that strengthen board effectiveness and support successful schools. Facilitated by: Matt Cawood and Brooke Franklin |
|
Open Meetings and Public Records Laws: Building Trust Through Transparency |
May 14, 2027 |
9:00-10:00 a.m. |
Effective charter school governance depends on conducting the public's business openly, ethically, and in compliance with the law. This session provides board members with a practical understanding of Open Meetings and Public Records requirements, including meeting procedures, public participation, record retention, and responding to records requests. Participants will examine common compliance challenges, review real-world scenarios, and learn best practices that promote transparency, public trust, and effective governance. Facilitated by: TBD |
|
AI and Charter School Governance – Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Better Board Leadership |
June 10, 2027 |
4:00-5:00 p.m.
|
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming how organizations analyze information, improve efficiency, and support decision-making—and charter school boards can benefit from these tools as well. This session explores practical, ethical, and responsible applications of AI in board governance, including meeting preparation, policy development, strategic planning, data analysis, and communication. Participants will also examine the limitations and risks of AI and discuss how to use these tools responsibly while maintaining sound judgment and accountability in governance decisions. Facilitated by: Brooke Franklin |
New Board Member Training (Asynchronous)
To help new board members get started, GVSU has created a series of modules that briefly touch upon items that are important for every board member. After viewing the modules, you should have a basic understanding of:
- The history of charter schools
- Your board's relationship with GVSU
- Your responsibilities and how to be successful in your role
Additional Notes on the Training
- The training is self-paced, and should take approximately 30 minutes.
- The modules include short videos, knowledge checks, and links to additional resources
- If you need to step away from your computer for an extended time before completing the training, make sure to keep your web browser open. Do not close the web browser with the training before completing the training, as your progress cannot be saved.
- Once you complete your module, you will be prompted to send your certificate of completion to the GVSU DEISS.
- If you have any questions or issues, please email our main office at [email protected]
Custom Training
Looking to go deeper into a specific subject or explore something not listed in our virtual trainings? School boards can contact their GVSU School Consultant to request a training session that meets the board's needs.