In episode 11, we talk to Certified Public Accountant, Jenara Noel. The discussion revolves around ins and outs of charter school audits to make sure your school is prepared and you stay out of the hot seat. Our conversation covers the importance of audits, what they are and what they aren't. We discuss the significance of having the right people in place and we go over the more common issues that may come up in the process. We also talk about important timelines and what you should be thinking about ahead of time. Jenara s a Certified Public Accountant with Veris CPA and brings over 15 years of accounting experience with 6 of those years in charter school fiscal management. Her responsibilities include providing real-time outsourced accounting and General Ledger to charter schools as well as for-profit and non-profit entities. Jenara has an extensive background in client accounting, financial reporting, data mining, and accounting software migrations, as well as providing assistance with management decisions and maintaining client relationships.Connect with Jenara:Veris CPAConnect With SC Charter Chatter:Follow the SC Charter Chatter Podcast for free.Email the show at [email protected]: https://www.facebook.com/SCCharterSchoolsTwitter: https://twitter.com/SCCharterSchool

In this episode, Kevin talks with inspirational speaker and SC native Chris Singleton. The former minor league baseball player and now nationally renowned speaker shares his heartbreaking story of losing his mom in the 2015 Mother Emanual Church shooting in Charleston and how he turned that tragedy into a message of resilience, forgiveness, and unity. In addition, we talk about staying focused, understanding others, and positively living the mission of education! Chris is also the best-selling author with two published children's books, Different and Your Life Matters.  When speaking, Chris's overall mission is to inspire his audiences with his story of resilience and unite millions of people with his belief that "Love is Stronger Than Hate."Connect With SC Charter Chatter:Follow the SC Charter Chatter Podcast for free.Email the show at [email protected]: https://www.facebook.com/SCCharterSchoolsTwitter: https://twitter.com/SCCharterSchoolInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sccharterschools/

In this episode, Kevin continues the celebration of Charter Schools Week. We have a great conversation with the principal of Calhoun Falls Charter School Mr. Kalan Rogers. He shares his unique story that is inspiring and quite interesting. Kalan was also recently recognized by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools as a 30 Under 30 Changemaker. These are 30 people from across the country who are making a meaningful impact in their community. We talk about what that means to him, how he stays motivated, and what it’s like to be the principal of his alma mater.Connect with Kalan Rogers:TwitterCalhoun Falls Charter SchoolConnect With SC Charter Chatter:Follow the SC Charter Chatter Podcast for free.Email the show at [email protected]: https://www.facebook.com/SCCharterSchoolsTwitter: https://twitter.com/SCCharterSchool

Learn more about the latest round of federal money headed to schools through the 2021 American Rescue Plan. Kevin is joined by this episode's guest co-host, Christy Wolfe, the Vice President of Policy and Planning at the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.  We discuss the nearly $122 billion dollars allocated for K-12 education, how much money your school could see, the timeline to spend that money, and what you should be using this money for. Listen for free here. Things we mentioned:ARP Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER)ARP Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief – Homeless Children and Youth (ARP-HCY)Connect With SC Charter Chatter:Follow the SC Charter Chatter Podcast for free.Email the show at [email protected]: https://www.facebook.com/SCCharterSchoolsTwitter: https://twitter.com/SCCharterSchool

It's a topic many of you have reached about-how to market your school. In this episode, Kevin and guest Brooke Bruner discuss strategies and best practices for telling your story.  We talk about where to start, who should be involved, and how you can reach more families in your community.  We also share some specific areas you should be marketing your school, and we include some tools you can use to help you. Things we mentioned:Animoto Video MakerMovavi Video EditorConnect With SC Charter Chatter:Subscribe to the SC Charter Chatter Podcast here.Email the show at [email protected]: https://www.facebook.com/SCCharterSchoolsTwitter: https://twitter.com/SCCharterSchool

Kevin and Patti talk with S.C. State Treasurer Curtis Loftis about how his office can help charter schools get help with facility funding and even finding some free money through the Unclaimed Property Program. Treasurer Loftis also talks to us about why it's vital for students to complete a financial literacy class and we discuss the South Carolina Financial Literacy Master Teacher Program and how it provides incentives for K-12 teachers who are experts in the area of financial literacy and have a desire to teach professional development workshops to other educators in their school, district, or at state educator conferences. Plus, the Treasurer has a fundraiser idea for schools.    Connect With the Office of the State Treasurer:https://treasurer.sc.gov/Unclaimed Property ProgramSC Future Scholars ProgramSC Financial Literacy Master Teacher ProgramConnect With SC Charter Chatter:Subscribe to the SC Charter Chatter Podcast here.Email the show at [email protected]: https://www.facebook.com/SCCharterSchools.Twitter: https://twitter.com/SCCharterSchool.

Patti and Kevin sit down with Dr. Julie Jones, co-author of the professional development book, The Playful Classroom. She shares behind the scenes stories of how she and co-author, Jed Dearybury, came up with the idea, the mindset for the book, and the twists and turns of how their writings became an Amazon bestseller. Designed for K-12 educators, The Playful Classroom describes how teachers can develop a playful mindset for giving students meaningful, relevant and fun learning experiences. This unique real-world guide provides you with everything you need to incorporate engaging, hands-on lessons and creative activities, regardless of the level and subject you teach.Connect with Dr. Julie Jones:www.juliepjones.comTwitter: @juliepjonesInstagram: @thejuliepjonesConnect with Jed Dearybury:https://www.mrdearybury.com/Twitter: @mrdearybury Instagram: @mrdearyburyConnect With SC Charter Chatter:Subscribe to the SC Charter Chatter Podcast here.Email the show at [email protected]: https://www.facebook.com/SCCharterSchools.Twitter: https://twitter.com/SCCharterSchool.

A lot has changed since shutting down schools in fear of the deadly COVID-19 virus. Educations leaders are now working to figure out how students can get back to in-person instruction safely. About half of the schools in South Carolina are still teaching virtually. Infectious disease pediatrician Dr. Allison Eckard, M.D., has worked closely with school districts to identify mitigation strategies to help slow or stop the spread of COVID-19. Dr. Eckard is jointly appointed as Professor in the Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, Divisions of Infectious Diseases at the Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. Eckard serves as the division chief for pediatric infectious diseases and director of MUSC’s Ryan White pediatric HIV clinic and HIV transition clinic.  Read more about her work with the Coronavirus and SC school districts here. Connect:Subscribe to the SC Charter Chatter Podcast here.Email the show at [email protected] us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SCCharterSchools.Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SCCharterSchool.

In this episode, we speak with South Carolina Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman. We discuss the ongoing pandemic and its impact on our schools, students, teachers, and families. We touch on what we've learned nearly a year after shutting down schools and the ways schools can safely get back to in-person instruction, plus what can be done for teacher morale. We ask Superintendent Spearman about the success of charter schools in SC and what has surprised her about their growing popularity. Plus, we get her thoughts on the push to expand the 4K program across the state. We appreciate the Superintendent's time and her leadership for schools, districts, and students around our state. Find more about the South Carolina Department of Education here: https://ed.sc.gov/.

In this episode, we discuss best practices and some common pitfalls when it comes to school finance. We talk about strategies and steps you can take now to help your school be financially sound.  These actions can help effectively manage your school's finances while maximizing your ability to make the most of every educational dollar.  Our guest is Dave Faunce. Dave is the managing partner with Prestige School Solutions.  Dave has been involved in the charter school movement since the mid-1990s in South Carolina and North Carolina. He works with charter schools, not only to improve their overall financial well-being but to help them reach higher levels of student performance and overall success. You can learn more about Prestige School Solutions here: http://prestigeschoolsolutions.com/.