Behind the Authorizer's Eyes: What We Really See in Your Boardroom
Ever wondered what catches your authorizer's attention during governance reviews?
This session pulls back the curtain on the insider's view of charter school governance, revealing what really happens when authorizers observe a board in action. The presenters will share the hidden patterns that separate thriving schools from struggling ones, decode the subtle signals that trigger deeper scrutiny, and uncover the practices that make authorizers say "this school has it figured out." Using real observations from California charter schools, they will share the insider secrets that high-performing boards and administrators use to not just survive oversight, but to demonstrate strength and build lasting credibility.
Both board members and administrators will gain practical tools for strengthening governance effectiveness, improving transparency, and building the partnership that drives student success.
Presented by
Deidre Walsh
Director, Office of Charter Schools
San Diego Unified School District
Deidre Walsh has worked twenty-six years in public K-12 education. She began her career at a County Office of Education in Northern California before joining San Diego Unified School District in 2004. Ms. Walsh currently serves as the Director in the Office of Charter Schools for the District. She is responsible for oversight of the District’s 39 charter schools which serve almost 19,000 students. She has earned both J.D. and B.A. degrees.
Tiffany Degraffenreid
Manager
San Diego Unified School District
Five years ago, Tiffany transitioned from charter school leader to charter school authorizer as Manager for San Diego Unified School District’s (SDUSD) Office of Charter Schools responsible for overseeing academics, finances, governance, and operations for 39 charter schools serving nearly 19,000 students.
