From Values to Value: Budget Habits of Effective Charter Leaders

When/Where:
,
Palm Springs Convention Center, Mesquite B

Strand
Leadership, Governance & Legal

Eligible for
Governance Training Certificate

A charter school budget should do more than balance—it should lead.

In this session, the presenters will explore how effective charter leaders use budgeting as a core leadership discipline, aligning dollars with mission, LCAP priorities, and evolving site needs. Rather than treating the budget as a static spreadsheet, high-performing schools treat it as a living roadmap—one that adapts to changing enrollment, staffing realities, and strategic goals.

This session will introduce key habits that help keep a budget dynamic, mission-aligned, and responsive to internal and external pressures. Veteran charter leaders will share practical tools and examples to help build strong linkages between financial planning, stakeholder engagement, and long-term impact. Whether in the middle of a multi-year plan or starting fresh, this session will help build budgeting routines that elevate both clarity and confidence.

Presented by

Christina Callaway

Director
College Preparatory Middle

Christina Callaway is the Director and Co-Founder of College Prep Middle School (CPMS), a high-performing charter school serving grades 5–8 in Spring Valley, California. Since helping launch CPMS in 2010, Christina has been instrumental in shaping its rigorous academic program with a strong emphasis on literacy and college readiness. Under her leadership, CPMS is ranked among the top performing middle schools in San Diego County. Christina is deeply committed to creating a nurturing, partnership-driven environment where students thrive academically and socially. She brings over a decade of experience in charter school leadership and remains dedicated to supporting middle school learners during this pivotal stage of development.

Danielle Vartanian

Accounting Manager
Charter Impact

Marisol Felix

Sr. Director of Client Finance
Charter Impact

Marisol Felix is a Senior Director at Charter Impact with over 21 years of experience in financial and operational leadership, exclusively supporting charter schools to thrive. She specializes in fiscal oversight, compliance, and strategic planning, partnering closely with school leaders and boards to strengthen financial sustainability and ensure resources are maximized for student success. With a deep commitment to supporting the charter movement, Marisol brings both expertise and a collaborative approach to advancing educational opportunities for all students.

Stacie Ivery

CFO
The Cottonwood School