Forecasting in Real Life: What Strong Schools Actually Track

Financial forecasting often sounds like a technical exercise, but in practice, it’s a leadership tool. In this session, the presenters will go beyond spreadsheets to explore what high-performing charter schools actually track to stay agile and aligned in a volatile funding environment. From state budget shifts to enrollment swings to LCAP coding that feeds multiple systems, it’s easy to get buried in data that doesn’t drive decisions. The session will walk through how to focus on the metrics that matter, avoid common pitfalls, and build a forecast that school leaders, board members, and funders can actually use. Learn how to simplify the LCAP expenditure tracking without sacrificing accuracy or accountability.

Whether a seasoned operator or just trying to get arms around the numbers, this session delivers practical clarity and real-world insights.

Presented by

Dr. Caprice Young

CEO & Superintendent
Navigator Schools

Dr. Caprice Young is a transformational education leader with a proven track record of leading complex organizations and championing big visions to success. She has a deep commitment to student voice and success. Raised in a foster family, she has a deep commitment to closing the achievement gap for students, no matter their life circumstances. Caprice's leadership experience spans multi-state and international operations, instruction, technology, finance, philanthropy, educating high-need students, advocacy, and organizations undergoing significant transformations. She has led five charter public school systems ranging from 1,750 to 49,000 students and four to 85 school sites.

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.

Marie Arce

Director of Client Finance
Charter Impact

Marie Arce is a seasoned finance leader with deep expertise in financial management, planning, and operations across the public education and nonprofit sectors. She has successfully overseen multimillion-dollar budgets, secured major grants and loans, and led financial planning efforts that support long-term sustainability. Before joining Charter Impact, Marie served as Director of Finance at Amethod Public Schools, managing business operations for a $45 million charter management organization. She previously held finance roles with UU Justice Ministry of California and Mt. Diablo UU of Walnut Creek, building expertise in audit management, compliance, and policy development. Marie excels at translating complex financial data into actionable insights and fostering cross-functional collaboration to drive efficiency and accountability. She also serves as Finance Committee Chair for the East Bay Regional Parks District and advises the City of Antioch. Her passion for empowering mission-driven organizations makes her a trusted financial partner and strategic thought leader.

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.