Preparing for the Inevitable: Planning for Leadership Succession

Preparing for the Inevitable: Planning for Leadership Succession at the School, Charter Management Organization, and State Agency Levels - "Charter schools are often unprepared when the founding school leader leaves, especially if this individual was the one to design and implement the school’s vision. Transitions can be tumultuous as the new school leader works to engage the staff and sustain community ties, and the school may falter if too much institutional knowledge leaves with the founding leader. In this promising practice profi le, the National Resource Center on Charter School Finance and Governance describes efforts to plan for a smooth leadership succession from three different perspectives: a school site, a charter management organization, and a state department of education. By planning for leadership succession early on, charter schools can avoid problems when a leader leaves and can use the opportunity of his or her departure to advance organizational growth."