BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 X-WR-CALNAME:oregonchartercon2026 X-WR-CALDESC:Event Calendar METHOD:PUBLISH CALSCALE:GREGORIAN PRODID:-//Sched.com Stronger Together: Advancing Oregon’s Charter Schools//EN X-WR-TIMEZONE:UTC BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260904T203742Z DTSTART:20261105T160000Z DTEND:20261105T171500Z SUMMARY:Breakfast Opens DESCRIPTION:\n CATEGORIES:MEAL FUNCTION LOCATION:McKenzie Ballroom\, 2nd floor\, 1000 Valley River Way\, Eugene\, OR 97401 SEQUENCE:0 UID:964edd1b9adfd4f67d6cd386492c8c86 URL:http://oregonchartercon2026.sched.com/event/964edd1b9adfd4f67d6cd386492c8c86 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260904T203742Z DTSTART:20261105T160000Z DTEND:20261106T171500Z SUMMARY:Registration Open DESCRIPTION:\n CATEGORIES:REGISTRATION & CHECK-IN LOCATION:1st Floor Lobby\, Valley River Inn\, 1000 Valley River Way\, Eugene\, OR 97401 SEQUENCE:0 UID:286bf2b9d8d7830d675b60e55a100ff9 URL:http://oregonchartercon2026.sched.com/event/286bf2b9d8d7830d675b60e55a100ff9 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260904T203742Z DTSTART:20261105T163000Z DTEND:20261105T171500Z SUMMARY:Welcome & Kick Off DESCRIPTION:\n CATEGORIES:GENERAL SESSION LOCATION:McKenzie Ballroom\, 2nd floor\, 1000 Valley River Way\, Eugene\, OR 97401 SEQUENCE:0 UID:152cb510b7e82a921f4a24c9b9db199a URL:http://oregonchartercon2026.sched.com/event/152cb510b7e82a921f4a24c9b9db199a END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260904T203742Z DTSTART:20261105T173000Z DTEND:20261105T183000Z SUMMARY:AI Didn’t Break Our Schools—It Exposed Them: A Leadership Framework for Responding to AI in Charter Schools DESCRIPTION:As AI tools rapidly reshape student behavior\, many schools have responded with stricter controls\, surveillance\, and reactive policies. But what if AI isn’t the problem—it’s the signal?\n\nThis session shares how one charter school responded to widespread AI misuse not by doubling down on enforcement\, but by redesigning systems. Participants will explore a practical\, leadership-focused framework that addresses AI at four levels: governance\, short-term control\, capacity building\, and instructional redesign.\n\nAttendees will leave with a clear implementation roadmap\, examples of policy and program shifts\, and strategies to move their school culture from “AI as a threat” to “AI as a catalyst for better learning design.” CATEGORIES:BREAKOUT SESSION LOCATION:East Willamette Room\, 1st Floor\, 1000 Valley River Way\, Eugene\, OR 97401 SEQUENCE:0 UID:f89a82ec89785d2e33c412e0605c8598 URL:http://oregonchartercon2026.sched.com/event/f89a82ec89785d2e33c412e0605c8598 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260904T203742Z DTSTART:20261105T173000Z DTEND:20261105T183000Z SUMMARY:State School Fund 101 and Charter School Finances DESCRIPTION:SSF basics – the moving target for almost three years:Who\, what\, when\, where and whyWhy do we have a charter rate and why is this important to understand?Charter schools and transportation fundingQ&A CATEGORIES:BREAKOUT SESSION LOCATION:West Willamette Room\, 1st Floor\, 1000 Valley River Way\, Eugene\, OR 97401\, USA SEQUENCE:0 UID:4306e749a58c9ce7e6817faf3e9f6cec URL:http://oregonchartercon2026.sched.com/event/4306e749a58c9ce7e6817faf3e9f6cec END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260904T203742Z DTSTART:20261105T184000Z DTEND:20261105T195500Z SUMMARY:Navigating Emerging Legal Risks for Oregon Charter Schools: Religious Neutrality\, Vendor Relationships\, and Public Procurement Compliance DESCRIPTION:Oregon charter schools operate in an increasingly complex legal environment where constitutional requirements\, statutory obligations\, and day-to-day operational realities frequently intersect. This session will provide a practical legal update on two areas presenting significant compliance risks for charter schools.\n \;\nFirst\, the session will address the evolving legal landscape surrounding religious neutrality in public charter schools. \;Recent federal and state developments have emphasized that public entities may not discriminate against organizations solely because of their religious identity. At the same time\, charter schools remain constitutionally obligated to ensure that students receive a secular public education free from religious instruction\, worship\, or proselytization. This portion of the presentation will explore how schools can lawfully contract with faith-based organizations while maintaining appropriate safeguards and oversight. The presenters will also discuss Oregon's unique statutory framework under ORS 327.109\, which authorizes investigations and funding consequences when charter schools are alleged to be involved in religious activity\, and will examine unresolved legal questions regarding the statute's procedural protections and potential due process concerns. Recent national developments involving religious charter schools and faith-based service providers will be discussed to help school leaders evaluate risk and develop practical compliance strategies.\n \;\nSecond\, the session will provide a practical overview of Oregon public procurement requirements applicable to charter schools. Procurement obligations are frequently overlooked until a contract is challenged\, an audit identifies deficiencies\, or a sponsoring school district raises concerns regarding compliance. We will review common procurement requirements\, competitive solicitation thresholds\, exceptions\, contract approval procedures\, and frequent mistakes observed in charter school operations. Participants will leave with practical guidance for evaluating vendor relationships\, documenting procurement decisions\, and reducing legal and financial risk.\n \;\nDesigned for charter school administrators\, board members\, business managers\, and authorizers\, this session will focus on real-world scenarios\, practical compliance tools\, and emerging legal developments affecting Oregon charter schools. CATEGORIES:BREAKOUT SESSION LOCATION:West Willamette Room\, 1st Floor\, 1000 Valley River Way\, Eugene\, OR 97401\, USA SEQUENCE:0 UID:49e62156790bc89e82090eaee98883ec URL:http://oregonchartercon2026.sched.com/event/49e62156790bc89e82090eaee98883ec END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260904T203742Z DTSTART:20261105T184000Z DTEND:20261105T195500Z SUMMARY:Stop Paying for Chaos: Cleaning Up Your School’s Tech Stack DESCRIPTION:Many schools are not overspending on technology because they have too many tools. They are overspending because systems have grown without clear ownership\, evaluation\, or alignment. Over time\, schools accumulate overlapping platforms\, underused subscriptions\, outdated contracts\, and disconnected workflows that create confusion for staff and frustration for leadership teams.\nThis session provides a practical framework for auditing and simplifying a school’s technology ecosystem without disrupting operations. Attendees will learn how to identify redundancy\, clarify ownership\, evaluate tool effectiveness\, and align technology decisions to operational priorities rather than convenience or habit.\nUsing real-world examples from charter school environments\, presenters will demonstrate how schools can reduce inefficiencies\, improve adoption\, and create more sustainable systems without requiring large budgets or additional staffing.\nParticipants will leave with a Tech Stack Audit framework and practical tools that can immediately be used to evaluate current systems and guide future purchasing decisions. CATEGORIES:BREAKOUT SESSION LOCATION:East Willamette Room\, 1st Floor\, 1000 Valley River Way\, Eugene\, OR 97401 SEQUENCE:0 UID:743c4a3b122dee5390d73195bd5f6410 URL:http://oregonchartercon2026.sched.com/event/743c4a3b122dee5390d73195bd5f6410 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260904T203742Z DTSTART:20261105T200000Z DTEND:20261105T213000Z SUMMARY:Who Has to Leave Parts of Themselves at the Door? What Are We Asking People to Carry?: Redesigning Schools Through Belonging Infrastructure™ DESCRIPTION:* Every school has infrastructure.\n* Academic infrastructure.\n* Behavior infrastructure.\n* Safety infrastructure.\n* Technology infrastructure.\nBut what if the greatest barrier to belonging isn't the people in our schools\, but the conditions we've unintentionally designed around them?\nFor many students\, particularly those from historically marginalized communities\, belonging comes with an invisible cost. Students\, families\, and even educators may feel pressure to code switch\, hide parts of their identity\, minimize aspects of their culture\, or navigate school in survival mode simply to fit into environments that were never intentionally designed with them at the center.\nAs educators\, we care deeply and continue creating programs\, initiatives\, and strategies because we want different outcomes. Yet we often find ourselves asking the same questions year after year while seeing only incremental change. What if the challenge isn't that people need to belong better? What if we simply haven't redesigned the conditions that shape belonging in the first place?\nThrough storytelling\, guided reflection\, and audience participation\, Rooted in Power Collective Consultancy invites participants to experience \;Belonging Infrastructure™\, a leadership framework that challenges us to rethink belonging as an organizational design responsibility rather than an individual experience.\nWhether you're welcoming students at the front office\, teaching in a classroom\, supporting families\, counseling students\, leading a school\, serving on a school board\, or making decisions that shape district policy\, you'll discover how every role contributes to the Belonging Infrastructure of a school and how intentional redesign can create the conditions where everyone thrives.\nEvery person in a school is part of its infrastructure. The question is not whether we influence belonging. The question is what our daily decisions are producing.\nGrounded in the principles of \;Ubuntu\, "I Am Because We Are\," \;and in Lak'ech\, "You Are My Other Me\," \;join us for a new lens for examining you schools\, practical reflection tools\, and concrete strategies for beginning the work of redesigning the conditions that make belonging possible that helps students\, families\, and educators thrive.\nBecause belonging should never depend on who learns to navigate the system. It should be built into the system itself. \;\n\n CATEGORIES:GENERAL SESSION LOCATION:McKenzie Ballroom\, 2nd floor\, 1000 Valley River Way\, Eugene\, OR 97401 SEQUENCE:0 UID:0aca7024f2ccc23861c537ebd02aae94 URL:http://oregonchartercon2026.sched.com/event/0aca7024f2ccc23861c537ebd02aae94 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260904T203742Z DTSTART:20261105T200000Z DTEND:20261105T213000Z SUMMARY:Lunch Open DESCRIPTION:Join us for our general session:\n\nWho Has to Leave Parts of Themselves at the Door? \;What Are We Asking People to Carry?: \;Redesigning Schools Through Belonging Infrastructure™\n\nWith Angelina Muñoz and Sade Rivers\, co-founders\, \;Rooted in Power Collective Consultancy CATEGORIES:MEAL FUNCTION LOCATION:McKenzie Ballroom\, 2nd floor\, 1000 Valley River Way\, Eugene\, OR 97401 SEQUENCE:0 UID:e2acbdd49506f6e7b36033b5299a6820 URL:http://oregonchartercon2026.sched.com/event/e2acbdd49506f6e7b36033b5299a6820 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260904T203742Z DTSTART:20261105T214500Z DTEND:20261105T224500Z SUMMARY:State School Fund 301 training DESCRIPTION:SSF Forecasting \;SSF Reconciliation and why does this matter – lessons learnedFinance and charter agreementsHow to review district payments to charter schools – sharing Excel calculator that anyone can useQ&A CATEGORIES:BREAKOUT SESSION LOCATION:West Willamette Room\, 1st Floor\, 1000 Valley River Way\, Eugene\, OR 97401\, USA SEQUENCE:0 UID:750117c5877809fb71bf50eefdde8bf3 URL:http://oregonchartercon2026.sched.com/event/750117c5877809fb71bf50eefdde8bf3 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260904T203742Z DTSTART:20261105T214500Z DTEND:20261105T224500Z SUMMARY:Stronger Together: Advancing Oregon Charter Schools Through Collaboration and Shared Impact DESCRIPTION:This presentation highlights how Oregon charter schools can deepen their collective impact by strengthening partnerships\, aligning best practices\, and building intentional systems of support across the campus and outside organizations. Rather than working in parallel\, charter schools have an opportunity to operate as a connected network\, leveraging shared strengths to improve outcomes for students statewide. CATEGORIES:BREAKOUT SESSION LOCATION:East Willamette Room\, 1st Floor\, 1000 Valley River Way\, Eugene\, OR 97401 SEQUENCE:0 UID:39ee0c7439ba19a4f4a21e3ba81a9ba1 URL:http://oregonchartercon2026.sched.com/event/39ee0c7439ba19a4f4a21e3ba81a9ba1 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260904T203742Z DTSTART:20261105T225500Z DTEND:20261105T235500Z SUMMARY:From Differentiation to Specially Designed Instruction: What SDI Really Looks Like in General Education DESCRIPTION:School leaders play a critical role in ensuring inclusive practices are implemented consistently and effectively across classrooms. While many schools emphasize differentiation to support diverse learners\, differentiation alone does not always meet the requirements of Specially Designed Instruction (SDI). Leaders are often tasked with supporting teams in understanding what SDI looks like\, how it connects to IEP goals\, and how it can be embedded into daily instruction while maintaining grade-level expectations.\n\nThis session provides school leaders with a practical framework for understanding and supporting SDI implementation within general education settings. Participants will examine the distinction between differentiation\, accommodations\, modifications\, and SDI through real-world examples and classroom scenarios\, with a focus on what leaders should look for when supporting instructional practice.\n\nDrawing from UCP Charter Schools’ experience embedding SDI into daily instruction\, this session highlights how effective systems\, collaboration\, and clear expectations can support consistent implementation across classrooms. Participants will explore how SDI addresses disability-related needs through intentional changes to instruction\, delivery\, methodology\, or content while preserving access to meaningful learning opportunities.\n\nThe session will also address common implementation challenges\, including role clarity between general and special education teams\, supporting teacher capacity\, aligning instruction to IEP goals\, and monitoring whether practices are feasible and effective within daily classroom routines.\n\nAttendees will leave with a clearer understanding of what makes instruction “specially designed\,” along with leadership strategies and tools to strengthen inclusive practices\, support staff implementation\, and improve outcomes for students with disabilities CATEGORIES:BREAKOUT SESSION LOCATION:West Willamette Room\, 1st Floor\, 1000 Valley River Way\, Eugene\, OR 97401\, USA SEQUENCE:0 UID:af48f84c18897223460107e4254bc36a URL:http://oregonchartercon2026.sched.com/event/af48f84c18897223460107e4254bc36a END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260904T203742Z DTSTART:20261105T225500Z DTEND:20261105T235500Z SUMMARY:Retaining Great Teachers Through Financial Confidence: Helping Educators Understand PERS and Retirement DESCRIPTION:Teacher retention is one of the greatest challenges facing schools today\, yet one of the most overlooked retention tools is helping educators and staff understand their long-term financial future. Many school staff members enter the profession with little understanding of retirement systems or how career decisions impact their financial stability. This uncertainty can contribute to an early departure from the profession.\n\nThis session helps school leaders understand Oregon's Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) so that the can train their staff. It explores how school leaders can improve teacher retention by providing practical education and transparency around retirement benefits\, specifically focusing on Oregon’s Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Participants will learn how helping educators understand concepts such as vesting\, tier systems\, retirement calculations\, IAP accounts\, and years-of-service value can create stronger long-term commitment and morale.\n\nThe presentation will also share practical strategies schools can implement immediately\, including retirement workshops\, onboarding conversations\, mentorship around financial planning\, and building a culture where educators feel informed and supported in their future.\n\nAttendees will leave with actionable ideas to help teachers feel more financially secure and motivated to remain in education for the long haul. CATEGORIES:BREAKOUT SESSION LOCATION:East Willamette Room\, 1st Floor\, 1000 Valley River Way\, Eugene\, OR 97401 SEQUENCE:0 UID:9677bcdd7290d02fe3dfd25584d7922f URL:http://oregonchartercon2026.sched.com/event/9677bcdd7290d02fe3dfd25584d7922f END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260904T203742Z DTSTART:20261106T160000Z DTEND:20261106T173000Z SUMMARY:Breakfast DESCRIPTION:\n CATEGORIES:MEAL FUNCTION LOCATION:McKenzie Ballroom\, 2nd floor\, 1000 Valley River Way\, Eugene\, OR 97401 SEQUENCE:0 UID:a26e730490db07eb9d5f9d01616968cf URL:http://oregonchartercon2026.sched.com/event/a26e730490db07eb9d5f9d01616968cf END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260904T203742Z DTSTART:20261106T174500Z DTEND:20261106T184500Z SUMMARY:From Growth to Expansion: The Arco Iris Enrollment Story DESCRIPTION:Charter schools across Oregon are competing for a shrinking pool of families\, with tighter budgets\, more crowded marketing landscapes\, and leaders stretched thinner than ever. In that environment\, the schools pulling ahead aren't the ones with the biggest budgets — they're the ones who've figured out what makes them genuinely different\, and built their enrollment strategy around it.\n\n\nArco Iris Spanish Immersion School\, one of Oregon's top charter schools\, grew enrollment by 10% — 120+ new students — when they began telling their core story effectively. This session walks through the real partnership between Arco Iris and Grow Schools: the strategy\, the bilingual digital and community outreach campaign\, and the results. Christa Billings\, Board President\, joins Grow Schools to break down what worked and how other Oregon charter schools can apply the same thinking to whatever makes them distinct.\n\n\nAttendees will leave with:\nA framework for reading their own enrollment position in a tightening market\, and identifying which parts of their identity can become real differentiatorsA real example of digital and community-based outreach that other Oregon schools can adapt to their own populationsWhat it takes to sustain enrollment momentum — and how Arco Iris is approaching their next chapter\, including expansion CATEGORIES:BREAKOUT SESSION LOCATION:East Willamette Room\, 1st Floor\, 1000 Valley River Way\, Eugene\, OR 97401 SEQUENCE:0 UID:3aefca75e40a33459b10642e0b6ebff3 URL:http://oregonchartercon2026.sched.com/event/3aefca75e40a33459b10642e0b6ebff3 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260904T203742Z DTSTART:20261106T174500Z DTEND:20261106T184500Z SUMMARY:Reclaiming Instructional Time: Aligning Behavior Supports to Drive Student Outcomes in Charter Classrooms DESCRIPTION:Charter schools are working to improve student outcomes while navigating increasing instructional and behavioral demands. Supporting student engagement requires systems that connect classroom instruction\, individualized supports\, and schoolwide behavior practices.\n\nThis session shares a practical approach for aligning daily classroom practices with individualized Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). Participants will explore how identifying the function of student behavior can strengthen intervention planning\, improve communication among teams\, and ensure supports are designed around student needs.\n\nThrough examples from UCP charter school settings\, this session will highlight proactive practices\, data-informed decision-making\, and implementation strategies that support consistency across classrooms. Participants will examine how behavior data can be used to monitor progress\, make adjustments\, and strengthen classroom systems without adding additional initiatives.\n\nAttendees will leave with a practical framework and tools to strengthen BIP implementation\, connect behavior supports to instruction\, and create classroom environments where students are better supported to engage successfully in learning. CATEGORIES:BREAKOUT SESSION LOCATION:West Willamette Room\, 1st Floor\, 1000 Valley River Way\, Eugene\, OR 97401\, USA SEQUENCE:0 UID:a27a063a694bfdd9f1ddb7d75a9446ed URL:http://oregonchartercon2026.sched.com/event/a27a063a694bfdd9f1ddb7d75a9446ed END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260904T203742Z DTSTART:20261106T185500Z DTEND:20261106T201000Z SUMMARY:Proper Budgeting and Facility Financing Options DESCRIPTION:As you consider your facility expense\, there are both budgeting considerations along with securing funding for your facility. Tonya and David will walk through how to budget for facilities\, what to do today in anticipation of securing a permanent facility and what financing options are available to charter schools. There are many steps charters can take today to prepare for a pending financing that will put them in the best position possible. This session will cover budgeting practices and pathways to securing funding for a permanent facility. CATEGORIES:BREAKOUT SESSION LOCATION:West Willamette Room\, 1st Floor\, 1000 Valley River Way\, Eugene\, OR 97401\, USA SEQUENCE:0 UID:fd4751209206c2e5358da96029f4ec9a URL:http://oregonchartercon2026.sched.com/event/fd4751209206c2e5358da96029f4ec9a END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260904T203742Z DTSTART:20261106T185500Z DTEND:20261106T201000Z SUMMARY:Stepping Up to Conflict DESCRIPTION:Conflict is one of the most predictable parts of school leadership — and one of the least taught. This practical\, 75 minute workshop gives K-12 leaders a clear framework and concrete language for stepping into difficult conversations with staff\, parents\, and peers before small frustrations become entrenched problems. Drawing on Nonviolent Communication\, the SCARF model of threat response\, and Judy Ringer's preparation work\, participants learn how to separate observation from judgment\, name feelings without blame\, identify the needs underneath\, and make requests that invite dialogue rather than demand compliance. Through paired scenarios drawn from real school settings\, leaders practice the framework one step at a time and leave with entry and exit language they can use this week. By the end\, participants have a personal commitment to one conversation they've been avoiding — and a path through it. CATEGORIES:BREAKOUT SESSION LOCATION:East Willamette Room\, 1st Floor\, 1000 Valley River Way\, Eugene\, OR 97401 SEQUENCE:0 UID:bf6d5eac27733b048725170a22d1e509 URL:http://oregonchartercon2026.sched.com/event/bf6d5eac27733b048725170a22d1e509 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260904T203742Z DTSTART:20261106T202000Z DTEND:20261106T212000Z SUMMARY:2027 Legislative Session: Charter Schools\, K-12 Funding & More! DESCRIPTION:Join Iris Chavez and members from the Oregon Coalition of Community Charter Schools Advocacy committee to discuss what we expect to work on during the 2027 legislative session. From charter school statute modernization to K-12 funding formula issues\, there's a lot to prepare for! CATEGORIES:BREAKOUT SESSION LOCATION:West Willamette Room\, 1st Floor\, 1000 Valley River Way\, Eugene\, OR 97401\, USA SEQUENCE:0 UID:cbcf94cb224df435a7a2bdc028b55466 URL:http://oregonchartercon2026.sched.com/event/cbcf94cb224df435a7a2bdc028b55466 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260904T203742Z DTSTART:20261106T202000Z DTEND:20261106T212000Z SUMMARY:Complaint Investigations: From Stumbling Blocks to Stepping Stones DESCRIPTION:This session explores the internal investigation lifecycle by identifying common pitfalls and providing actionable best practices to help attendees conduct professional\, ethical\, and defensible investigations. CATEGORIES:BREAKOUT SESSION LOCATION:East Willamette Room\, 1st Floor\, 1000 Valley River Way\, Eugene\, OR 97401 SEQUENCE:0 UID:42b9ffe37a6eb03367be03696d327612 URL:http://oregonchartercon2026.sched.com/event/42b9ffe37a6eb03367be03696d327612 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR