A signature program of LAPCS, The Top Shelf launched in October 2012 to enhance the capacity of charter school boards through recruitment and professional development. Recognizing the critical role that strong governance plays in charter school success, The Top Shelf aims to foster connection among the community members serving on charter school boards while increasing their capacity to lead financially and operationally sound organizations that promote increased student achievement.
Learn more about The Top Shelf and its accomplishments in the 2015 The Top Shelf Report Card.
The Top Shelf: Pathways for Engagement
Board Bank
Through targeted outreach to local businesses and organizations, The Top Shelf identifies and recruits qualified professionals and community members to serve on charter school boards. To begin the process, prospective board members provide details on their interest and qualifications to serve. Member schools seeking to expand their boards are provided with profiles and resumes from Board Bankers. If there is a mutual desire to learn more about the service opportunity, Board Bankers move through the vetting process with the member school’s board. Click here to learn more about the Board Bank.
Professional Development
Serving on a charter school board is a great leadership development opportunity. The Top Shelf prides itself on offering relevant, meaningful professional development sessions to prospective and current charter school board members to prepare them for this important work. In an environment where policy changes often, board members must be informed to fulfill their responsibilities.
LAPCS’ signature governance training program is the Charter Board Leadership Academy, a six-month institute that explores the most critical issues facing charter school boards. By working with current and prospective board members, the CBLA also creates a pipeline of diverse and dedicated Fellows to serve as the next generation of leaders in Louisiana’s charter schools. The academy is currently offered annually in Greater New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and will soon be offered statewide. Click here to learn more.
On Demand Customized Sessions
Ranging in their maturity and size, boards have various needs. The Top Shelf delivers personalized sessions that target the unique needs of the board ranging from board member responsibilities to recruitment and selection to board assessment and evaluation. Each custom program is a blank canvas that is filled according to the learning goals of your school. Using board assessments, case studies, and interactive workshops, The Top Shelf works in partnership with your organization to provide the tools that inspire excellence in governance. For a menu of customized sessions, please download the On Demand Menu.