Better Together: Charter Schools and Small Districts

Charter public schools and small school districts often face similar challenges—scarce facilities, burdensome regulations, and enrollment volatility that can swing the California School Dashboard.

In this collaborative, forward-looking session, charter school leaders representing classroom-based, personalized learning schools, and the Small School Districts’ Association (SSDA) will explore the many ways in which charter schools and small districts can work together to solve problems facing local students, including raising student achievement and preventing fraud. Panelists will highlight common interests—such as advocating for equitable funding, flexible facilities options, and local control—and share case studies where partnership made a real difference. They’ll also reflect on joint opposition to harmful legislation like AB 84, which threatened innovative public school models in both sectors.

Participants will leave with new strategies for building trust, finding shared priorities, and initiating collaborative efforts with small school districts that can benefit students and communities alike.

Presented by

Casey Taylor

Superintendent
Achieve Charter School

Casey Taylor is the founder and Executive Director of Achieve Charter Schools of Paradise. After the 2018 Paradise Camp Fire, Casey led her team in reopening schools in temporary facilities in Chico, while building a permanent school facility there. In the 2021-22 school year, Achieve opened Achieve Charter School of Chico at the new facility and reopened Achieve Charter School of Paradise at the original campus in Paradise. She and her team are now working to reopen Achieve Charter High School in Paradise in the coming years.

Elizabeth Brenner

Superintendent & CEO
Compass Charter Schools

I have over twenty-five years of experience working in charter schools in California. My experience includes positions as a teacher, site level administrator, and district level administrator in both classroom and virtual settings. I currently serve as the Superintendent of Compass Charter Schools, serving over 2,000 scholars grades TK-12 in a virtual setting. I am an advocate for charter schools because I believe that parents should be able to choose the educational setting that best fits the needs of their children, regardless of where they live. I am currently the Charter Representative on the Small School Districts’ Association Board of Directors, President of the Reaching At-Promise Students Board of Directors, and a member of the APlus+ Advisory Committee. These roles allow me to advocate for charter schools on multiple fronts.

Mary Cox

Executive Director/Superintendent
CORE Butte Charter School

Mary Cox is the Superintendent/Executive Director of CORE Butte Charter School, a TK–12 personalized learning hybrid school in Chico, CA. Since joining CORE in 2005, she has launched innovative programs, including a College Model hybrid high school, and served as High School Director before assuming her current role in 2016. Mary serves on the APlus+ Advisory Council, CCSA Member Council, El Dorado Charter SELPA Executive Committee, and is President of the Butte/Glenn ACSA Chapter as well as a member of the ACSA Region 2 Executive Board. In 2024, she chaired the California State Women in Leadership Symposium and was recognized as Superintendent of the Year for Butte/Glenn ACSA and Outstanding Woman Leader for ACSA Region 2. A passionate advocate for school choice and personalized education, Mary works to expand flexibility and options for students and families. She earned her degrees and credentials from California State University, Chico.

Dr. Patrick Keeley

Superintendent
Mountain Empire Unified School District

Dr. Patrick Keeley is a purpose-driven educational leader with over 20 years of experience shaping school culture, amplifying student voice, and building systems that support the whole child. As Superintendent of Mountain Empire Unified School District—and former principal of his alma mater, Mountain Empire High School—he has led significant improvements in climate, culture, and student leadership. His career also includes roles as principal, alternative education administrator, assistant principal, ASB advisor, and department chair. Named the 2025 State Superintendent of the Year by the Small School Districts’ Association, Dr. Keeley has presented at CSBA, CASC, and SSDA conferences and served as a keynote speaker for San Mateo County’s “Respect 24/7” initiative. He also contributes on WASC teams, mentors future leaders at SDSU, and serves as President of the East County Leadership Charter for ACSA Region 18. He holds degrees from CSU San Marcos and San Diego State University.

Yuri Calderon

Executive Director
SSDA

Yuri Calderon is the Executive Director of the Small School Districts’ Association (SSDA), representing over 400 small and rural districts across California. With more than 30 years of experience in education, law, and strategic planning, Yuri is a trusted leader known for driving policy innovation and championing equity in public education. A graduate of Georgetown University Law Center and the University of Denver, he has served as general counsel, chief business officer, and strategic advisor to school districts and municipalities statewide. At SSDA, he leads statewide legislative efforts addressing rural teacher shortages, school funding reform, and facilities support. Yuri is a frequent speaker at education conferences and has been recognized with multiple honors, including SSDA’s CBO of the Year and ACSA’s Business Services Administrator of the Year. His ability to navigate complex challenges and build collaborative solutions makes him a valued voice in education leadership.