Training Services

Charter schools are unique creatures. While they are similar to ‘traditional’ public schools in many ways, they are also different in many ways.  Charter schools also differ from each other; each has its own specific mission, goals, administration, policies and governance.  Due to these differences, their governing bodies, faculty and staff must be periodically educated on topics relating to their charter’s operation. We at Matthews Fox, P.C. work with charter clients to provide the training necessary to comply with legal requirements and promote school success.

The New Mexico Charter Schools Act requires school governing board members to receive 5 hours of annual training.  All of the mandatory training sessions must be approved by the New Mexico Public Education Department and must cover “department rules, policies and procedures, statutory powers and duties of governing boards, legal concepts pertaining to public schools, finance and budget and other matters deemed relevant by the department.”  Verification of attendance and training completion must be provided to the head administrator of each school during the applicable year. 

Matthews Fox attorneys have been certified to provide members of school governing boards with the required training.  Our firm has provided and continues to provide trainings at the yearly New Mexico Coalition for Charter Schools Conference. 

We also regularly provide school-based, school-focused trainings on various topics, including:

  • Open Meetings Act
  • Public Records requirements and Family Educational Records and Privacy Act
  • Legal 101 for Charter Schools
  • Conflicts of Interest
  • School facilities and funding
  • School Personnel Act and Employment Policies for Governing Bodies
  • Charter School Performance Contracts and Authorizer Relationships
  • Legislative Updates
  • Roles and Responsibilities (Governing Bodies and their Head Administrator)
  • Monitoring Performance Contracts
  • Public School Finances and Procurement Code
  • Navigating Reductions in Force and Furloughs
  • Current Legal Topics Affecting Charter School Governance

Contact us for a detailed list of other specific training topics available.  Additional trainings can be developed to suit the particular needs of your school and the issues relevant to your site and program; just ask us!

In addition, periodically we conduct free, informal “Lunch and Learn” sessions for school administrators and governing body representatives of our clients throughout the year on recent developments affecting charter schools as well as other relevant legal topics.  Click here for a listing of upcoming Lunch & Learn topics and dates.

If you need training for your school’s employees or governing body, contact our office today by calling (505) 473-3020.  We are here to help.



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1925 Aspen Dr. , Suite 301A, Santa Fe , NM 87505
| Phone: 505.473.3020

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