Episode #34 - Developing a tiered approach for your organization’s budget with Yeime Valle, Executive Director of Brilla Public Charter Schools

SHOW NOTES

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GUESTS

Episode Guest

Yeime Valle, CEO of Brilla Public Charter Schools

Connect with Yeime on LinkedIn

Websites:

https://brillaschools.org/

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this insightful episode of The Charter School Insider Podcast, Daniel Casselli sits down with Yeime Valle, Executive Director of Brilla Public Charter Schools, to discuss how her organization adopted a tiered budgeting strategy to navigate financial challenges and ensure sustainability. Yeime shares candid reflections on leading with transparency, redefining priorities, and engaging stakeholders in tough conversations about resources and reality. This episode offers valuable lessons for charter school executives facing similar challenges in today’s evolving educational landscape.

EPISODE TAKEAWAYS

• Building a Tiered Budgeting System

  • Learn how Brilla developed a three-tier budgeting approach:
    • Tier 1: Essential operations for meeting core commitments.
    • Tier 2: Resources for enhanced outcomes and support.
    • Tier 3: Nice-to-haves, like extra programs or field trips.

• Transparency and Communication

  • Discover the importance of explaining the "why" behind changes, engaging stakeholders early, and leading with integrity.

• Engaging Leadership in Decision-Making

  • See how Yeime involved principals and directors in resource allocation, ensuring their voices shaped key decisions.

• The Power of Adaptability

  • Gain insights into evolving organizational priorities to meet changing community needs while staying true to the mission.

RESOURCES

Brilla Public Charter Schools: https://brillaschools.org/

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction and Context Setting
01:58 Overview of Brea Public Charter Schools
06:09 Challenges in Enrollment and Resource Allocation
10:01 Dynamic Budgeting Approach
14:08 Navigating Difficult Conversations
19:55 Building Consensus and Moving Forward
21:40 Navigating Budget Changes in Education
24:57 Understanding Budget Tiers and Their Implications
28:01 Engaging Leadership in Budget Conversations
30:01 Communicating Changes with Integrity
32:49 Lessons Learned in Leadership and Communication
35:59 Embracing Change and Diverse Perspectives

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Yeime Valle is an immigrant and proud mother who raised six children in the Bronx. Her passion for providing Bronx parents with the opportunity to choose excellent schools stems from her own experience as a parent in the community.

Ten years ago, Yeime joined Brilla Public Charter Schools' founding team, managing operations and actively recruiting families. Driven by her belief that every child deserves a world-class education and a supportive learning community, she worked tirelessly to connect with Bronx families. Yeime understands that, despite the community’s diversity, parents share a universal desire: a school where children feel safe, loved, and inspired to learn through meaningful relationships and rigorous academics.

Today, Brilla has grown into a network of six high-performing charter schools, providing students with an exceptional education and a nationally recognized character program that helps children thrive in all aspects of life. As the Executive Director of Brilla Public Charter Schools and General Partner at Seton Education Partners, Yeime remains dedicated to building strong school communities that partner with parents to ensure every child has the opportunity to shine..

ABOUT OUR HOST

Daniel Casselli is a life-long learner whose passion for education has driven his professional endeavors. He is a former classroom teacher and youth ministry director whose entrepreneurial spirit landed him in the world of education technology. At EVERFI Inc., Daniel helped run the business development efforts for EVERFI’s Financial Education Program and the company was eventually sold to Blackbaud for $750M in 2021. Shortly before EVERFI’s acquisition, Daniel joined Class Technologies as one of the earliest sales hires and went on to lead K12 Enterprise Sales and helped the company land its first 100+ K12 customers across public, charter, and private schools. Daniel brings his unique experiences to BuyQ where he is focused on growth, operational excellence, business strategy, and client satisfaction. He is a graduate of Grove City College where he studied Religion and History. 

You can listen to Charter School Insider: Lessons from the Nation's Top Charter School Operators on your favorite podcasting platform...

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