SHOW NOTES
GUEST INFO
Episode Guest:
John Sun, Chief Executive Officer of Blueprint
Website:
EPISODE SUMMARY
Facilities planning isn’t just a real estate decision — it’s a strategic leadership moment that shapes a school’s long-term viability, culture, and stability.
In this episode, Daniel sits down with John Sun, CEO of Blueprint (formerly Pacific Charter School Development) — a nonprofit facility solutions partner that has supported charter schools for over 20 years. John brings deep experience in helping charter leaders navigate financing, real estate development, and the decision-making required to secure sustainable school homes.
From incubating in shared spaces to sequencing financing across growth stages, John outlines a clear, grounded framework for leaders who want to move from “dream building” to viable facility strategy — without losing sight of mission, culture, or financial health.
Whether you're in year zero planning mode, thinking about scale, or facing tough space constraints, this episode will give you clarity, confidence, and next steps.
EPISODE TAKEAWAYS
Start earlier than you think — even before authorization if possible. Early facilities planning prevents rushed, risky decisions later.
Clarity comes first: know your financial reality and your non-negotiables. Real estate is full of options — but not all of them are viable for early-stage operators.
Don’t go it alone. Partnering with organizations that have done this before drastically reduces risk, cost, and leader overwhelm.
Facilities planning is not just about square footage — it’s about momentum. The right first facility helps you stabilize enrollment, culture, staffing, and family trust.
Think flexible, phased, and community-rooted. Strategies like co-location, incubating in existing school space, or adaptive reuse can bridge the gap before long-term development.
Funding has evolved — but access still requires readiness. Schools with predictable enrollment, strong academic performance, and sound financials have better pathways to affordable long-term financing.
The biggest mistake? Dreaming too big, too fast. Realistic steps now create the foundation for the permanent home later.
RESOURCES
Charter School Growth Fund. Portfolio support including facilities planning resources.
Blueprint Projects. Sample School Case Studies & Facility Journey Videos.
Blueprint LinkedIn. Blueprint LinkedIn page
Book: Navigating Uncertainty: Scenario Planning for Facilities by Rich Billings and Reid Phillips, May 2024
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction to Facilities in Charter Schools
01:01 John Sun's Journey into Charter School Real Estate
02:29 Overview of Blueprint's Mission and Services
04:07 The Importance of Facilities in School Success
06:14 Challenges in Facilities Financing and Development
08:43 Navigating the Real Estate Process for Schools
10:20 Key Players in Facilities Acquisition
13:27 Starting the Facilities Process Effectively
17:30 Indicators of Realistic Planning in Facilities Projects
19:46 Current Landscape of Facilities Financing
23:09 Impact of Philanthropy on Facilities Development
28:03 Macro Drivers Affecting Charter School Facilities
32:03 Future Trends in Charter School Facilities
33:24 Final Advice for School Leaders on Facilities Projects
ABOUT OUR GUEST
John Sun has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Blueprint since 2014. Under his leadership, the organization has expanded to serve charter schools throughout California, Colorado, Texas, and Washington State.
Before joining Blueprint, John worked within the Los Angeles Unified School District to fund innovative facilities solutions for charter schools. He was also Vice President of New School Development at Green Dot Public Schools and oversaw Green Dot’s growth strategy, advocacy, community outreach, and student recruiting efforts. As Director of Real Estate Development for Green Dot, he developed eight permanent charter school campuses in Los Angeles. His previous professional experience also includes work in community redevelopment and as a consultant with PwC.
John holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Berkeley and a Master of Public Policy from the University of Southern California. John is a South Texas native and spends his free time chauffeuring his three boys.
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...