You went into education because you wanted to make a difference in kids’ lives. Working with a developer can take the burden of managing a real estate project off your shoulders, freeing you up to focus on executing your mission. Whether you work with a developer or not, you must remember that the decision-making responsibility lies with you. This section will equip you with the information you need to make decisions that serve the best interests of your school: a deeper understanding of the different development models that you can sign up for, results of our developer survey, a set of guiding questions to ask developers you're considering working with, and a comparison of the different models.

The definition of fiduciary duty, according to Investopedia.com, is: “A legal obligation of one party to act in the best interest of another. The obligated party is typically a fiduciary, that is, someone entrusted with the care of money or property. Also called fiduciary obligation.” 

When getting into an arrangement with a developer, always remember that the fiduciary responsibility of the school lies with you, your board, and your staff. No one else. One aim of this section is to help you make informed decisions that keep dollars in the classroom. The below guides are best consumed in chronological order.

• Develop the Project Yourself or Partner with a Developer
• Developing Your Facility No One Size Fits All
• Different Models Different Needs
• Developer Survey Findings
• Key Questions for Developers
• Modifying your Charter School Facility Plan to Mitigate the Impact of COVID-19: Evaluating Turnkey Developer Options