The Charter School Board Draft (CSBD) prepares community members to step into school board leadership and shape the future of our city’s schools.
Applications for the next cohort will open in fall 2027. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated about applications and nominations.
The Charter School Board Draft (CSBD) was created to recruit, train, and place passionate community members onto charter school boards across the city, shifting what Kansas City believes is possible for its schools, its kids, and its leaders. We have placed 51 community leaders onto school boards, including KCPS and charter schools, since 2022.
Any community member can be nominated for or apply to be part of the Draft. The only requirement is a deep care for students and a belief that every single one should have the opportunity to pursue their full potential.
Through a three-month program rooted in governance, data, and the history of education in Kansas City, you’ll develop the skills and confidence to govern effectively regardless of your background or prior experience.
Change doesn’t happen alone. The Draft connects you with a cohort of passionate community members, all committed to the success of Kansas City’s schools and children. The relationships you build here will last long beyond Draft night.
Every drafted board member joins the BLAQUE Kansas City Board Collective, a two-year leadership community built to strengthen governance, deepen peer relationships, and connect with other local leaders positively impacting students’ lives and outcomes.
As school board leaders, CSBD alumni have helped triple student enrollment, introduce engaging new curriculums, and help schools exceed performance metrics.
No experience required. The BLAQUE Kansas City Charter School Board Draft prepares individuals to serve as qualified community leaders, with ongoing community and guidance.
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Applications and nominations are open every other year and will reopen in fall 2027. No prior board experience required.
Selected applicants go through an interview process. This ensures we can match potential candidates with schools that would be a good fit for their backgrounds and areas of passion.
Over three months, candidates tour schools, participate in board introduction sessions, and complete a deep dive into governance, data, and the Kansas City charter school landscape.
An energetic event of joy, connectivity, and hope as participating schools select their new board members and we celebrate our community champions changing the lives of our city’s students.
The BLAQUE Kansas City Board Collective offers school board leaders continued support, guidance, and community for the first two years of their term.
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Contact UsThe BLAQUE Kansas City Charter School Board Draft is a first-of-its-kind nonprofit initiative that recruits, trains, and places passionate Kansas City, Missouri, community members onto charter school boards.
Any Kansas City community member with a passion for improving educational outcomes for students is encouraged to apply. No prior board experience is required.
You can either submit an application for yourself or a nomination for someone you believe should be a Kansas City school leader. Applications and nominations for the next cohort will open in fall 2027.
The 2026 Charter School Board Draft took place on April 11 at Arrowhead Stadium. Stay connected through our Substack, newsletter, and social channels to be the first to know when applications open for the next Draft.
Candidates undergo training that covers the charter school landscape, academic achievement data, and the history of education in Kansas City. They participate in school board intro sessions, tour participating schools, and complete an in-depth governance training.
Newly placed board members are inducted into the BLAQUE Kansas City Board Collective, a two-year education leadership community designed to strengthen governance skills, deepen peer relationships, and navigate real-life problems.
Stay informed about our work and upcoming opportunities in Kansas City.