“We are pleased that the Washington State Charter Schools Association has made a strong selection in Tom Franta to lead the growing public charter school movement in the state. We are encouraged by Tom’s commitment to advocate for strong authorization and accountability practices while maintaining the freedom and flexibility that public charter schools need to serve their students well. I look forward to our continued work with the Washington State Charter Schools Association under his leadership.”
Nina Rees, President and CEO, National Alliance for Public Charter Schools
“In his position as the new CEO for the Washington State Charter Schools Association Thomas Franta brings a depth of experience based on his work with school districts and public charter schools in New York and Minnesota. We are lucky to have someone of his caliber working to ensure high-quality public charter schools are opened and supported in Washington state.”
Chris Korsmo, Chief Executive Officer, League of Education Voters
“Truly committed to advancing our state’s public charter school movement, Thomas Franta brings wide ranging experience to WA Charters. He has a proven record of supporting the highest-quality charter schools and will be a tremendous asset to our state’s charter founders and future leaders. From his service as an administrator for Minneapolis Public Schools, he will also bring a depth of experience working with districts to help meet the needs of all students in Washington’s public education system – whether they attend a public charter or traditional public school. We’re very excited to have him on board!”
Dr. Joel Domingo, Board Member, Washington State Charter Schools Association
Adjunct Professor and Education Consultant, Northwest University
“I couldn’t be more pleased that Tom Franta has become the new CEO of the Washington State Charter Schools Association. Over his years of working to support high-quality charter schools in New York, Tom has earned the confidence of charter school leaders as well as state education policy makers. Tom is poised to represent the charter movement vigorously and thoughtfully, and help the state of Washington to create a charter sector that is high-quality and accountable not only to the students and parents it serves directly but to the public as well.”
James Merriman, Chief Executive Officer, New York City Charter School Center
“Democrats for Education Reform Washington is thrilled to welcome Tom Franta as the new CEO of WA Charters. Tom brings both traditional school district management and charter school authorizing experience to this role, and he has a heartfelt passion for doing better by underserved kids. Tom wants to lead a high functioning results oriented organization, which means he has landed in the right place.”
Lisa Macfarlane, Washington State Director, Democrats for Education Reform
“Committed to the belief that all children deserve a quality public school education, Tom Franta brings tremendous knowledge and experience to Washington’s charter school movement. We know Tom will work tirelessly to support the startup of high-quality charter schools across our state with a focus on serving academically and economically underserved communities.”
Marta Reyes-Newberry, Board Member, Washington State Charter Schools Association
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