Charter school incubator hires organizational architect

Senior fellow heads California school featured in ‘Waiting for Superman’

January 25, 2012

The Tennessee Charter School Incubator said Wednesday it has recruited a veteran education leader to help it set up a network of charter schools in 2014.

Todd Dickson is coming to Nashville to be a senior fellow at the incubator for two years. During that time, he will create a charter management organization of eight to 10 college-preparatory schools. Officials said Dickson plans to submit a charter application to Metro Nashville Public Schools to open at least one school in 2014.

Dickson’s Summit Preparatory Charter High School in Redwood City, Calif., was named two years ago by Newsweek magazine as one of the top 10 transformational schools in the country. The school also was featured in the documentary film “Waiting for Superman.”

“Securing a highly sought-after leader in education reform like Todd is an outstanding achievement for the Tennessee Charter School Incubator and the city of Nashville,” said Metro Mayor Karl Dean. “Of all the places Todd could have gone, we are pleased that he has chosen Nashville to launch his charter management organization. I commend the great work of the Incubator and others to position Nashville as a top destination for those leading innovation in education.”

Dickson will join the Tennessee Charter School Incubator in July. He said the group’s fellowship offer “allows me to develop my network and provides me with the resources and support I will need to launch my charter management organization in 2014.”

Source: Nashville Post