"More Great Seats 4 Kids": A SUNY Charter Schools Institute Podcast · SUNY Charter Schools Institute

How School Leaders Collaborate to Build Strong Public Charter Schools

March 3, 2025·42 min·3 clips

A fourth-grade student with an IEP made two years' growth in one year, proving every child can succeed with the right support.

This episode features a conversation between host Mike Leszczynski and two charter school founders, Dermot Madison of South Shore Charter School and Mark Crisante of the newly approved Diamond Charter School. Dermot Madison mentors Mark Crisante, sharing his experience from founding and operating a charter school on Long Island. The discussion centers on their collaborative relationship and the practical journey of starting a charter school. Dermot Madison began his career over 15 years ago in New York City charter schools, witnessing how data-driven instruction could close achievement gaps. A pivotal moment was a fourth-grade student with an IEP making two years of academic growth in one year through intensive intervention. His leadership roles culminated in founding South Shore Charter School, which focuses on academic excellence, character development, and inquiry-based learning. Mark Crisante, with a similar 15-year background in the sector, was inspired by educational disparities he observed growing up in Prince George's County, Maryland. He named his school Diamond to reflect the "four C's" of character, collaboration, courage, and clarity. A major shared challenge was securing facilities, with Dermot recounting a deal that fell apart just months before opening, forcing a delay. Both leaders emphasize continuous community engagement, including canvassing neighborhoods and holding forums to listen to families. Dermot stresses the importance of hiring for passion and coachability, bringing key leaders on board early in the process. He advises having not just a Plan A, but also Plans B and C for critical issues like facilities. Mark notes that opposition to charter schools is a reality, and Dermot's guidance prepared him to respond with cooperation rather than conflict. The SUNY charter application process, described as rigorous and tedious, forced both to meticulously plan academics, culture, and operations, creating a foundational blueprint. Dermot proactively built a working relationship with his local school district by making the first contact and maintaining open communication. Mark aims to collaborate with the Hempstead district by potentially sharing facilities and professional development as an International Baccalaureate candidate school. Dermot describes founding a school as a sometimes lonely endeavor and sees mentorship as a way to pay forward the support he received. Mark advocates for a stronger coalition of Long Island charter schools to share best practices and lobby for resources like the Summer Boost program. He observes a positive cultural shift where authorizers like the SUNY Institute now act more as supportive partners than just compliance monitors. The tone is conversational, practical, and supportive, blending personal anecdotes with actionable advice for new school founders. This episode is ideal for aspiring or new charter school founders, educators interested in school leadership, and those curious about collaborative models in education. Listeners seeking a debate on charter school politics or a highly produced narrative might find it less engaging.

As heard by us

Charter-school leadership is framed as disciplined planning, steady mentorship, and a fair amount of operational grind.

The episode focuses on the practical side of charter-school leadership, bringing together Dermot Madison of South Shore Charter School and Mark Crisante of newly approved Diamond Charter School.

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Need a steady, practical look at what it takes to launch a charter school?

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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