Many parents and community members who serve as contributors are often surprised to learn that enlightened educators don't think that much differently from them. Enlisting the aid of a professional educator is the best way to avoid serious pitfalls and wasted time, as well as ensure some type of starting point. Another way to get the process started is to have group members participate in a brainstorming session. Ask everyone to list what they would like to see in their ideal school and what they never want to see in their ideal school. Those thoughts can then be built upon to construct a framework for further deliberations.
Charter schools have a reputation for innovation and deservedly so.
All the research and anecdotal information concludes that all people don't learn in the same way. Charter schools provide an opportunity to adopt teaching methods to learning styles, so it makes sense to welcome a diversity of opinion and new ideas. Another way to get started is to look at the legislative framework within which one must work. The Legislature will mandate many items that must be included in the charter and those mandates can serve as an outline. Because the charter is a legal document, an attorney should review it.