Pillsbury United Communities – Office of Public Charter Schools (PUC-OPCS) authorizes and oversees charter schools that boldly engage and affirm all students in innovative, challenging, authentic, relevant and equitable learning opportunities.

As a charter school authorizer, Pillsbury United Communities is not involved in the decision-making, day-to-day operations, staffing or financial management of its authorized charter schools. Every PUC-OPCS charter school operates independently, with its own executive leadership team, staff, and school board that are responsible for all financial, academic and operational activities, as well as school governance.  Pillsbury United’s primary role as an authorizer is to hold schools accountable for their performance, in accordance with their charter school contract.

PUC-OPCS authorizes 16 public charter schools across the state. These schools are designed so that the children and families whose needs are not being met by traditional public schools have access to relevant education that supports each student’s personal, social, and academic achievement. To find a charter school, please visit the MN Association of Charter Schools directory.

The PUC Office of Public Charter Schools (OPCS) is dedicated to authorizing and supporting high-quality, mission-driven charter schools that serve diverse student populations. Our goal is to provide schools with the tools, oversight, and guidance needed to drive academic excellence and community engagement.

Ensuring all students receive access to a high-quality education, regardless of background.

Maintaining rigorous accountability standards while providing schools with the resources they need to succeed.

Encouraging schools to implement culturally responsive, student-centered learning approaches.

Strengthening connections between schools, families, and local communities to enhance student outcomes.

Supporting schools in achieving long-term success through responsible governance, financial management, and continuous improvement.

Regular check-ins to assess school progress and identify areas for growth.

Helping schools align with PUC’s high school performance metrics.

 Ensuring schools meet state and federal requirements.

Offering workshops, training, and leadership development.

Providing tools and guidance to improve academic and operational effectiveness.

Leona Diggs, a proud Liberian American, is an educational leader with over seven years of experience in higher education and K-12. She specializes in student retention, institutional effectiveness, and inclusive strategies. A strong advocate for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), she focuses on bias reporting, anti-racist trauma-informed care, and integrating CRT into curricula. She holds a B.S. in Psychology and Biology, an M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration, and is pursuing an Ed.D., researching COVID-19’s impact on P-12 educators and student academic behavior in higher education.

Larry has been a dedicated leader at OPCS for nearly two decades, making a lasting impact both within the organization and in the broader community. A well-recognized figure in the charter school sector, he serves as an oral historian of OPCS, preserving its legacy and institutional knowledge. His passion and commitment are evident in his work with schools and his unwavering advocacy for equitable education. Larry’s deep connections and leadership continue to be invaluable to the team and the communities he serves.

Angie has been a dedicated member of PUC, steadily advancing through the organization before joining OPCS in 2020. She is deeply passionate about her role, committed to ensuring schools meet high standards, and strives to make OPCS a highly effective and efficient authorizing office. Her dedication to quality and continuous improvement is instrumental in strengthening the impact of OPCS.

Sawsan Natsheh is a highly motivated educator with more than 15 years of expertise in educational leadership and operations, specializing in financial resources management and policy development. She demonstrates a collaborative approach in driving strategic initiatives and fostering partnerships to enhance school performance and governance. Sawsan is committed to championing educational equity and excellence in the charter school sector. As Authorizing Manager at Pillsbury United Communities, Office of Public Charter Schools (PUC-OPCS), I am excited to support accountability and capacity-building, by helping schools grow while holding them to high academic and operating standards.

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• MDE Laws and Statues as it Relates to Education
• MDE LAWS and Statues as it relates to Charter Schools