Excellence in Education!

About Us

Carolinas Academic Leadership Network (CALN) exists to empower school board members in North Carolina and South Carolina with the training and tools they need to serve students and their districts free from the toxicity often found in today’s political climate.

CALN is a joint project between the John Locke Foundation (Locke) in North Carolina and from South Carolina the Palmetto Promise Institute (PPI) and the South Carolina Policy Council (SCPC). All three are nonprofit public policy organizations dedicated to liberty and human flourishing.

Vision:

To build an organization…

  • Committed to academic excellence
  • Fosters a culture of serving students
  • Values parental involvement
  • Equips, trains, and empowers local school board members

Mission: CALN endeavors to be the most influential voice for student achievement, parental authority, and superior school board service in the Carolinas.

Upcoming Events

CALN Kick Off – 6:30 – 8:00 pm, June 28, 2023 | Charlotte, NC

REGISTER HERE

Back-to-School Events –

September 13, 2023 – North Carolina

September 14, 2023 – South Carolina

Registration link for our Back-to-School events forthcoming!

The Team

Amy O. Cooke — “The Right AOC”— is the Chief Executive Officer of the John Locke Foundation and publisher of The Carolina Journal

Kelly Mann is CALN’s Director of External Relations

Wendy Damron is President and Chief Executive Officer of Palmetto Promise Institute

Oran P. Smith, PhD, is Senior Fellow at Palmetto Promise Institute

Bob Luebke, PhD, is Director of the Center for Effective Education at the John Locke Foundation

Sam Aaron is Policy Analyst at South Carolina Policy Council

Bryce Fiedler is Senior Policy Analyst the South Carolina Policy Council