# 63 A masterclass on master schedules ft. Matt Troha of Timely (former COO at Mastery Charter Schools)
- E63
- 45:31
- December 5th 2025
Master scheduling isn’t just a logistical task—it’s a strategic lever that shapes student outcomes, staff experience, and long-term sustainability. In this episode, Daniel sits down with Matt Troha, former COO of Mastery Charter Schools and now Partnerships Manager at Timely, to unpack why the master schedule is often the most dreaded project of the year—and how AI, data-driven models, and smarter operational design are changing everything.
With 20 years of K–12 experience, Matt walks listeners through:
-How strategic priorities must inform the instructional model.
-Why accurate enrollment projections determine financial health.
-How adult-centric constraints can unintentionally weaken student schedules.
-What zero-based scheduling can do for efficiency.
-Why traditional tools (Excel, sticky notes, whiteboards) can’t keep up.
-And how AI-powered scheduling is saving schools weeks, not days.
Charter executives will walk away with a deeper understanding of how to align mission, budget, and instruction; using a schedule as a strategic asset rather than a burden.
Interested in becoming a guest?
Contact us at [email protected]
Learn more: buyq.org/podcast
Charter School Insider: Lessons from the Nation's Top Charter School Operators
Welcome to "Charter School Insider: Lessons from the Nation's Top Charter School Operators" the only podcast dedicated to the ‘behind-the-scenes” business of running a successful charter school.
Join us as we sit down with charter school leaders who share how they are overcoming the biggest operational hurdles facing their schools today. Each episode will leave you with unique insights and tactical strategies that you can implement at your school. Enjoy the show!