111 Scholars Academy Update from the Board of Directors August 2016 **Developed using resources from NC Department of Public Instruction and NC Office of Charter Schools

222 Our Mission Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy provides a differentiated and challenging learning environment that supports the distinctive intellectual, social, and emotional needs of highly gifted children and enables them to form meaningful relationships with their intellectual peers.

333 Board of Directors  Our Board (with end of term) −Renee Alsop (June 2017) −Jennifer McClave (June 2017) −Lee Keel (June 2017) −Makila Scruggs (June 2017) −Rob Watson (June 2018) −Katherine Pair (June 2018) −Manish Mittal (June 2018) −Jack Wagler (June 2018) −Brenda Romanoff (June 2019) −Jessica Cuneo (ex-officio)  All volunteer; mainly parents (charter specifies Board to have a parent- majority)  DPI estimates service of 8-10 hours per month  3 year terms - All new members within last 3 years  Decisions require majority vote

444 Public Meetings  We meet once per month on Monday nights at 6:30 pm −August 30 th (Tuesday) −September 26 th −October 24 th −November 28 th  Town Hall meeting - Tuesday, November 15 th (tentative)  Flexible options to fit your schedule: −Attend in person −Dial in by phone −Video of the Town Hall will be available on the school website

555 Organization Diagram Board of Directors Committees Executive Director Students/ Parents/ Community School Staff  Public Comment (e.g. Town Hall or Board meeting) or  Grievance Process (for school staff: only if unable to resolve with administration; for parents: only if unable to resolve with teacher then administration) Advisory Board  Governance  Student Performance  Finance  Development

666 Primary Responsibilities of Board  Ensure academic program is successful, measured by both internal and external assessments −Mission −Values & Vision  Confirm the school’s operational programs are faithful to the charter document, including compliance with legal requirements −Charter agreement with NC −Policy manual  Maintain a viable organization, which is financially solvent and has competent professional staff −Financial reviews and audits −Direct evaluation of school leader; Approves all personnel based on recommendation of school leader

777 Evaluate FOUR main things each year: 1. Goals in charter document are met 2. Progress to charter renewal 3. Performance of school leader 4. Performance of Board Primary Responsibilities of Board

888 Areas of Focus What did the Board do in ? −Streamlined Mission Statement −Created Values of Our Community and Vision for Our Graduates −Comprehensive Executive Director Hiring Process −Board and Executive Director Training/ Coaching −Policy Manual - ~ 50 policies, ~ 100 pages −Strategic Plan developed −Committee Charters and Meetings −Board meetings: stick to agenda, committee calendar, −Committee re-focus or establishment −Regular Executive Director & Committee reporting  Clear roles & responsibilities  More efficient & effective  Building infra-structure for the future

999 Committees Governance Student Performance FinanceDevelopment Responsibilities  Evaluate the Health and Vitality of the organization  Evaluate bylaws and established policies and practices  Board Recruitment, Orientation, Training  Evaluate performance of Executive Director  Evaluate Board  Define educational excellence (the goals) and devise clear and consistent measures to monitor, with lead administrator  Ensure all board members know the charter promises that were made to the community and state  Establish budget and monitor performance  Oversight of annual audit and tax reporting  Maintain compliance with lending covenants  Other financial matters  Raise additional funding to support the school  Recruit additional human resources to support the school  Ad Hoc committees: −Strategic Planning −Policy  The Board has the following regular committees:

10 Governance vs. Management GovernanceManagement Who BoardSchool Leaders What  Responsible to make sure the school performs through clear evaluative measures  Sets a goal; states an expectation  Responsible to lead and develop plans and procedures that drive the school’s performance  Acts to accomplish goal; carries out an activity Action Ensure (request data) Execute (implement plan) Questions to Ask How well?How will? Our board is not involved in day-to-day operation of school.

11 Governance vs. Management, continued *** Chart from Leaders Building Leaders (Dr. Tom Miller)

12 Policy vs. Procedure PolicyProcedure WhoBoardSchool Leaders What  Broad  Guiding principles  Less likely to change  Narrow application  Detailed steps & procedures  More likely to change Approval Board VoteBoard voting not required Questions to Ask What, Why, How Much?How, When, Where, Who? Goal of Policies: Ensure consistency of action & reduces re-deliberation, particularly during difficult situations. By creating policies, the Board gives administration the “box” to operate in. Minimum number of suggested policies is 25 to open a new charter school; more common is 100+!

13 Questions?