1. 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

2. 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.

3. Board of Directors Our 2016-2017 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)
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

4. Public Meetings We meet once per month on Monday nights at 6:30 pm
August 30th (Tuesday)
September 26th
October 24th
November 28th
Town Hall meeting - Tuesday, November 15th (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

5. Students/ Parents/ Community
Organization Diagram
Advisory Board
Board of Directors
Committees
Executive Director
Students/ Parents/ Community
School Staff
Governance
Student Performance
Finance
Development
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)

6. 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

7. Evaluate FOUR main things each year:
Primary Responsibilities of Board
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

8. Areas of Focus Clear roles & responsibilities
More efficient & effective
Building infra-structure for the future
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

9. Committees The Board has the following regular committees:
Governance
Student Performance
Finance
Development
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

10. Governance vs. Management
Who
Board
School 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 Policy Procedure Who Board School Leaders What
Minimum number of suggested policies is 25 to open a new charter school; more common is 100+!
Policy
Procedure
Who
Board
School Leaders
What
Broad
Guiding principles
Less likely to change
Narrow application
Detailed steps & procedures
More likely to change
Approval
Board Vote
Board 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.

13. Questions?