Chesapeake Science Point Public Charter School Governing Board Establishment Protocol

Transcription

1 Chesapeake Science Point Public Charter School Governing Board Establishment Protocol January, 2014

2 Chesapeake Science Point Public Charter School Governing Board Background Anne Arundel County Board of Education has approved the charter renewal application for Chesapeake Science Point Public Charter School (CSP) on June 6, 2012, with additional requirements. One of the requirements is the reconstitution of a CSP Governing Board. A majority of the members must be elected by the parents of enrolled students to reflect the diversity of the community it serves. Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation Governing Board (CLF) has established the following guidelines to fulfill this requirement. Board Structure Chesapeake Science Point Public Charter School Governing Board (CSPGB) will consist of 5 (five) voting and 1(one) ex-officio members. Two of the members will be appointed by the CLF Board. The CLF CEO will be assigned as the ex-officio member of CSPGB. The other 3 (three) members will be elected by parents of enrolled CSP students. Board members will serve terms of one year, and may be reelected /reappointed. The 3 seats for parent-elected members will be subject to annual reelection pursuant to the below process. Nominations Applications will be made to the CLF central office as described in the application package until January15, 2014 by 5:00 pm. The CLF Governing Board will evaluate the applications and announce the nominees for the ballot by January 17, Election Current CSP parents will be able to vote in the week of January 21. The ballots will be at the front desk between 7:30 am and 5:00 pm and the parents will vote by signing their names. For each student only one parent/guardian is allowed to vote. Each voting parent or guardian may place as many votes as the number of vacant seats in the board up for election. Votes will be counted on January 24 at 5:30 pm. The electees will be announced by January 27. New CSP Governing Board is planned to convene its very first meeting as early as February 4, CSP Governing Board Establishment Protocol Page 2

3 The Chesapeake Science Point Public Charter School Governing Board Job Description General Responsibilities: Responsible for ensuring that the academic program of Chesapeake Science Point Public Charter School (CSP) is successful, that the school's program and operation are faithful to the terms of its charter, and that the school is a viable organization. Mission: The Board mission is twofold: a. To be strong advocate of CSP to forge robust ties with the community it serves, and b. To oversee CSP s academic and non-academic services to ensure that students, parents, and other stakeholders in the community are afforded with quality education. Specific Responsibilities: 1. Determine the mission and purpose of CSP and keep it clearly in focus. a. Create and periodically review the mission statement which: I. Serves as a guide to organizational planning, board and staff decision-making, volunteer initiatives, and setting priorities among competing demands for scarce resources. II. Is used as the vehicle for assessing program activities to ensure that the organization is not drifting away from its original purposes. b. Understand and support the mission statement. 2. Support and review the performance of the School Principal a. Provide frequent and constructive feedback. b. Assist when board members overstep prerogatives or misunderstand their roles. c. Compliment for exceptional accomplishments. d. Provide for an annual written performance review with a process agreed upon with the School Principal well in advance. 3. Ensure effective organizational planning a. Approve an annual organizational plan that includes concrete, measurable goals consistent with the charter. 4. Ensure adequate resources a. Approve fundraising targets and goals. b. Assist in carrying out development plan. c. Make an annual gift at a level that is personally meaningful. CSP Governing Board Establishment Protocol Page 3

4 5. Manage resources effectively a. Approve the annual budget. b. Monitor budget implementation through periodic financial reports. c. Ensure adequate insurance is in force to cover students, staff, visitors, the board and the assets of the school. 6. Enhance CSP's public standing a. Serve as ambassadors, advocates and community representatives of the school. b. Ensure that no board member represents her/himself as speaking on behalf of the board unless specifically authorized to do so. c. Provide for a written annual report and public presentation that details CSP s mission, programs, financial condition, and progress made towards charter promises. d. Approve goals of an annual public relations program. CSP Governing Board Establishment Protocol Page 4

5 Chesapeake Science Point Public (CSP) Charter School Individual Board Member Performance Expectations General Duties and Responsibilities: Each member is responsible for actively participating in the work of the CSP Governing Board and the life of the school. Each member is expected to affirm and strive to fulfill the performance expectations outlined below. These expectations are to be clearly articulated prior to nominating any candidate as a board member. The Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation (CLF) Board will nominate the candidate only after s/he has agreed to fulfill these expectations. In addition to the responsibilities below, individual members are expected to help each other fulfill the tasks outlined in the collective Job Description of the Governing Board. Specific Responsibilities: 1. Believe in and be an active advocate and ambassador for the values, mission, and vision of CSP. 2. Work with fellow board members to fulfill the obligations of board membership. 3. Behave in ways that clearly contribute to the effective operations of the Governing Board: a. Focus on the good of the organization and group, not on a personal agenda b. Support board decisions once they are made c. Participate in an honest appraisal of one's own performance and that of the board d. Build awareness of and vigilance towards governance matters rather than management. 4. Regularly attend board and committee meetings in accordance with the absenteeism policy. Prepare for these meetings by reviewing materials and bringing the materials to meetings. If unable to attend, notify the board or committee chair. 5. Be prepared to contribute approximately 8-10 hours per month toward board service which includes: a. Attending a month board meeting (2 hours) b. Participating on a board committee (2 hours) c. Reading materials, preparing for meetings (1 hour) d. Attending events at the school, assisting with fundraising and other ambassador tasks as needed (1-2 hours) 6. Keep informed about the school and its issues by reviewing materials, participating in discussions, and asking strategic questions. 7. Actively participate in one or more fundraising event(s) annually. 8. Serve as a committee or task force chair or member. 9. Inform the CSP Governing Board of any potential conflicts of interest, whether real or perceived, and abide by the decision of the board related to the situation. CSP Governing Board Establishment Protocol Page 5

6 Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation 7321 Parkway Drive South Hanover, MD Application for Appointment to the Chesapeake Science Point Public Charter School Governing Board DEADLINE: Name: A completed application (including this cover page) must be received by close of business on Wednesday, January 15, Applications may be ed in PDF format to info@clfmd.org. Address: Telephone: (Home) (Work) (Cell) Date of Birth: Are you a parent/guardian of CSP student? YES NO If yes, how long? What is the best way to reach you? Have you ever been convicted of a crime? (Please circle) YES NO Please attach a current résumé with this application. Professional organizational memberships and positions held and length of service: (Please limit to past ten years) CSP Governing Board Establishment Protocol Page 6

7 Community Involvement: (Please limit to the past ten years.) Awards/Honors: What awards/honors have you been most proud to receive? (Please include the year of the award and the awarding institution or entity.) CSP Governing Board Establishment Protocol Page 7

8 Please answer the following questions. Your responses for each question must be typed and may not exceed two pages and be written in 1.5 lines-spaced 12-point font on 8 1 / 2 x 11 sheets of paper. 1. Why are you interested in serving on the CSP Board? Please include an explanation of the primary strengths and resources you would bring to the Board and what you believe is the proper role of a Board member. 2. What do you believe are the three most critical issues currently Maryland Public Schools are facing? What specific ideas do you have to address these issues? 3. What do you believe are the three most critical issues Maryland Charter Schools especially in Anne Arundel County are currently facing? What specific ideas do you have to address these issues? 4. What is your exposure to, or experience with, CSP or Charter Schools? Assurances I CERTIFY that this application (and any copy or facsimile of same) contains no willful misrepresentation and that the information is true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I further certify and understand that: Completion and submission of this application, gives the Chesapeake Lighthouse Foundation (CLF) the authority to submit my name for a criminal records check including a search of the child abuse registry; Information on this application and any documents submitted to be included with this application will be deemed public records of the CLF and may be made available to the public upon request. Only information deemed confidential in accordance with applicable federal and state law will be withheld from public disclosure; Should any investigation at any time disclose otherwise, my application may be rejected; and By signing this application, I am consenting to any reasonable inquiry that may be necessary to verify the information I have provided on this form or that I may provide in conjunction with my application for the CSP Governing Board. Signature : Date : CSP Governing Board Establishment Protocol Page 8