Creating an Effective Charter School Governing Board Guidebook

Charter Friends National Network

Produced under a grant from the

Annie E. Casey Foundation

November 2000

Creating an Effective Charter School Governing Board

Table of Contents

Introduction to the Creating An Effective Governing Board Workbook

Why Effective Charter School Boards Are Critical To The Success Of The Charter School Movement

Structure of the Workbook

A Few Points to Consider . . .

It Takes Time to Build an Effective Charter School Board

"They're Only Volunteers?"

The Approach

Chapter 1: Building the Foundation for an Effective Charter School Governing Board

Common Governance Problems Facing Charter Schools

Barriers To Board Effectiveness

Designing your Charter School Governance Structure: First Steps

Developing a Governance Structure

Three Dominant Models Of Charter School Board Governance

Grounding the Charter School Board in a Solid Model of Governance: Fundamental Assumptions

Distinction Between Governance And Management

"Ends" And "Means" Distinction

Clarity and Agreement About Who Does What

Specific Roles And Responsibilities Of The Charter School Board

Matching the Role of the Board with the Charter School's Stage of Organizational Development

Board Development As A Process

Basic Elements Of Board Development

Critical Role of the Board Development Committee

Critical Role of the Full Board

Summary

Chapter 1: Tools You Can Use

Samples Of Foundation Documents

Essential Resources for Defining Board Roles, Responsibilities and Governance Philosophy

Chapter 2: Identification And Recruitment Of Board Directors

Introduction

Elements of an Effective Recruitment Process

Sample Recruiting Timetable

Step 1. Establish A board development committee

Step 2. Prepare For Active Board Director Recruitment

Step 3. Develop A Profile Of The Current Charter School Board

Step 4 Determine Strategies to Build Board Diversity

Step 5. Develop An Initial List Of Prospective Board Directors

Step 6. Conduct First Round Of Personal Contact With Top Recruiting Prospects

Step 7. Schedule And Conduct Orientation Sessions With Prospective Board Directors

Step 8. Selection/Appointment Of New Members To The Charter School Board.

 Summary

Chapter 2: Tools You Can Use

Samples Of Foundation Documents

Essential Resources for Board Recruitment

Chapter 3: Orientation and Training of Board Directors

Introduction

Board Orientation Timetable

During The Recruitment Stage (Before Election Or Appointment To The Charter School Board)

New Member Orientation (Immediately Upon The Election Or Appointment To The Charter School Board)

Early Service (During The First Three Months Of The New Board Directors' Tenure)

Ongoing Orientation (Orientation, Training And Support On An Ongoing Basis For Old And New Board Directors Alike)

Determining Orientation and Training Needs of Board Directors

The Board Director Manual

Strategies for Board Orientation

Involvement of Past and Current Board Directors in Orientation and Training

A Last Bit of Advice

Chapter 3: Tools You Can Use

Samples Of Foundation Documents

Essential Resources for Board Orientation and Training

Chapter 4: Board Decision-Making And Meetings

Basic Assumptions

Board Decision-Making Model

Charter School Board Governance Framework Chart

Elements Of Effective Decision-Making

Policy-Making: A Critical Area of Board Decision-making

How Policy Is Created

Board Policy Manual

Tools to Support Effective Board Decision-making

Decision-Making Flowchart

Decision Matrix

The Role Of The Executive Committee In Facilitating Effective Board Decision Making

Time Management of Board Meetings

Consent Agendas

Annual Calendar Of Major Board Decisions

Organizational Dashboard

Providing The Board The Information It Needs To Make Effective Decisions

Characteristics Of Good Board Information

Board Book Containing The Agenda And Information Packet In Advance Of Board Meetings

Communication In Between Board Meetings

Chapter 4: Tools You Can Use

Samples Of Foundation Documents

Essential Resources for Board Decision-making and Meetings

Chapter 5: The Board Role In Strategic Thinking And Planning

Why Charter School Boards Need To Think And Plan Strategically

Role Of The Board In Strategic Planning

Steps of the Strategic Planning Process

Effective Strategic Planning Practice

Keeping Your Strategic Plan Visible

Strategic Thinking - Not Just During The Strategic Planning Process

Thinking and Acting Strategically: Encouraging Visionary Board Leadership

The New Profile of Charter School Board Leadership

 Barriers to Visionary Board Leadership

Strategies To Foster Visionary Board Leadership

Summary

Chapter 5: Tools You Can Use

Samples Of Foundation Documents

Essential Resources for Strategic Planning

Chapter 6: Legal And Financial Responsibilities Of Charter School Boards

Foundation for the Board's Legal and Financial Responsibilities

Legal Responsibilities of Board Directors

Financial Oversight by the Board of Directors

Table, Board, Committee and Staff Roles in Financial Oversight

Avoiding Conflicts of Interest

Risk Management

Implications Of Volunteer Protection Act Of 1997

Special Education

Chapter 6: Tools You Can Use

Samples Of Foundation Documents

Essential Resources for Understanding Board Legal and Financial Issues

Chapter 7: Board-Staff Relations

Role Of The Board In Selecting And Supporting The Administrator

What's In A Name? - The Nature Of The Board-Staff Relationship

Common Problems In The Relationship

Laying The Foundation For An Effective Relationship

The Supervisory Role of the Board of Directors

Tools For Strengthening The Board/Administrator Relationship

Effective Hiring or Selection Process for the Charter School Administrator

Written Job Descriptions for Board Directors and the Administrator

Written Administrator Job Description

Clear Definition Of How The Relationship Between Board And Administrator Works

Communication Plan that Provides Information

Involvement of Board and Staff in Strategic Planning

Maintain Healthy And Mutually Supportive Relationship Between The Board Chair And Charter School Administrator

Maintain An Effective Board Recruitment And Orientation Program

Maintain Ongoing Clarity Re: Board Policy And Oversight Functions

Evaluating The Charter School Administrator

Contracting Out: Other Staffing Models and Implications for Board Governance

Private Management Firms

Teacher Cooperatives

Conflict Management and Resolution

Common Areas of Board and Staff Conflict

Conflict Between Board Directors

Conflict Between The Board And Executive

Chapter 7: Tools You Can Use

Samples Of Foundation Documents

Essential Resources for Building Board-Staff Relations

Chapter 8: Building Strong Parent And Community Relations

Introduction

Promoting Parent and Family Involvement

Use of Advisory Committees

Linking Parent And Community Involvement To Plans For Student Achievement

Forging Alliances, Partnerships and Collaborations Chapter 8: Tools You Can Use
 Samples Of Foundation Documents

Essential Resources for Building Strong Parent and Community Relations

Chapter 9: Board Director Motivation And Accountability

Introduction

Board Director Motivation Model

Recognition of Board Directors

Recognition As A Motivational Strategy

Other Motivational Strategies

Accountability and Reporting Tools

Written Board Director Position Description

Annual Board Self-Evaluation Process

Ongoing Individual Accountability Contacts

Personal Goal-Setting By Board Directors

Ongoing Board Leadership Development

Chapter 9: Tools You Can Use

Samples Of Foundation Documents

Essential Resources for Board Director Motivation and Accountability

Chapter 10: The Board at Work: Effective Committees

Introduction

Types of Committees

The Committee Structure

Effective Board Committees: The Basics

Why Committees Don't Work

Elements Of Committee Effectiveness

Additional Practices to Enhance Committee Effectiveness

Evaluating Committee Meetings

Annual Committee Calendar Of Major Decisions And Meetings

Use Of Task Forces And Work Groups

Additional Suggestions

Chapter 10: Tools You Can Use

Samples Of Foundation Documents

Essential Resources For Effective Committees

Chapter 11: Board Role In Fund-raising

Why Charter Schools Need To Engage In Fund-raising

The Role of the Board in Fund-raising

Fund-raising Principles for Board Directors

Creating a Strong Fund Development Committee

Training to Support The Board's Fund-raising Role

Creating A Fund Development Plan

Developing The Fund-raising Case

Types Of Fund-Raising Activities

Levels of Board Involvement in Fund-raising

Chapter 11: Tools You Can Use

Samples Of Foundation Documents

Essential Resources for Board Involvement in Fund-raising

Chapter 12: Board Self-Assessment

Introduction

Leadership Support For The Continuous Improvement Effort

Indicators of Board Effectiveness

 Assessment Tools With Goal Setting And Follow Through

Use of Retreats

Additional Tools for Board Assessment and Improvement

Chapter 12: Tools You Can Use

Samples Of Foundation Documents

Essential Resources for Board Self-Assessment

Chapter 13: Resources for Board Building