Board Development

Explore the Nuts and Bolts of Nonprofit School Governance

The Board of Directors plays an important role in the success of charter schools. Charged with providing the big picture and direction for the school, effective governing Boards exemplify several key characteristics, as outlined by the National Association of Charter School Authorizers:

  • Passionate, unwavering belief in the charter school’s mission and core values
  • A firm understanding of the charter promises and a clear, consistent way to measure them
  • Clarity of collective vision—where the school is and where it wants to be in the future
  • Focus on results
  • Clarity of roles and responsibilities of the full board, individual trustees and committees
  • The right structure in terms of board size, composition, committees and officers
  • Board meetings focused on strategic issues, not just reporting
  • Clear understanding of the difference between governance and management
  • A school leader who has the time to assist in the creation of effective governance
  • A strong partnership between the board and the school leader which is built on mutual trust and respect

To help charter school boards align towards these goals, Innovative Schools’ on-site, customized training for school board members explores such topics as:

  • Governance and accountability in charter school boards
  • Recruiting and retaining high quality board members
  • Ensuring effective board operations

 For boards needing more comprehensive support, the program can be expanded to include:

  • Assessments of current board operations
  • Creation of a Board Development Plan
  • On-going assistance and support during plan implementation.