General Responsibilities
The Board of Directors holds the charter for Élan Academy Charter School. The Board is responsible for ensuring the success of the academic program, that the school’s program and operation are faithful to the terms of its charter, and that the school is a viable organization.
Specific Responsibilities
1. Keep the mission and purpose of Élan Academy clearly in focus.
Use the mission statement to guide all actions at all levels, including organizational planning, board and staff decision-making, developing initiatives, and setting priorities.
Assess program activities and decision through adherence to the school’s mission.
Understand and support the mission statement.
Periodically review the mission statement.
2. Select the School Director.
Reach consensus on the School Director’s job description.
Conduct a rigorous search and selection process to find the most qualified individual.
Oversee and approve contract negotiation and renewal.
3. Support and evaluate the School Director.
Provide frequent and constructive feedback.
Establish an annual written performance evaluation process in advance, agreed upon with the School Director.
4. Ensure effective organizational planning.
Hold an annual planning retreat for all board members.
Approve an annual organizational plan with concrete, measurable goals consistent with the charter and accountability plan.
5. Ensure adequate resources for the school.
Approve fundraising targets and goals.
Assist in executing the development plan.
Make an annual gift at a level that is personally meaningful.
6. Manage resources effectively.
Approve the annual budget.
Monitor budget implementation through regular financial reports.
Approve and evaluate the annual contract with the back office provider.
Approve accounting, financial, and personnel policies.
Provide for an independent annual audit by a qualified CPA.
Ensure the full board has the proper training to be effective stewards of public funding.
Ensure adequate insurance is in force to cover students, staff, visitors, the board, and the assets of the organization.
7. Determine, monitor, and strengthen the programs and services.
Assure that programs and services are consistent with the mission and the charter.
Approve measurable organizational outcomes.
Approve annual, attainable board and management level goals.
Monitor progress toward established outcomes and goals.
Assess the quality of programs and services.
8. Serve as ambassadors for the organization.
Serve as ambassadors, advocates, and community representatives for Élan Academy.
Provide a written annual report detailing the organization’s mission, programs, financial condition, and progress made toward charter and annual goals.
9. Ensure legal and ethical integrity and maintain accountability.
Approve policies to guide board members and staff.
Develop and maintain adequate personnel policies and procedures (including grievance mechanisms).
Adhere to the provisions of the organization’s bylaws and articles of incorporation.
Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local government regulations that apply to the organization.
10. Ensure the health of the Board.
Define board membership needs in terms of skill, experience, and diversity.
Cultivate, vet, and recruit prospective board member candidates.
Provide for new board member orientation.
Conduct an annual evaluation of the full board and individual board members.