Board Practices

Systems That Work—How Boards Ensure Accountability

Key Documents from a Workshop Presented by Sturgis Charter Public School at the Sheraton Braintree (April 6, 2006) and at SABIS International Charter School, Springfield (April 26, 2006).

Table of Contents: Documents Available Online
(Most of these documents are in PDF format )

1. What is Governance?
   1. What is a Board? (PDF)
   2. Design of the Partnership (PDF)
      a chart delineating areas of responsibility: board vs. school leader
   3. Performance Expectations for Board of Trustee Members (PDF)
      including duty of care, loyalty, and obedience
   4. What it Takes to Govern with Accountability (PDF)
2. Board Retreat/Goal-Setting Meeting
   1. Self-Evaluation Tool (PDF)
      table to be completed prior to retreat
   2. Retreat Materials (PDF)
      agenda, guiding documents, goals, etc.
      1. Retreat/Goal-Setting Meeting Agenda (PDF)
      2. What is a Board? (PDF)
      3. Design of the Partnership (PDF)
      4. Challenging Issues for the School (PDF)
      5. Sample Board Goals (PDF)
      6. Administration Goals & Actions Raised through Board Meeting Discussion (PDF)
   3. School Leader Goals (PDF)
      for performance evaluation of school leader
3. Budgets, Audits, & Financial Controls
   1. Budget Materials and Monthly Finance Committee Reports (PDF)
      list of items and reports shared with board during budget season
   2. Auditor Selection (PDF)
      how to go about choosing an auditor, a protocol
   3. Audit Committee Reports
      provided in Oct/Nov after annual audit
   4. Audit & Internal Control Guidelines
      a check list to see if school is following proper procedures, (Document Pending)
4. MCAS & Internal Assessments (PDF)
   list of reports to be provided to the board
5. Curriculum Documentation & Alignment
   sample of many documents to be provided to the board
   1. Curriculum Guide for Grade 10 English (PDF)
   2. Curriculum Guide for Grade 11 IB Environmental Systems (PDF)
6. Ongoing Focus on the Accountability Plan
   1. Enrollment Policy (PDF)
      board-approved, November 2004
   2. Board Calendar (PDF)
      monthly and fixed agenda items, July-June
   3. Sturgis Accountability Plan (PDF)
      board-approved April 2005