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Bay View Academy Governance Committee Regular Meeting Announcement & Agenda WHEN: February 4, 2016, 5:45 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. WHERE: 8A Mission: The mission of BVA is to provide rich and interactive learning opportunities that extend beyond the state standards, spark imaginations and produce creative, independent thinkers. Student-‐centered, interdisciplinary thematic units are developed by teachers, creating partnerships with local educational, cultural, and scientific research organizations to enhance learning of languages, history, the arts, and sciences. Innovative and talented teachers engage students in learning while preparing them to become creative and compassionate members of our community. Vision: We see a future in which Bay View Academy is a treasured focal point of our neighborhood and community. Children learn to be inquisitive, independent and responsible. Teachers receive the support they need for educating and nurturing the whole child to their full potential. Strong parent and community partnerships enrich the learning experience and instill a sense of civic pride and awareness. Collaboration flourishes, creating a virtuous cycle that strengthens communities and prepares children to tackle challenges and opportunities in the 21st century. Call to order (5:45) Comments and Questions from the Community Consent Agenda 1. Minutes from December, 3 2015 Discussion and Action Items 1. Discussion to replace Karina Barger 2. Discussion on Draft proposal for Board of Directors Code of Conduct 3. Discussion on the whereabouts and status of the policy related to affording children of BVA staff priority regarding enrolment 4. Discussion on present governing structure: Are we missing committees? are there committees that should be autonomous or part of the Board (i.e. wellness and CVO) 5. Discussion on the status of our work regarding the organization and prioritization of existing policies 6. Status on the plans to have Governance Committee training. Adjourn (8:00 P.M.)
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Governance Meeting 12/3/15 5:45pm Meeting called to order. Attendees: Alicia Doolittle (AD), Nancy Henderson (NH), William Arrocha (WA), Cathy Gomes (CG), Bryon Shaffer (BS) Nancy makes motion to approve the agenda and minutes. Alicia seconds. All in favor. Motion passes. Discussion: Policies: Discussion on existing policies. AD mentioned that the Administration staff would like to draft and propose additional policies that aren’t currently drafted to the Governance Committee for review and approval. WA would like to discuss a policy regarding safety during field trips in regards to requiring students to wear BVA logo gear. Discussion on policies status: The Committee organized policies in folders to begin a serious discussion on how to organize existing policies and work on new proposals. The folders are the following: Approved, outdated, under review, unknown status, drafts (see Alicia Doolittle’s spreadsheet) Discussion of Code of Conduct AD sent an email with an example of a Code of Conduct WA will draft a Code of Conduct based on several existing codes for our consideration AD and CG will find out about the status of the policies that are in the “under review “ policy folder Meeting Adjourned at 7:29
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Proposal for the Bay View Academy Charter School (BVA, the “School”) Board of Directors’ (“The Board”) Code of Conduct (DRAFT 01.22.2016) Members of the BVA Board of Directors (including ex officio members of The Board as well as nonvoting members as defined by Article VI of the School’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws) shall at all times abide by and conform to the following Code of Conduct in their capacity as members of the Board of Directors or members of Committees of the Board of Directors: I. On the Governance Structure Members of the Board of Directors shall always be aware of the following: •
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The authority of the Board rests only with the Board as a whole and not with individual members, except for the exclusive powers conferred by the School’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws to the the Board President, Vice-president, and Officers; The day-to-day administration and management of BVA rely on the school leader and manager (the Principal) and his or her administrative staff, and members of the Board should act accordingly. Although the curriculum is to reflect the “core principles,” Mission, and Vision of BVA, it is designed and implemented by teachers, under the supervision of the Principal and Academic Coordinators, and members of the Board should act accordingly.
II. On the general conduct of members of the Board of Directors •
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Members of The Board will abide in all respects by the BVA Board of Directors Code of Conduct and Ethics and all other rules and regulations of the School (including but not limited to the School's Charter, articles of incorporation and bylaws) and will ensure that their membership in the School remains in good standing at all times. Furthermore, each member of the Board will at all times obey all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations and will provide or cause to provide the full cooperation of the School when requested to do so by those institutions and their persons set in authority as are required to uphold the law; It is strictly prohibited for any member of the Board to use, in any context, language or actions that may denigrate a nationality, religion, language, race, people or gender; Members of the Board will conduct the business affairs of the School in good faith and with honesty, integrity, due diligence, and reasonable competence; Members of the Board will conduct the business affairs of the School to ensure at all times that the “core principles,” Mission, and Vision of BVA be upheld to the highest standards; Except as The Board may otherwise require or as otherwise required by law, no member of the Board shall share, copy, reproduce, transmit, divulge or otherwise disclose any confidential information related to the affairs of the School, and each member of the Board shall uphold the strict confidentiality of all closed sessions and other deliberations and communications of the Board; Members of the Board shall make every effort to attend and participate in regularly scheduled, special called board meetings, as well as those meetings in which they are acting members; Members of the Board shall ensure that they contribute on a timely fashion with their “family share”;
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No member of the Board should abuse board membership by improperly using board membership or School’s staff, services, equipment, resources, or property for personal or third-party gain or pleasure; Members of the Board shall not represent to third parties that their authority as a board member extends any further than that which it actually extends; Members of the Board shall not engage in any outside business, professional or other activities that would directly or indirectly materially adversely affect the School; Members of the Board shall always render all decisions based on available facts and his or her independent judgment, and refuse to surrender his or her judgment to individuals or special interest groups.
III. On the conduct of the members of The Board during Board meetings • •
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Members of the Board shall act at all times according to The Ralph M. Brown Act (“The Brown Act”); It is strongly recommended that Board meetings be conducted under the Roberts Rules of Order. However, the member of the Board chairing the meeting can decide the rules of the meeting or any adjustments to the Roberts Rules of Order as long as they comply with The Brown Act; Added to any codes found in The Brown Act pertaining to meetings, the following is expected by members of the Board prior to and during meetings: • To be informed and prepared in a timely fashion to discuss in a constructive and efficient manner issues to be considered on the Board agenda; • To work with other members of the Board in a spirit of harmony and cooperation in spite of differences of opinion that may arise during the discussion and resolution of issues at board meetings; • To vote for a closed executive session of the Board only when applicable by law or when a board policy requires consideration of a matter in executive session; • To maintain the confidentiality of all discussions and other matters pertaining to the Board and the School, during executive session of the Board; • To make decisions in accordance with the interests of the School as a whole and not any particular agreement thereof; • To express opinions before votes are cast, but after the Board vote, abide by and support all majority decisions of the Board; • To ensure the utmost respect to the rules of assembly or deliberations set by the Board President, Vice-president or any other member in charge of any Board meeting or Board approved activity; • To refrain from creating a confrontational environment by threatening with body language, voice or other demeanors peers, staff, student or members of the BVA community and public; • To refrain from engaging in disputes or quarrels with peers, staff, students or members of the BVA community and public. When members of the Board have any doubts, uncertainties or reservations on how to proceed regarding the interpretation or application of a School policy or an issue being discussed, they should always refer to the School’s Charter, articles of incorporation and bylaws. 2
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No decision can be taken by any member of the Board, the Board at large or a Board Committee if the School’s Charter, articles of incorporation and bylaws have not been properly consulted. Members of the Board are expected to dedicate the necessary time, thought and study to the performance of the duties and responsibilities that are required to act as a member of the Board. Members of the Board are expected to dedicate the necessary time, thought and study to be informed about current educational issues by individual study and through participation in programs providing needed education and training.
IV. On the conduct the members of the The Board with the BVA Leader and Administration • •
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Members of the Board shall never undermine the authority of the school leader or school administration; Members of the Board are expected to use all reasonable efforts to keep the school leader informed of concerns or specific recommendations that any member of the Board may bring to the Board; Members of the Board shall consider the employment of personnel only after receiving and considering the recommendation of the school leader; No member of the Board should abuse board membership by acting in a position of management; No member of the Board can interfere directly or indirectly in the process of class instruction. Such interferences include, and or not exclusive to the following: o To demand that a subject matter is instructed in a certain manner; o To demand the use of certain pedagogical materials over those in use by the instructor; o To demand changes in a class instructional schedule; o To appear in a classroom in session without being invited by the instructor (s) in charge of the class, the Principal or any other staff directly related to class instruction such as an Academic Coordinator; o To demand preferential treatment for a child, except if the child is entitled to receive additional services or accommodations under the following laws and their respective present and future amendments: Ø The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (1975) Ø Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Ø The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (1990).
V. On the conduct of the members of the The Board with the BVA Community and the Public • •
The Board needs to make every effort to seek regular and systemic communications with the community. Members of the Board cannot use their position as members of the board to encourage or induce parents, staff, students or a third party to act in a manner that goes counter to the School's Charter, articles of incorporation and bylaws as well as recorded boar d decision taken in public sessions as well as any decision taken in closed sessions; 3
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Members of the Board are expected to make every effort to communicate to the board and the school leader expressions of public reaction to board policies and charter school programs. Members of the Board shall refrain on campus and off-campus from acting in manners that play down the opinion of peers, staff, students, members of the BVA community and the public; Members of the Board shall refrain on campus and off-campus from behaviors that shame or humiliate peers, staff, student or members of the BVA community and the public.
V. On Conflicts of Interest •
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Members of The Board shall comply with the School’s Conflict of Interest Code, and all applicable laws and State Board of Education Standards, rules and guidelines (see Appendix G of the BVA Charter Renewal –revised May, 2013) Members of The Board shall announce potential conflicts of interest before any Board actions are taken.
Upon a motion supported by a two-thirds (2/3) vote, the Board may choose to conduct a hearing concerning a possible violation of this Code of Conduct by a member of the Board. The Board member accused of violating this Code of Conduct will have thirty (30) days notice prior to a hearing on the matter. The accused member of the Board may bring witnesses on his or her behalf to the hearing, and the Board may elect to call witnesses to inquire into the matter. If found by a vote of two-thirds of all the members of the Board that the accused member of the Board has violated this Code of Conduct, the Board shall determine an appropriate sanction. A board member subject to sanction may, within thirty (30) days of such sanction vote, appeal such decision to the [the State Board of Education or the Monterey County Board of Education?]. in accordance with the rules and regulations of [the State Board of Education and the Monterey County Board of Education?]. A record of the decision of the Board to sanction a board member for a violation of this Code of Conduct shall be placed in the permanent minutes of the Board.
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