1160 N 645 W Washington, UT 84780 (435) 251-8539
Board of Directors Meeting Agenda
26 Oct 2016, 5:30PM – 1160 N 645 West, Washington, Utah
Agenda Item / Presenter / Questions to answer / TimeWorkshop Start / Chair / 5:30
Review/Revise Policies / Chair / Discipline Policy
Governance Process Policy
Board Member Candidates Policy
Emergency Director Succession
Observation Observations / Chair / What impressions did the board members have of their observation visits?
Workshop End / 6:25
Board Meeting Call to Order / Chair / 6:30
Read Vision and Mission Statement / Chair
Approve Minutes from Previous Meeting / Secretary
Public Comment / 6:35
Director’s Report
· Short Celebration
· Average Daily Membership
· Classroom size breakdown
· Academic Progress Report / Director / 6:45
Finance Report
· Monthly Finance Statement / Business Manager / How do actual expenses compare to the school’s budget? / 7:00
Board Governance
· Policy Review
· Governance Training / Chair / Are the reviewed policies clear and do they align with the DMA’s Mission and Vision? / 7:15
Adjourn / Chair / What did you like about this meeting, what did you dislike, what needs to be changed for the next meeting? / 7:30
Vision
At DMA, our vision is to awaken within each child their unique potential that will enable them to make a valuable contribution to society.
Mission
The mission of Dixie Montessori Academy (DMA) is to provide a child-centered, individualized grade K-7 education founded upon the philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori. DMA will foster a structured environment of freedom and discovery in which each child can reach his or her full academic, social, and personal potential. Graduates of DMA will demonstrate creative thinking, self-discipline, respect, and cooperation, and will build a solid foundation for future success.
Discipline Policy (Proposed additions in red)
Inasmuch as DMA emphasizes the value of grace, courtesy, and respect, these principles will guide administrators and faculty in the application of the school’s disciplinary policies and procedures. This begins with teachers addressing disciplinary issues in a respectful and compassionate manner. In most cases, teachers will address and remedy discipline issues in the classroom. If the teacher is unable to remedy the problem generated by the student in the classroom, teachers will work closely with school administrators and parents to coordinate their efforts in the resolution of discipline matters. The Director is responsible for defining and implementing appropriate disciplinary procedure and as each child and situation is unique, consequences for similar infractions may vary. If suspension/dismissal is required, DMA staff will act in accordance with IDEA and all other applicable state and federal laws.
Special Needs Discipline
If a student is referred for disciplinary action and he/she has an Individualized Educational Program (IEP), the IEP Team will meet to determine if the behavior was due to a disability. If it is determined the behavior was not due to a disability, the Director shall follow the regular Discipline Policy and Procedures. If it is determined the behavior was due to a disability, a behavior plan will be created for the student. If a behavior plan is already in place, it will be reviewed and a determination will be made if it needs to be modified.
Governance Process Policy
Board Approved 18 Mar 2014
The Board will govern lawfully, observing the principles of the Policy Governance model, with an emphasis on:
1. Outward vision rather than internal preoccupation,
2. Encouragement of diversity in view-points,
3. Strategic leadership more than administrative detail,
4. Clear distinction of Board and Director roles,
5. Collective rather than individual decisions,
6. Future rather than past or present, and
7. Proactivity rather than reactivity.
Governing Style
1. The Board may conduct electronic meetings in accordance with the provisions of the Public Meetings Act and particularly 52-4-207 (UCA, 2007)
2. The Board will cultivate a sense of group responsibility. The Board, not the staff, will be responsible for excellence in governing. The Board will be the initiator of policy, not merely a reactor to staff initiatives. The Board will not use the expertise of individual members to substitute for the judgment of the Board, although the expertise of individual members may be used to enhance the understanding of the Board as a body.
3. The Board will direct, control, and inspire the organization through the careful establishment of broad written policies reflecting the Board’s values and perspectives. The Board’s major policy focus will be on the intended long-term impacts outside the staff organization, not on the administrative or programmatic means of attaining these effects.
4. The Board will enforce upon itself whatever discipline is needed to govern with excellence. Discipline will apply to matters such as attendance, preparation for meetings, policymaking principles, respect of roles, and ensuring the continuance of governance capability. Although the Board can change its policies at any time, it will scrupulously observe those currently in force.
5. Continual Board development will include orientation of new Board members in the Board’s governance process and periodic Board discussion of process improvement.
6. The Board will allow no officer, individual, or committee of the Board to hinder or serve as an excuse for not fulfilling group obligations.
7. During each meeting the Board will monitor and discuss the Board’s policies and performance of the current meeting. Self-monitoring will include comparison of Board activity and discipline to policies in the Governance Process and Board-Management Delegation categories.
Board Member Candidates Policy (Proposed additions in red)
Board Approved 18 Mar 2014
Any candidates for board membership will agree to the following:
1. Submit to a fingerprinting and criminal background check.
2. Read the Dixie Montessori Academy Charter and Board Policy Manual and sign a statement affirming they have read them and agree to be guided by those documents.
3. Complete all state required training with 60 days.
Emergency Director Succession
Board Approved 11 Jan 2014
The Director shall have one other administrator (budget permitting) sufficiently familiar with administrative issues and processes to enable them to take over with reasonable proficiency as an interim successor.
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