GOVERNANCE PROCESS

The LCS Board of Directors oversees the Executive Director (ED). The Head of Schools reports to the ED according to all things related to the day to day operations of the schools. The principals manage their respective school and work collaboratively with various director level positions.

As leaders of the Academy, the Board seeks to establish the end results, goals, and outcomes of the Academy and adopt a framework of administrative policies and executive limitations on the Head of School in achieving these ends, goals, and outcomes.

BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES

In leading the Academy, the Board shall govern with an emphasis on:

· Biblically-based integrity and truthfulness in all methods and practices

· Outward vision rather than an internal preoccupation

· Strategic leadership more than administrative detail

· Clear distinction of Board and employee roles

· Collective rather than individual decisions

· Future rather than past or present

· Proactivity rather than reactivity

The Board will cultivate a sense of group responsibility and be responsible for excellence in governing. The Board will be the initiator of policy, not merely a reactor to other initiatives. Expertise of individual members will be used to enhance the ability of the Board as a body, rather than to substitute the individual judgments for the Board’s values.

The Board will direct, control and inspire the organization through the careful establishment of written policies reflecting the Board’s values and perspectives about ends to be achieved and means to be avoided. The Board’s major policy focus will be on the intended long-term impacts outside the organization, not on the administrative or programmatic means of attaining those effects.

Major Responsibilities:

· Encouragement of the Executive Director, Administration, faculty, and Staff.

· The hiring and continued evaluation of Executive Director and Head of School.

· Make the final decision on the hiring of all faculty.

· Ensuring that a prudent budgeting process allows for funding the day-to-day

operations of the school; thus, the board evaluates and approves annual operating budgets for the school.

· Approving detailed monthly financial statements.

· Authorizes the Executive Director to enter into a contract or to execute and deliver an instrument in the name of and on behalf of Lakeway Christian Schools.

· Approves school policies in regard to such matters as hiring and firing of staff, maintenance of facilities, acquisitions of property and equipment, curriculum, student conduct, discipline, and fund-raising.

· Develops and protects the vision and strategy of Lakeway Christian Schools and see it is executed in a manner of excellence that glorifies God.

The Board will seek to govern with excellence. Therefore, disciplinary action may be taken on matters such as attendance, preparation for meetings, policy-making principles, respect of roles, and ensuring the continuance of governance capability.

Each member of the Board will support the final determination and decision of the Board, regardless of the member’s personal position concerning such matter.

A quorum of the Board shall be a simple majority of all Board members eligible to vote. Members may attend Board meetings by telephone or by video conferencing upon giving prior notice to the Chair. All Board action requires approval by two-thirds (2/3rds) of the voting members of the Board at a meeting in which a quorum is present. Proxy votes will not be allowed. Voting may be conducted by e-mail, at the discretion of the Board Chair.

The Board shall monitor and oversee the Executive Director’s performance. At a minimum, the Board shall conduct an annual evaluation of the Executive Director, generally coinciding with the May or June meeting.

The Board will meet monthly, on a date determined by the Chair. Special meetings of the Board may be called at the request of the Executive Director, the Chair, or by the majority of the Board.

The Board commits to biblical, ethical, businesslike, and lawful conduct, including proper use of authority and appropriate decorum when acting as Board members.

Members must avoid conflicts of interest with the interests of the schools. This accountability supersedes any conflicting loyalties with interest groups and membership on other boards or staffs. It supersedes the personal interest of any Board member acting as a consumer of the organization’s services.

Members must avoid conflicts of interest with respect to their fiduciary responsibility. There should be no self-dealing or any conduct of private business or personal services between any Board member and the organization.

When the Board votes on an issue about which a member has an unavoidable conflict of interest they shall recuse themselves from the discussion and the vote.

Board members must not use their positions to obtain employment for themselves, family members, or close associates. Individuals may not be nominated or serve on the Board if they or their spouse are full-time employees of Lakeway Christian Schools.

Board members may not attempt to exercise individual authority over the organization except as explicitly set forth in Board policies. Each board member must remember that the authority of the board is corporate. Individual board members, in dealing with administration, staff, or parents may not represent the board unless specifically instructed to do so by the board.

Board members’ interaction with public, media, or other entities must recognize the same limitation and the inability of any Board member to speak for the Board except to repeat explicitly stated decisions. In general, the Executive Director and/or the Chairman of the Board shall speak for Lakeway Christian Schools to the public and media.

Board members must give unconditional acceptance to the Lakeway Christian Schools Doctrinal Statement.

Attendance at Board meetings is required of Board members. Repeated absences may be interpreted as a desire to resign from the Board.

Board Members shall strive to develop and maintain open channels of communication with local Christian churches. Each board member shall be an active advocate of Lakeway Christian Schools.

Board members with school-age children shall have them enrolled in Lakeway Christian Schools. Exceptions to this policy under special situations may be approved by the Board.