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Minnesota Charter School Resource Center (MCSRC) Handbook http://www.hhh.urnn.edulcenters/school-change/handbook/running.htm q . A new charter school will have an interim board that makes many decisions even before school staffers are employed. Select your initial or interim board carefully. The start up phase of a chB] school requires wise and experienced judgment by the interim board during the busy formative years. A new school faces many decisions about implementation of the charter, for example: decisions about personnel, policy formation, budget preparation, accounting, audits, curriculurr facilities, contracts, and student enrollment. Look for people with experience in several of the following areas: previous charter school involvement, service on other decision making boards school administration, finance, law and human resources. Also look for people with good connections in the community. The initial board for the school is limited to three years with ele school board having been formed before the end of the third year of the charter school's life. . The charter school statute says school staff and parents may vote on the selection of candidates the school board [Minn. Statutes 124D.10, subd 4 (c)]. Most schools hold a meeting for the election of school board members or send a paper ballot with a brief description of each of the candidates. Your school should have a set of bylaws (see references at the end of this chapter f( samples) spelling out board composition, terms of office, board officers, voting procedures and other matters. . There must be a clear understanding about the role of a school board member and the commitrr it requires. Members must attend meetings regularly and promptly. They must make decisions j the good of the school rather than any member's personal benefit. They must avoid a conflict 01 interest [Minn. Statutes. I 24D.1 0, subd 4a (a-e)]. If a conflict of interest arises, a member or members should excuse themselves from discussion and voting on that issue. . It will be helpful to people considering service on the board of directors to be aware of the kind experience and skills from which a board would benefit. These include: courage of conviction, dedication to the mission, patience, leadership, and reliability. A board benefits also from persc with financial, personnel and legal experience. [Top of DB!!e] Basic Responsibility The basic responsibilities of the school board are to: I. Ensure the school's operations are congruent with the charter school application that was appro by the sponsor and the State of Minnesota. 2. Ensure the school's operation meets the terms of the contract between the school and its sponso These require, from the outset, that board members are familiar with the charter school application an the contract. These documents, along with the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and Minutes of past meetings, should be in your board binder at all times. (TOD of DB!!e] Decision Making Areas As a schoo] board member you'll make major decisions about the schoo] and its implementation. Be aware, that the "buck" stops with you as a school board member--the day-to-day decisions will be ma by your administrator and staff members. You should not "micromanage" the school. That would undercut staff authority and responsibility and stifle initiative. Still, school board members are 20f5 9/29/046: 12 PM