Governance

The Board of Directors plays a crucial role in overseeing the operation of a charter school. A charter school board is required to include a mix of teachers, parents, and community members, ensuring representation from key stakeholders. Importantly, the board must maintain independence from conflicts of interest—teachers and parents of enrolled students can serve, but no other employees or contractors may hold voting positions. This structure ensures a balanced and fair governance body that remains focused on the needs of the students and the school community.

Beyond representation, the board is responsible for critical policy decisions that shape the school’s operation. This includes overseeing the school’s budget, curriculum, staffing, and overall operating procedures. The board also plays a pivotal role in evaluating the school’s mission, ensuring academic goals are met, and providing guidance on personnel evaluations. Additionally, the board must implement policies on nepotism and professional development to maintain transparency and high standards.

Training is an essential aspect of a charter school board member’s role. All members must undergo annual training focused on financial management, employment policies, and the board’s duties. This ensures that members are well-equipped to manage the complex responsibilities of governance and oversight. Board meetings are open to the public under open meeting laws, promoting transparency, and the board’s decisions and discussions are made accessible through published meeting minutes.

Overall, the board of directors provides vital leadership and ensures accountability in fulfilling the charter school’s mission. Through a blend of governance, policy setting, and ongoing oversight, they help to shape the future of the school while staying attuned to the needs of the students and broader school community.

The Executive Director and K–8 Principal is Art and Science Academy’s chief executive and lead school administrator. The position is accountable to the Board for districtwide academic leadership, student experience, personnel, finance, legal compliance, authorizer performance, operations, technology, facilities, food service, data systems, enrollment, and community relations. The position provides principal leadership across grades K–8 and ensures that ASA’s arts- and science-integrated mission is reflected in instruction, culture, operations, and strategic decisions.

The Executive Director leads through a combination of direct performance, supervision, and delegation. Operational responsibilities may be assigned to other administrators or staff; however, delegation does not transfer the Executive Director’s accountability to the Board for performance, compliance, fiscal stewardship, or timely completion.
 

The Director of Student Services provides districtwide leadership and day-to-day coordination for Art and Science Academy’s student-support systems. The position leads assigned work in special education coordination, Section 504, multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), behavior intervention, student wellness, attendance and engagement supports, and related compliance and service-delivery systems across grades K–8.

The Director works under the supervision of the Executive Director and K–8 Principal and collaborates with the licensed Special Education Director, special education teachers and case managers, general education staff, paraprofessionals, families, and outside providers. The position may provide delegated work direction and program oversight, but does not independently exercise authority reserved to the Executive Director, Board, licensed Special Education Director, or IEP/Section 504 teams.