SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER (VOLUNTARY)

Job Description

Job Description

Soleil Academy Board Member Roles and Responsibilities

Please note: This is a volunteer (unpaid) position with Soleil Academy Charter School. Interested candidates must reside in or near the Los Angeles County.

Soleil Academy is an open-enrollment, tuition-free, TK-5th grade public elementary school in the city of Lynwood, authorized by the Los Angeles County Office of Education.

Our Mission

Through academic rigor, character development, and a structured learning environment, Soleil Academy Charter School will ensure that every transitional kindergarten through fifth grade scholar has the foundation necessary for college success and a future bright with opportunity.

Our Vision

Soleil Academy Charter School provides an academically challenging, disciplined, and jubilant elementary school in which all members of the school community — board members, leaders, teachers, families, and scholars — understand and are driven by the mission of Soleil Academy, rooted in the belief that the path to college for all students begins in elementary school. 

We devote the majority of our financial, temporal, and curricular resources towards powerful literacy acquisition for our scholars; we provide a unique and comprehensive focus on the development of oral language as the hallmark of our school wide enrichment program; and we measure students’ academic progress on growth, comparative, and absolute terms.

Overview & Purpose

The Soleil Academy Board is singularly focused on carrying out its mission to educate all TK-5 students for academic and life success, with a focus on college preparation for all students regardless of demographic background.

Board members must share a commitment to this mission and to the vision of an academically rigorous, disciplined, public charter school serving the traditionally under-served students of Lynwood. They must be dedicated, passionate, and entrepreneurial individuals willing to volunteer their expertise, connections, and time to ensure completion of a successful charter application and the ultimate success of Soleil Academy in fulfilling its mission.

The Governing Board consists of 5-9 members.

Responsibilities of the Board

• Assist in the design of business and facilities plans to ensure sound fiscal health

• Provide strategic guidance on development strategy and fundraising activities

• Govern the school and be accountable for the school’s success

• Work collaboratively with the ED and Chair to identify, recruit, and develop strong board members

• Help cultivate community support and galvanize a network of strategic partnerships

Performance Expectations of Individual Board Members

• Advocate for the mission and vision of Soleil Academy

• Capitalize on personal/professional networks for the financial/political/organizational benefit of the school

• Use specific expertise for the benefit of the school

• Support the decisions taken by the board as a whole

• Commit 2-5 hours monthly to charter-related work, including meetings, phone calls, emails, and reading the materials before each board meeting to actively participate in discussions

• Represent the Charter School at interviews conducted by the authorizing agency, if needed

• Participate in two half-day board retreats per year, led by the Board Chair and Executive Director

• Attend all board meetings; serve for a minimum of three years and extend up to 2 terms (totaling 6 years)

• Attend one core school event per year

• Disclose any potential conflicts of interest 

Qualifications of Founding Board Members

• Belief in charter schools and in the mission of Soleil Academy

• Belief that all children can achieve the highest levels of academic excellence 

• Availability to participate in meetings in-person on site

• Expertise in law, real estate, financial management, governance, marketing, fundraising, advocacy, community organizing /outreach, education, or strategic planning

• Personal experience with entrepreneurship and/or working on diverse teams

• Willingness to use personal and professional networks on behalf of the school

• Commitment to improving the quality of education for children in Lynwood

Board Member Agreement

I, ______________________________________________________, understand that as a member of the Board of Directors I have a legal and moral responsibility to ensure that the organization does the best work possible in pursuit of its goals. I believe in the purpose and the mission of the organization, and I will act responsibly and prudently as its steward.

I have read and understand the Board Member Job Description that governs my work on the board. I will perform my duty as a board member by fulfilling my responsibilities as an individual Director as specified in the Board Member Job Description and by partnering with other Directors to fulfill the responsibilities of the collective board. 

If I do not fulfill these commitments to the organization, I will expect the Board Chair to call me and discuss my responsibilities with me. After discussion, if I still feel unable to fulfill these expectations I will resign from the board.

In turn, the organization will be responsible to me in several ways:

1. I will be sent monthly financial reports and an update of organizational activities that allow me to meet the “prudent person” responsibilities as a board member.

2. The organization will help me perform my duties by keeping me informed about issues in education reform locally and nationally, and by offering me opportunities for professional development as a board member.

3. Board members and the Executive Director will respond in a straightforward fashion to questions I have that are necessary to carry out my board and committee-related responsibilities to the school.

4. Board members and the Executive Director will work in good faith with me toward achievement of our goals.

5. If the organization does not fulfill its commitments to me, I can call on the Board Chair and Executive Director to discuss these responsibilities.

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