Board Committees

CHARTER

• Make recommendations to the board in regard to problems or concerns of the school.
• Act on behalf of the board in between meetings of the board, subject to subsequent ratification by the board.
• Serve as a sounding board and counsel for the head of school.
• Function as a confidant and counsel in the area of personnel issues.
• Appoint the Compensation Committee which is charged with negotiating a contract with the head of school from time to time.
• Appoint a board member to conduct an annual board self assessment and an assessment of the head of school.
• Form ad hoc committees or task forces as needed.
• Ensure that long-range planning is carried out in a timely and appropriate fashion by the board.
• Establish annual goals for the board. Reviews committee performance and progress versus goals, based upon reports to the board.
• Determine agendas for all board meetings.

CHARTER

Mission: The Governance Committee is responsible for assisting the Board of Trustees in support and oversight of determining the composition of the board - identifying, recruiting, and proposing new trustees, facilitating the board self-assessment, planning for leadership succession, and planning for trustee professional development through orientation, training and on-going education, and other matters related to governance.

Vision: The Governance Committee must bring about and sustain a dynamic, productive board, and ensure the school’s leadership will be exemplary now and in the future. Its members should be recognized by the board and school community as individuals who put the best interests of the school ahead of personal and professional concerns or biases.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Review annually the demographics and expertise of the Board, identifying areas of strength and areas for growth, in anticipation of future vacancies.
• Identify a pool of potential candidates to the Board through soliciting input from administrators and current board members.
• Meet with nominees to share expectations for Board members.
• Meet with trustees up for term renewal to share feedback on the trustee’s experience during their term.
• Prepare and present annual slate of new officers and trustees for approval and election to the Board.
• Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of the Board, its officers, and individual trustees, and share a summary of this information with the Board.
• Orient all new trustees regarding Board operations and cultural expectations, as well as school operations, with an emphasis on financial operations. Direct a mentor program for new Board members, with regular follow up throughout the first year of service.
• Educate trustees about professional development events and encourage attendance.
• Assess on-going committee structure and make recommendations on any changes to leadership.
• Ensure compliance with the Bylaws, and recommend Bylaw revisions to the Board when appropriate.

CHARTER

Mission: The Finance and Operations Committee of the Montgomery School Board of Trustees is responsible for assisting the Board of Trustees in support and oversight of financial and internal operational and facilities matters. The Committee will focus on both the short-term and long-term financial and operational health of Montgomery School.

Vision: The Committee, in concert with the School’s staff, will provide financial and operational information and recommendations to the Board of Trustees in order to support the Board in carrying out its responsibilities of upholding the mission of the School and ensuring the financial strength and sustainability of the School

Roles and Responsibilities: The roles and responsibilities of the Finance and Operations Committee are as follows, working in concert with the School’s staff:

• Assure financial soundness of Montgomery School in the short-term and long-term
• Develop long-range financial plans and projections (including five-year projections) and yearly operational budgets, including setting tuition levels, for Board approval
• Monitor implementation and attainment of annual budgets and long-range financial plans
• Adopt and periodically review investment policies and guidelines for the School’s financial assets and oversee the School’s investments
• Periodically review employee benefits plans and programs
• Periodically review the adequacy of the School’s insurance coverages as they relate to finance and risk management
• Review and report to the Board on matters relating to the School’s physical plant and grounds, maintenance schedules and preventative maintenance programs.
• Consider projects and priorities presented by the School administration and other committees to determine whether financial resources can be appropriated for them
• Develop and monitor long-term capital plans
• Review and recommend major capital items regarding buildings and grounds, as well as the replacement of depreciable property
• Advise the School on the selection of architects and general contractors regarding any building projects
• Identify ways to optimally leverage the campus facilities
• Make periodic reports to the Board on the foregoing matters in a timely, user-friendly manner and ensure that the Board has sufficient information to carry out the Board’s responsibilities.

CHARTER

Mission: The School Advancement committee is responsible for assisting the Board of Trustees in support and oversight of: Institutional strategy and objectives. This includes constant attention to the mission and case for support, the resources necessary to carry out the mission, plans for sustaining a strong enrollment and increasing philanthropic support of the school.

Vision: The committee, in carrying out its responsibilities, will provide advancement strategy and support that enables the board to make timely and appropriate decisions related to the school’s strategic vision.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Periodically review policies relating to the development of financial resources for the school whether it be through tuition revenue or philanthropic support.
• Prepare annual goals and as needed proposed policies for approval by the Board of Trustees
• Lead the Board’s role in philanthropic support and enrollment initiatives.
• Actively assist in the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of donors, prospects and potential families.
• Ensure that the Case for Support is strong, current and relevant to the school’s needs and that it is based on the mission and goals of the school.
• Provide guidance and support to administration as needed.

CHARTER

• Monitor the integrity of Montgomery School's financial reporting process and systems of internal controls regarding finance, accounting, and legal compliance
• Monitor the independence and performance of Montgomery School’s independent auditors.
• Provide an avenue of communication among the independent auditors, management, and the Board of Trustees
• Authorize or conduct investigations appropriate to matters within the Committee's scope of responsibilities
• Annually prepare a report to the Board, indicating that the members have reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements with management and with the independent auditors.
• Report significant issues to the Board of Trustees.