BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Board Responsibilities
The Board of Directors of the American School has the following responsibilities:
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to determine the purpose and goals of the School;
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to develop and implement long term strategic plans;
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to establish policies for the effective governance and administration of the School;
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to contract the School General Director;
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to ensure the financial autonomy and solvency of the School and maintain its asset base.
Strategic Plan
In carrying out its goal to ensure systematic change and improvement, the Board is responsible for developing and implementing strategic five-year plans. The plan is updated and reviewed regularly by the Board with the General Director.
Board Authority
Authority rests in the Board as a whole. The Board in properly constituted meetings makes decisions on issues affecting the school and community.
Appointment of Board Members
The Executive Committee of the Foundation of the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala appoints the members of the Board of Directors of the School to serve for a one-year term. They may be re-appointed.
Board Organization
The Board of Directors consists of six to nine members, plus two substitutes; the School’s General Director and the Executive Secretary of the Foundation are ex-oficio members. Each new Board term begins in August.
Board Committees
The Board carries out many of its functions through committees.
Standing Committees
Standing Committees have a continuing duty to review and deal with issues that the Board faces yearly.
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The Policy Committee is responsible for reviewing the Policy Manual and updating it by presenting suggestions to the Board for approval.
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The Finance Committee oversees the financial condition and well-being of the School. The Board Treasurer is the Finance Committee chair.
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The Administrative and Services Committee oversees the maintenance of facilities and new constructions, and the performance of the transportation and food services delegated to the School by the Foundation.
Ad Hoc Committees
Ad Hoc Committees are formed to deal with specific issues as they arise, such as Kindergarten admissions, General Director search, PBA admissions, Educational topics, Fundraising. Once the focal issue is studied and recommendations are made to the Board, the Committee is disbanded.
Board Policy Manual
The School maintains an updated Policy Manual available to parents and staff members upon request.
Development
The Board establishes the School’s policy statements and the Policy Manual is reviewed regularly. When requested by the Board or when need arises, the Director proposes clearly defined policy statements for review and approval by the Board.
Channels of Communication – Board of and Administration
CAG believes that most issues are best resolved at their closest point of origin, therefore, communication should flow from: Student/parent to teacher to homeroom teacher to Principal/Coordinator to Director. Written communications may be sent to the Board of Directors via the Director, after communication has been made through prescribed channels.