Governance Resources
Board Resources for Maryland Charter Schools
This is a MAPCS curated page, developed specifically for Maryland Public Charter Schools operators and Board of Directors.
Attention MAPCS MMP CSP Grant Recipients
MAPCS MMP CSP grant recipients are required to have their Board Officers review the eight on-demand Governance Training webinars within the first year of the grant. Please reach out to csp@mdcharters.org if you have questions regarding this requirement. This system can also be used by those schools that want reporting back from MAPCS on who in their organization accessed the governance resources, for instance, if the organization has asked its board members to review a particular learning segment.
You’re on a Public Charter School Board - Now What?
Webinar
This webinar will provide a framework and strategies for governing effectively, and help board members understand the responsibilities, transparency and stewardship required to operate public schools.
Whether you're brand new, or need a refresher, we'll help board members understand how to govern with a focus on student outcomes, equity, and accountability to all stakeholders.
Resouces
New Board Member Orientation Plan
This document walks you through a new board member orientation session. If you need samples of some of the materials listed, please reach out to MAPCS.
Strategic Board Governance
WEBINAR
It is one of the most challenging areas of school governance: the balance between oversight and management. When you are doing the work of a board member alongside a school leader, things can quickly become muddled and confusing. What may have once been clear is now uncertainty around “Is the board supposed to be doing this?” or “What’s the school leader’s role in this?” In this session, we will understand how board members navigate the balance between governance and management; identify and outline key steps to establish clear lanes for governance and management; and reflect on and articulate next steps for applying these lessons to your board.
Resources
EBP Governance and Management High-Level Framework memo
EBP Introduction to Governance and Management memo
Strategic Goal Setting
Webinar
Every school needs to set annual goals that drive the work of the board and the school leader. In this session, we will understand how to use a framework for structuring the goal-setting process; discuss a timeline for implementing this process for your board; and identify and outline key steps in establishing strategic goals.
Resources
Accountability and Impact
Webinar
During this session, we will define board level academic dashboards, outline the steps boards and school leaders can take to build an effective dashboard, and explain how to use the dashboards to inform board decisions. These tools are meant to jumpstart a conversation between the school leadership, board, and other school stakeholders— including data managers or principals—about what data the board needs to effectively determine whether the school is on track to achieve its academic goals. Because building dashboards should be a collaborative effort, we recommend reviewing these tools as a team.
Resources
EBP Board Level Academic Dashboards - Step One
EBP EBP Board Level Academic Dashboards - Step Two
Level Academic Dashboards - Step Three
EBP Introduction to Board Level Academic Dashboards
School Leader Evaluations
Webinar
One of the most important responsibilities of the board of a public charter school board is to evaluate the school leader. This evaluation is the board’s most powerful opportunity to exercise effective oversight and hold the school accountable for academic, financial, and operational success. This process is not easy. Boards often struggle to conduct a professional, thorough and comprehensive evaluation that provides a clear and accurate picture of how well the leader is performing in their job. This session (evaluation process, tools, resources, goal setting and action steps) and toolkit are designed to help.
Resources
Governing with Equity
Webinar
Education, long praised as the great equalizer, is in no way immune to the negative impacts of oppression. Finding ways and creating spaces to encourage leaders in public education to engage in dialogue around race, power, and equity is an essential part of improving educational opportunities for all students, especially those traditionally and still underserved by public schools. Charter school boards have the power to deepen organization-wide commitment to equity. The Education Board Partners Equity-Centered Governance Toolkit is a resource for boards who want to explore and implement equity-centered governance.
Resources
DEI Toolkit - Part 1
DEI Toolkit - Part 2
Framework for Inclusive Governance
Racial Justice Impact Assessment
Recruiting Rock Star Board Members
Webinar
A strong board begins with the right board member composition. Boards need the right mix of people who bring the skills, perspectives, experiences, and networks the board needs to achieve its goals. Effective boards build a deliberate and strategic recruiting process to maintain a balanced board composition. We are providing some steps to help you get started based on our work with boards across the country.
Resources
EBP Onboarding New Board Members
EBP Recruiting for Diversity
EBP Selecting New Board Members - Tips and Strategies
EBP Steps of an Effective Recruiting Process
Building Strong Board Committees
Webinar
Board committees can be a practical way to structure and manage the board’s work. Sometimes a smaller group can be more focused and efficient in dealing with issues than the full board. A committee is created to provide counseling and advice for the board or to handle a task on the board’s agenda. Any recommendations made by a committee should be approved by the board. With that said, remember, the board is not obligated to go with committee suggestions. Committees are more effective when their charter and scope of work is clearly defined by the board.
Resources
EBP Agenda & Packets for Board Meetings Tool
Committee Charges:
Job Descriptions:
MAPCS RENEWAL PAGE
MAPCS, in partnership with EdOps has developed Charter School Renewal Resources that cover pre-planning steps and telling your data story to help you prepare your board and school leadership team for renewal success.
Help make this webpage and its resources even better for charter leaders by emailing us suggestions.