GORDON SCHOOLS OF BETH DAVID CONGREGATION

What exactly does the School Board of the Gordon Schools of Beth David Congregation (the "School Board") do? How are its members chosen, and how do they get their work done?

These and other questions about the purpose and function of the School Board come up often in the course of a school year.  I hope the following will help to answer questions you may have about the School's governance structure and the role the School Board plays in the community.

Role and Responsibilities

At the Gordon Schools the School Board's responsibilities are defined in specific terms in the School Board by-laws.  Simply stated, the School Board is responsible for appointing the Head of Schools, setting policy for the Day School and the Early Childhood Center (the "ECC"; collectively, the "Schools"), managing the Schools’ assets, and securing financial resources (or fundraising).  Naturally, policy is not developed in a vacuum, so the School Board relies on the Head of School to guide it in this process, with the objective of achieving ever-improving performance.

The School Board has primary responsibility over governance functions, including but not limited to, upholding the mission and vision of the Schools, providing management oversight of the general operation of the schools,- pursuant to its established policies- financial oversight, fundraising efforts, and long-term strategic planning.

This process is (and must be) interactive between the School Board and the Head of Schools. Likewise, the School Board delegates the management and administration of the Schools to the Head of Schools.

Selection and Composition

The School Board Rules provide that the School Board shall be composed of a membership that is representative of the School's community.  In particular we strive to have a mix of parents with children in various grades and representation from the School's past leaders.  We also invite our clergy, synagogue leadership, the Congregation's Executive Director and Parent’s Association Chair(s) to attend School Board meetings on a regular basis as official observers representing the School's staff.  [Enclosed is the School Board's our 2009-2010 Member List.]

School Board membership is by nomination from the Nominating Committee of the Board or by petition, in each case subject to election.  While School Board members are not paid for their services, they take great, personal satisfaction in contributing their skills, expertise, and resources to a great educational institution.

What DON'T we do?

The School Board does not intervene in the day-to-day management of the School; we do not evaluate teacher performance nor do we hire or dismiss teachers; we do not interject ourselves into the resolution of specific parents' concerns; and we are not participants in the admissions process.  Each of those responsibilities is an operational responsibility of the Head of Schools.

The School Board is committed with great pride to maintaining and strengthening the distinctive role of the Gordon Schools of Beth David in the Jewish day school community and among the top rated independent schools in South Florida.

We look forward to working with you this year; please feel free to contact us with any questions or comments you may have.

Sincerely,

Ana Freund                                                                Julie Rosenfeld

Chair                                                                           Chair Elect



(Click below for more information)

Welcome Letter

2009-2010 School Board

2009-2010 School Board Committees