About Our Charter

starting and running a charter school

About Our Charter

 

Yu Ming Charter School was approved as a county-wide charter school by the Alameda County Board of Education on November 9,2010. Find out about our charter and our school governance.

 

The Charter Process

To operate within the State of California, our charter must be authorized by a sponsoring school district. Yu Ming Charter School is a “county-wide benefit” charter authorized by the Alameda County Board of Education, who unanimously voted to approve our charter on November 9th, 2010.  Our charter petition is the guiding document that defines Yu Ming’s mission, goals and approach.

A Memorandum of Understanding with ACOE outlines our agreement about our charter school operations, monitoring and oversight.

 

Governance

Yu Ming Charter School is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization incorporated in the State of California, and governed by a volunteer Board of Directors as established in its bylaws.  The bylaws are guided and defined based on our charter.

The role of the Board of Directors is the overall governance of the school, including setting significant policies or the overall direction and goals of the school.   Day-to-day management towards achieving the goals set by the board is the responsibility of the school principal. [1]  Where possible the Board focuses on establishing what ultimate outcomes will be achieved by the school, while the principal, staff and/or committees focus on how to achieve those outcomes.

The Board’s primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Define or refine, consistent with the school’s charter, the school’s mission, values and vision.
  • Set strategic direction and goals.
  • Select and support the charter school administrator, and review his/her performance.
  • Adopt policies to ensure that the school is run effectively, legally, and ethically.
  • Approve and monitor the operational budget and finances for long-term viability.
  • See that adequate funds are secured for the operating and capital needs of the school.
  • Monitor academic achievement.

The number of directors shall be no less than five (5) and no more than eight (8) unless changed by amendments to the bylaws and to the school’s charter. One Board seat is reserved for a representative of the Alameda County Office of Education, the charter authorizer. All directors shall be designated by the existing Board of Directors.

Except for the initial Board of Directors, each director shall hold office unless otherwise removed from office in accordance with the bylaws for two (2) years and until a successor director has been designated and qualified.

 

Membership Process for Board of Directors of Yu Ming Charter School

Members of the Board of Directors are determined as established in our bylaws. This process includes:

  1. Board development/nominating committee is appointed by Chairman of Board of Directors at least thirty (30) days before the date of any election of directors.
  2. Board development committee develops criteria for new board members; posts vacancies, qualifications and selection process and timing; and identifies potential candidates.
  3. Board development committee members hold an interest meeting with interested candidates.
  4. Board development committee nominates one or more candidates to the Board, at least seven (7) days before the date of the election.
  5. Nominated candidates are interviewed by 2-3 Board members, and key staff.
  6. Vote by a quorum of the Board of Directors at a regularly scheduled board meeting.

The size, membership and process for selecting board members may evolve as the school becomes established and grows.

 

Decision-making Process at Yu Ming Charter School

The Yu Ming Charter School Board of Directors has ultimate authority and accountability for school results and outcomes, including the general roles and responsibilities described above.

The Board establishes organization-wide policies that provide a framework for future decisions, directions and actions of the board.

The Board strives to achieve decisions through consensus.  If consensus cannot be reached, a quorum of the board will vote on a motion that has been seconded.

The Board conducts its business through regularly scheduled meetings, whose schedule and agendas are available on the school’s website as in compliance with the Brown Act.

The Board delegates day-to-day management to the school principal, who makes decisions about school programs and operations based on the parameters and policies established by the school’s Charter and the Board of Directors.

Working with the Principal, the Board establishes the structures, systems and processes to delegate decisions that are not related to governance, including but not limited to committees, staffing and parent and volunteer engagement.

 

Governance Documents

[1] Adapted from US Charter Schools Creating an Effective Charter School Governing Board