Family & Community Alternative Learning
Charter Schools Best Practices

Sturgis Charter Public School

Best Practices in School Governance

Topics:	Board oversight and governance practices Budgeting and long range fiscal planning strategies Fiscal policies and procedures
Mission:	Sturgis Charter Public School is an independent public high school offering Cape Cod students an intellectually rigorous education in the tradition of the liberal arts and sciences, a course of study aimed at independence of thought and generosity of spirit. To foster international awareness and understanding and ensure world-class standards of academic achievement, Sturgis will maintain for membership in the International Baccalaureate Organization. To motivate its students to achieve at high levels, Sturgis will draw on Barnstable’s marine environment and maritime heritage to develop the esprit de corps and individual curiosity, character and courage needed to succeed. To be located in downtown Hyannis, within a short walk of athletic fields and the waterfront, Sturgis will serve a co-ed population of 350--400 students beginning with 150 freshmen in September 1998 and adding a grade each year. Sturgis Charter Public School exists to: • Prepare students to meet world class standards of academic achievement at the secondary level. • Enable teachers to contribute to the best practices of their profession • Support parents in raising their children to become responsible adults. • Engage the community in thoughtful discussion of the goals and methods of public education.
Goals:	1. To enhance the knowledge and understanding of effective board governance practices for charter school board members and school leaders.
Summary:	Board Governance Workshops. The board of trustees of Sturgis Charter Public School has been recognized for their effective governance and oversight of the school. The school identified their model and practices as a best practice that could be shared with charter and district public schools alike. In particular, the school board identified their governance structure, identified roles and responsibilities toward the school leader, and accountability systems as best practices as effective practices. In collaboration with the Charter Public Schools Association, the schools developed the three workshops as part of a federal dissemination grant proposal that was funded for the 2006-07 and 2007-08 school years. More than 250 board members and school leaders attended workshops on Building an Effective Governance Structure; Board Roles and Responsibilities toward the School Leader; and Systems That Work – How Boards Ensure Accountability. Nine of the workshops were open enrollment. The remaining workshops were given in response to the requests of the Barnstable Public Schools, Pioneer Charter School of Science, and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Partner(s):
Dates:	01/01/2005 01/01/2006
Contact:	Eric Hieser, Executive Director (ehieser@sturgischarterschool.org/508.778.1782)
Resources:	Workshop Session Materials, all available online at www.masscharterschools.org/training/cbpractices.html
Federal Charter Schools Program Funds?	Yes

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