Compass Board Member

About the Role

Compass Charter School welcomes dedicated and mission-aligned individuals to serve on our Board of Trustees. We recruit two types of board members: voting members, who hold full governance authority and fiduciary responsibility, and nonvoting family/parent members, who bring the family perspective to board deliberations. All prospective board members, regardless of type, go through a structured process designed to ensure strong fit, transparency, and compliance with New York State Education Department (NYSED) requirements.

Shared Expectations for All Board Members

• Attend and actively participate in all regularly scheduled board meetings.
• Uphold Compass's mission, values, and commitment to progressive, sustainability-focused education.
• Maintain confidentiality of executive session discussions.
• Disclose any conflicts of interest promptly and recuse when appropriate.
• Complete any required board training.
• Act in the best interest of Compass students and the school community as a whole.

Voting Members

Voting members of the Board of Trustees hold full governance authority and are subject to NYSED approval prior to appointment.

Process for Voting Members

Step 1: Nomination

• Any current member of the Board of Trustees may nominate a prospective voting member.
• Nominations are submitted to the Board Chair for initial review.
• The nominating board member is expected to have sufficient knowledge of the candidate's qualifications and be prepared to speak to their fit for the role.
• After reviewing applications, the Executive Committee identifies and advances candidates for further consideration, seeking to build a board that reflects a diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to strengthen the school's governance and mission.

Step 2: Application

• The prospective member completes an application.
• The application includes a resume, curriculum vitae or summary of relevant professional background, and a personal statement describing their interest in and connection to Compass's mission.
• The Board Chair or designee reviews the completed application for completeness before advancing the candidate.

Step 3: Vetting

• The candidate meets with at least two current board members and the School Leader (Executive Director).
• These conversations are intended to assess alignment with Compass's mission and values, relevant skills and expertise, and commitment to the responsibilities of board service.
• The Board Development Working Group coordinates scheduling and compiles feedback from all vetting conversations.

Step 4: Board Vote

• The Board Development Working Group presents the candidate to the full board.
• The board votes to select the prospective member for a two-year term, pending NYSED approval.
• Per NYSED requirements, the board resolution must incorporate specific voted language as outlined in the NYSED Board of Trustees addition template. The resolution is adopted upon NYSED's approval.

Step 5: NYSED Approval

• Prior to appointment, the board must submit the candidate's information to NYSED for review and approval. This is required for all Regents-authorized charter schools.
• The candidate must complete a Background Information Form, signed Statement of Assurance, and Disclosure of Financial Interest form.
• The candidate must provide a resume and documentation of their highest level of education (diploma and official transcript, or a notarized letter if unavailable).
• The board is responsible for conducting a criminal history record check via fingerprinting and verifying the accuracy of any credentials presented.
• Required materials are submitted through the NYSED Application Business Portal. NYSED will review within 45 business days and issue written approval, a request for additional information, or rejection.
• The board resolution appointing the new member is adopted upon receipt of NYSED approval.

Note: Fingerprint clearance documents should not be uploaded to NYSED directly. See the NYSED fingerprint guidance memo for detailed instructions.