Governance Committee

As created and approved by the school board, the purpose of the Governance Committee is to assist the board by:

1. Working to align the governance structure of the board and school division to meet the established strategic goals, and processing recommendations for board action;

2. Updating, reviewing, and recommending to the board any changes to governance principles and practices as necessary and appropriate;

3. Supporting the board's work and self-assessments;

4. Scheduling the board’s establishment of goals and measurements for the superintendent’s annual performance evaluations; and

5. Scheduling and designing appropriate board training and development activities throughout the year.

To accomplish the objectives of good governance and accountability, the Governance Committee has the responsibilities related to school board governance, evaluation of the school board’s policies and practices, and other related issues.

The committee may review, develop, draft, revise, or oversee policies and practices for which the Governance Committee has specific expertise, including but not limited to:

1. Developing and recommending the school board’s governance practices. These practices should address transparency, engagement, independence, accountability, fiduciary responsibilities, and management oversight according to the school board bylaws/handbook or as assigned to the committee by the board;

2. Creation/dissolution of committees related to the school board’s work;

3. Developing and providing recommendations to the school board regarding board members’ continued education and training, to include new member orientation and regularly scheduled board member training to be obtained from State-approved trainers; and

4. Coordinating with the Virginia School Boards’ Association regarding appropriate and necessary policies and reporting to the school board for consideration.

The membership of the committee shall be selected by a majority vote of the school board and should include, at a minimum, the board's chairperson or vice-chairperson as one of its members. The term will be one year, with the ability to continue to a maximum of two consecutive years. Additional service on the committee can be approved by a majority vote of the school board.

The Governance Committee members should be knowledgeable or become knowledgeable in matters pertaining to governance.

The Governance Committee will meet no less than four times each calendar year, with the expectation that additional meetings may be required to adequately fulfill all of the obligations and duties outlined in this charter. All committee members are expected to attend each meeting to the extent permitted by school board policy.

Meeting agendas shall be prepared for every meeting and provided to the committee members and the public in advance of the meeting, along with appropriate materials needed to make informed decisions. The Governance Committee shall act only on the affirmative vote of a majority of the members at a meeting or by unanimous consent. Minutes of the committee meetings shall be recorded.

The Governance Committee shall:

1. Report its actions and recommendations to the school board at the next regular meeting of the board; and

2. Report to the school board, at least annually, regarding any proposed changes to the governance charter or the governance guidelines.

This charter was adopted by the Governance Committee on March 4, 2020, and was approved by the school board on March 10, 2020.