Keys School is one of only 1,500 non-profit independent schools nationwide. As a school affiliated with the National Association of Independent Schools, Keys School meets specific criteria. The school has a unique mission, is non-profit, applies a non-discriminatory policy, and is accredited by a state independent school organization, the California Association of Independent Schools. Additionally, an independent board of trustees governs the school.
Keys School's Board of Trustees is guided by the "Principles of Good Practice" established by the National Association of Independent Schools. The governance practices and bylaws of the Keys School Board of Trustees mirror the following NAIS principles.
- The Board adopts a clear statement of the school's mission, vision, and strategic goals and establishes policies and plans consistent with this statement.
- The Board reviews and maintains appropriate bylaws that conform to legal requirements, including duties of loyalty, obedience, and care.
- The Board accepts accountability for both the financial stability and the financial future of the institution, engaging in strategic financial planning, assuming primary responsibility for the preservation of capital assets and endowments, overseeing operating budgets, and participating actively in fund raising.
- The Board assures that the school and the Board operate in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, minimizing exposure to legal action.
- The Board recognizes that its primary work and focus are long-range and strategic.
- The Board undertakes formal strategic planning on a periodic basis, sets annual goals related to the plan, and conducts annual written evaluations for the school, the head of school, and the Board itself.
- The Board selects, supports, nurtures, evaluates, and sets appropriate compensation for the Head of School.
- The Board engages proactively with the Head of School in cultivating and maintaining good relations with school constituents as well as the broader community and exhibits best practices relevant to equity and justice.
- The Board composition reflects the strategic expertise, resources, and perspectives needed to achieve the mission and strategic objectives of the school.
- The Board is committed to a program of professional development that includes annual new-trustee orientation, ongoing trustee education and evaluation, and Board-leadership succession planning.
- The Board keeps full and accurate records of its meetings, committees, and policies and communicates its decisions widely, while keeping its deliberations confidential.
- The Board works to ensure all its members are actively involved in the work of the Board and its committees.
The Keys School Board of Trustees meets regularly during the school year. Notes from the meetings are posted on the KeysNet portion of the Keys website and by the front office bulletin board. The Board also communicates with the school community through columns in the Wednesday Letter, Keys Newsletter, and presentations at KSA meetings. On occasion the Board of Trustees holds informational meetings to discuss strategic issues.
The Board has standing committees that meet to work toward achievement of annual Board goals and the school's strategic plan. Standing committees include Executive, Finance, Facilities Planning, Development, and Trustee. On occasion the Board may establish an ad hoc committee to address a particular topic.
Keys School Board of Trustees 2007-08
Barbara Rosston, Chair
Eli Abbe, Vice Chair
Phil Capin, Vice Chair for Site
Heidi Hopper, Vice Chair for Development
Lee Dorsey, Secretary
Evan Brooks, Treasurer
Sharon Habeck , KSA Chair
John Bara
Doug Calderon
Melanie Erasmus
Richard Fahey
Christine Hao
Richard Hof
Tim Laehy
Steve Mackay
Daniel Mendez
Jon Ninnemann
Kimberly Pesavento
Maurisa Sommerfield
Andreas Stavropoulos
Vanetta Varma
Sheela Veerina
Suzanne Zebedee
