Board of Trustees

List of 9 frequently asked questions.

• What does the board of trustees do?

  The board of trustees is responsible for four general areas relating to the school:
  
  

  • Mission
  • Resources
  • Strategy
  • Head of School

  
  Mission
  

  The board is responsible for and serves as the steward of the school’s mission.

  
  Resources
  The board serves as the ultimate steward of the school’s resources (people, facilities, finances), for now and for the future.

  
  Strategy
  The board, in conjunction with the head of school, sets the strategic direction of the school. This is done through a strategic planning process and through other decision making on a more frequent basis.

  
  Head of School
  The board hires, supports, and evaluates the head of school.
  
  

  Together, the members of the board and the head of school share decision-making regarding financial policies, enrollment and size of school, and facilities needs. To that end, the board of trustees must vote on a number of key decisions every year, including—but not limited to—the budget, school tuition, and teacher salary increases.
  
  

  Note that individual trustees do not have any authority; authority for decision making rests with the board as a whole.

• What does the board NOT do?

  The board of trustees does not involve itself in the following matters:
  
  

  • Hiring decisions (teachers, staff, and administration) or staffing matters, other than the hiring and evaluation of the head of school
  • Program-related (curriculum) matters
  • Other operational matters
  • Admissions decisions.
  • Tuition assistance decisions

• How does the board conduct its business?

  The board typically meets monthly. The head of school often invites members of his senior administrative leadership team to the meetings, depending on the matters to be discussed. To encourage candor, all discussions in board meetings are strictly confidential.

• Why are board matters confidential?

  Because of the sensitivity of the issues discussed, and to encourage candid discussion, all board deliberations are maintained in confidence. This allows board members, the head of school, and the senior administrative team members to participate at the meetings in an open—yet safe—manner, and to address sensitive issues that may not be—or may not yet be—appropriate to share beyond the board meeting. Each trustee regularly affirms her/his commitment to treat all matters discussed in the strictest confidence.

• How many people are on the board?

  Our bylaws state that the board of trustees can have between 15 and 25 members. As of July 2021, we have 20 trustees.

   

• How are board members selected?

  The Committee on Trustees is responsible for identifying potential new board members. Potential trustees are identified based upon criteria that include prior involvement in the school community and skillsets that they can bring to the board. The committee looks for new trustees whose skills and experience match the needs of the board. This can include legal and financial expertise, demonstrated philanthropic giving and capacity, ties to the broader Jewish community in the Bay Area, educational expertise, alumni connections with the school, and current parents and grandparents who have been very involved with the school. The Committee on Trustees nominates a slate of potential members to the entire board in the late spring, and the board votes on whether or not to approve this slate. Typically, new trustees are announced at the end of the school year.

• How long is the typical term of a trustee?

  Trustee terms are two years in length, and trustees typically serve three consecutive terms (for a total of six years).

• What committees does the board have and how are committee members selected?

  The board has several committees, some of which are permanent, standing committees and some of which are ad hoc, convened to meet specific needs of the school at a specific time. Some committees—as per the school's bylaws—comprised of trustees only. Many committees have trustee and non-trustee members. Here is a list of our current committees for the 2021-22 school year:
  

   

  Committee Name	Chair	Non-Trustee Members?
  Advancement	Tahlia Bliss	Yes
  Audit & Risk Management	David Samson	Yes
  Budget and Finance	Ed Schaffer	Yes
  Committee on Trustees	Michelle Kletter	No
  Diversity, Equity and Inclusion	Ellen Ginsberg	No
  Executive	Dr. Jonathan Terdiman, Board Chair	No
  Enrollment Management	Paul Ginocchio	Yes
  Head Evaluation and Support	Dr. Jonathan Terdiman, Board Chair	No
  Head’s Contract Renewal	David Samson	Yes

  Investment

  Alex Gleser

  Yes

  
  
  

   

• How can I join a committee?

  If you have a specific skillset or interest that you feel would enhance the work of the board, please contact the chair of the Committee on Trustees.