Purpose
The Board of Directors is the elected governing body of Yinghua Academy. The primary responsibilities of the Board are to develop the vision and mission of the school; to select, support and evaluate a chief executive; to ensure effective planning; to set policy that will ensure the school’s ongoing viability; and to oversee the monthly and long-term financial management of the school.

Members
The Board of Directors consists of up to 11 members who are elected by the parents and staff of the school. The Board consists of accomplished people who represent one or more of the following constituencies: Yinghua staff, educator, or administrator; Yinghua parent; community member. Yinghua’s bylaws require that it have at least one person from each of these three groups on the Board at all times. See Board Member bios here.

Committees
All board members must chair or serve on at least one committee. In accordance with school bylaws, committees do not have decision-making authority. Rather, these active working groups conduct research and make recommendations to the School Board at Regular Meetings of the Board.  Committee chairs are encouraged to recruit members from the Yinghua parent and teacher community and from time to time may also recruit from outside the Yinghua community if special skills or expertise are needed.  Committee meetings are open to the public in accordance with the Minnesota Open Meeting Law and as outlined in the Yinghua Academy bylaws. Click here for list and descriptions of current committees.

Meetings
The Board of Directors meets approximately every 3 weeks, at 6 PM, in the school library unless otherwise posted. Meetings are open to the public, and a public comment period is offered at each Regular Meeting of the School Board. Those who wish to make a comment must sign up at the meeting. Regular Meetings of the School Board are listed on the school’s master calendar. In the event of a Special Meeting, 72 hour notice will be posted on the door of the school (required by law) and, if possible, on the website as a courtesy to parents. There is typically no public comment period at a Special Meeting.

Agendas
Prior to a Regular Meeting of the School Board, the meeting agenda will be posted here.

Minutes
The minutes of board meetings are posted here as soon as they have been approved by the Board. Minutes are typically approved at the next meeting.

Elections
Parents, staff, and community members are encouraged to run for seats on the Board of Directors. Each member is elected to a 3 year term, and as such, only a few seats are up for election each year. This provides stability and continuity for the Board. Elections are held annually in June. A call for candidates will be sent home in the spring.

Bylaws
See the current School Board Bylaws Approved 2011 Feb 17.