Strong governance starts with clear foundational documents. This section includes the core documents and tools that establish how a school is governed, how decisions are made, and how authority is structured. Schools reviewing or updating their governance structure should begin here, as these documents provide the legal and operational framework for effective board governance.
The Articles of Association are the school’s legal founding document. They establish the school as a legal entity and define the highest level of governance, including the school’s purpose, membership, and the authority of the Board. The Articles change very rarely and typically only when there are significant governance changes.
Use these resources if your school is:
Establishing a new school
Updating or modernizing its legal governance structure
Clarifying membership and voting rights
Revising board authority at the legal level
The Bylaws define how the Board operates and how governance works in practice. They typically include board structure, elections, terms of service, officers, meetings, voting procedures, and committee structure. While the Articles establish the legal foundation of the school, the Bylaws explain how the governance system functions on a day-to-day basis. Bylaws should be reviewed periodically and updated as the school and board governance practices evolve.
Use these resources if your school is:
Updating board structure or term limits
Clarifying election procedures
Defining officer roles and responsibilities
Establishing committee structure
Updating meeting or voting procedures
Modernizing governance practices
The Board Policy Manual defines the board’s role, responsibilities, and governance expectations. While the Bylaws explain how the board is structured and operates, the Policy Manual outlines how the board fulfills its responsibilities, including areas such as ethics, conflict of interest, financial oversight, and the evaluation of the Head of School. Policies should be reviewed regularly and updated as the school grows and governance practices evolve.
Use these resources if your school is:
Developing a board policy manual
Clarifying the role of the board vs. school administration
Establishing governance policies and ethical expectations
Documenting board responsibilities and oversight functions
Updating or modernizing governance policies
Board Policies - Template & Guidance
Board Operating Procedures describe how the board conducts its work in practice. This includes how meetings are structured, how agendas are developed, how decisions are recorded, and how the board communicates and operates as a governance body. Operating procedures help ensure consistency, transparency, and effective board functioning from year to year.
Use these resources if your school is:
Establishing consistent board meeting procedures
Clarifying how agendas and minutes should be prepared
Defining voting and decision-making procedures
Creating a board operating manual
Improving board meeting effectiveness
Board Operating Procedures - Guidance & Template
Board Operating Procedures - Real School Example 1
Use of Materials
These resources are provided for AISA member schools for internal school use and adaptation. If you adapt or share these materials, please acknowledge the AISA Small Schools Resource Hub. Materials may not be sold or publicly redistributed without permission.