Bylaw X

Head of School

1.       The head of school is the chief executive officer of the school, responsible to the board. The role description of the head of school is specified in policy 1.10. The relationship between members of the board and the head of school involves the distinction between policy and administration. The legislation of bylaws and policies is the most important function of a school board and the execution of the bylaws and the policies are the responsibility of the head of school. Delegation by the board of its executive powers to the head of school provides freedom for the head of school to manage the school within the board’s bylaws and policies and frees the board to devote its time to policy-making and appraisal of results. The board holds the head of school accountable for the administration of its policies and the execution of board decisions. The head of school shall bring to the attention of the board:

• any matter referred to the head of school that cannot be resolved administratively;

• any administrative decision which the head of school believes should receive prior approval of the board; and

• any other administrative decision which the head of school feels should be brought to the attention of the board.

2.       The head of school shall be delegated the general management responsibilities for the school by the board. The board shall maintain general oversight over these activities.

3.       Within the policy guidelines established by the board, the head shall develop institutional programs, provide administrative and educational leadership, employ and discharge personnel, enrol and dismiss students, prepare the annual budget, and shall have the responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the school.

4.       In cases when action must be taken and the board has provided no guidance in these bylaws or a policy for such action, the head of school shall have the power to act. On important items the head of school shall consult with the chair or vice chair if at all possible. Decisions, however, shall be subject to review by the board at its next meeting. It shall be the duty of the head of school to inform the board promptly of such action and of the need for policy.

5.       The head shall work in close conjunction with the board and guide it in preparation of agendas in its meetings and the long range development of the school.

6.       The board is responsible for the selection and appointment of the head of school as guided by the articles of association (Article VII.1.) and the school’s mission. Under the direction of the chair, the board will form a search committee with a view to determining the criteria and process for the head of school search. The board search committee shall be composed of four members and shall be headed by an officer of the board other than the board chair. The search committee, upon completion of the process, will recommend a final candidate to the full board which will have responsibility for the appointment of the new head.

(a)     The search committee will have the following responsibilities:

• determine the criteria and preferred qualifications;

• select a search consultant who will assist the school in the identification and screening of candidates and the required profile of experience and qualifications;

• establish advisory groups within the school consisting of administrators, faculty/staff, students, and parents. The role of the groups shall be advisory in nature and to provide input to the board which shall, however, not be binding;

•  review the dossiers of appropriate candidates for possible school visits and share appropriate information with the advisory groups;

•  determine the schedule of visits of finalists, normally three or four candidates to be interviewed, each over a period of two to three days.

(b)     The search committee will solicit written input from the advisory groups and the board shall meet with finalist candidates at least twice during their school visits.

(c)     In the process of selecting candidates for visits to the school, the search committee shall conduct appropriate and thorough reference checks before the candidate is invited, which should include contact with the board chair of the school where the finalist is employed. Upon receipt of all pertinent information, the search committee will make its recommendation(s) to the full board. The main parameters of the conditions of employment shall be made known to finalists prior to their scheduled visit. Compensation shall be set by the officers of the board. The board will make the final decision and the board chair and treasurer will issue the employment contract for the new head.

7.     In the event of a permanent vacancy in the office of the head of school, the board shall elect a replacement from among candidates submitted for consideration by a special search committee appointed by the board. An affirmative vote shall be taken by the board in accordance with Bylaw VII.4. The employment contract for the head and all renewal contracts shall be reviewed and approved by the board officers.

8.       The head of school’s evaluation by the board shall be conducted under the following principles and procedures:

(a)     The objective of the head’s evaluation by the board is to assure mutually constructive relationships between the head and the board, and in particular between the head and the chair. The evaluation is a constructive process with a view to providing the head with feedback on performance against stated objectives and goals in the context of the full range of duties in the school’s community.

(b)     The head and chair will agree on the instrument of evaluation which shall include input from board members, faculty, staff, and administrators.

(c)     The head will provide annually, by 1 May, a self-evaluation to the board chair.

(d)     The head and chair will review the board’s evaluation and the head’s self-evaluation.

(e)     The board chair will provide the head with a final written evaluation by 30 June, which will be made available to board members.

9.       The head of school will be informed one year before the employment contract ends of the school’s intention to continue the contract for another year or terminate the contract.