Does the board have too much power?
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Anonymous
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I understand how governance works in for-profit and religious schools, where responsibility for running the institution is clearly defined. But in non-profit schools, the structure is more puzzling. Parents contribute a large share of the budget through tuition—often 70 to 80 percent—while board members typically donate more individually but collectively cover only about 1 to 2 percent of the budget. Yet, they seem to wield a disproportionate influence over school decisions, despite not owning any shares or having a financial stake in the institution.
I understand that the board handles administrative matters such as hiring or dismissing the Head of School, but it sometimes also decides on major issues like campus expansions or the use of endowment funds—choices that may benefit some parts of the community but not all. Shouldn’t the board act with more humility and consult the broader community before making such decisions, perhaps even through voting? In my view, most non-profit schools should operate more like cooperatives, given that parents collectively fund them and board members do not hold any ownership. What do you think? Do you believe the board uses its decision-making power fairly? |
Anonymous
| You clearly have no experience with organizational leadership. |
Anonymous
| If you want a democratically run school, choose public. |
Anonymous
| Do you have any examples of this cooperative model? |
Anonymous
| What decisions? |
Anonymous
| Nonprofit boards by statute have a lot of power |
Anonymous
I attend school board meetings and that’s precisely why I posted my comment. |
Anonymous
For instance adding new building or sport families or the specific use of the endowment money. |
Anonymous
Do you understand the laws associated with nonprofits? Each state has its own nonprofit code that sets forth powers and responsibilities and then case law. There is no collective. |
Anonymous
Which school? Ours doesn’t have open meetings. |
Anonymous
I didn’t say it was open to everyone, I was invited. |
Anonymous
Why would you be invited? |
Anonymous
But you could base your decisions on the inputs from parents, right? No law prevents that. |
Anonymous
For the topic discussed. If you have attended board meetings you would know. |
Anonymous
| How does your coop model work at a large school? |