FAQs: Open Meetings Law

Did you know that New York City charter schools are subject to the requirements of New York State's Open Meetings Law (OML)? The OML is based on a presumption of access that provides the public with the right to know in advance about meetings of public bodies and then to…

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Sample Board Minutes

Meeting minutes are a formal recording of transactions that happened at a particular time and place. Minutes are a record of what was done at the meeting, not what was said by members. What should good minutes look like? Download these sample board meeting minutes to find out what are…

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Board Assessment Tool

This assessment matrix aids in the assessment of a Charter School Board's effectiveness.  Leadership Roles, Board Composition, Meetings and Committees are graded in three levels: Strong, Satisfactory and Weak.

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Board Positions

Understanding the roles and responsibilities of board members is an important step in effective governance. These resources will help clarify what the board chair and other board members' roles are, and the characteristics to look for in candidates for particular positions. The Board Chairperson is one of the most important…

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Charter Management Organization Guide

Of all the decisions made by new Charter Schools, few are more important than deciding whether to contract for school management services. Choosing well requires balancing multiple considerations of finance, accountability, personnel, and public relations. This guidebook from the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools provides evenhanded, user-friendly advice for…

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Operations Brief: Frequently Asked Questions about the New York State Freedom of Information Law (FOIL)

All New York charter schools are subject to the requirements of New York State's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). FOIL is a New York State law that provides the public an avenue to access certain records of public agencies, and it explicitly applies to charters under the Charter Schools Act of 1998.…

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