At the start of each new academic year, each Trustee, both new and returning, signs the following agreement, reaffirming their commitment to their role as a Trustee.
The Trustee Agreement
The Board of Trustees of Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart (herein the “School”) is entrusted with promoting and advancing the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart Schools and the School’s mission. Trustees ensure that the School is well managed, provide for adequate resources, and maintain good relationships with all constituencies. By overseeing and monitoring the strategic plan, the Board works to form the present and future direction of the School.
Election to the School’s Board of Trustees carries with it a responsibility of stewardship. By definition, Trustees are the custodians of the School and hold “in trust” the mission, Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart Schools and the School’s reputation. Trustees are expected to act and make decisions based on the overall interests of the School and are accountable for upholding the mission of the School through the Sacred Heart Commission on Goals (SHCOG) process.
The work of Trustees begins with fiduciary expectations of duty (due diligence on financials), care (executing decisions with the level of care of a “prudent” person) and obedience (to laws and bylaws). Beyond these duties, the work of Trustees concentrates exclusively on policies and strategies that are future-focused. The Board is not involved with the daily operations of the School, which are delegated to the Head of the School.
Trustees are called upon to contribute their time, expertise, and energy, as well as financial resources, to support the viability and growth of the School. All new Trustees should plan to attend at least one trustee education seminar (offered by the Sacred Heart Network or otherwise) within their first two years of service.
All Trustees are asked to execute faithfully the following responsibilities:
Formation to Mission
Beginning with Trustee Orientation, Trustees participate in ongoing education to the heritage and mission of Sacred Heart education as well as to the unique mission of Princeton Academy as a school for boys.
- All trustees are responsible to hold in trust the mission of the School, which includes at its foundation the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart education.
- Trustees participate in ongoing education to the heritage and mission of Sacred Heart education.
- Trustees commit themselves to deepening their understanding of and commitment to the Goals and Criteria by examining the implication of board decisions and polices as well as allocation of resources.
- Trustees commit themselves to a rich understanding of the unique mission of Princeton Academy as a school for boys, including attending talks by the school’s headmaster, division heads, and experts on the subject of boys’ education.
- The Committee on Trustees will assume responsibility to assure this commitment through the selection, orientation and ongoing education of trustees.
Trustees are expected to actively reflect on, dialogue about, and critique the current practice of Sacred Heart education in order to deepen and strengthen the mission to respond to the evolving needs of our unique school community and the world.
Attend Board Meetings
Since scheduled Board meetings are the forum at which all important Board policy and decisions are proposed, discussed and acted upon, it is imperative that Board members attend meetings in order to be informed of Board business and vote knowledgeably on issues brought before the Board. Trustees are expected to come to meetings prepared (having read the minutes of previous meetings and the background materials for the current meeting) and actively participate in discussions by asking pertinent questions. Trustees are also expected to attend special meetings and small discussion groups that may be called to discuss key issues or initiatives. When voting on issues, Trustees should exercise their own judgment.
Participate in Committees and Task Forces
Each trustee is asked to serve on one or more Committees or Task Forces. Much of the work of the Board is done by formal Committees and Task Forces in advance of Board meetings. From the discussions within these Committees and Task Forces, recommendations are made on policy issues that will eventually be decided by the entire Board. Thus, attendance and participation in committee meetings is essential.
The following is a list of current Board Committees and Task Forces:
Board Committees:
- Finance
- Committee on Trustees
- Buildings and Grounds
- Enrollment Management and Marketing
- Development
Task Forces:
- Partnership Committee between Princeton Academy and Stuart Country Day School
Task forces are most often led by Trustees but also include other stakeholders with expertise and influence.
Identify and Recruit Board and Committee Members
Annually the Committee on Trustees reviews the composition of the Board and its Committees. To further the objective of a diverse Board and Committees, when filling open positions the Board considers a wide breadth and depth of potential candidates who represent various constituencies. Trustees are asked to participate in the process of identifying, reviewing and recruiting potential new members.
Oversee the Head of School
The Head of School reports to the Board of Trustees. The Board is responsible for hiring, annually evaluating and, if necessary, terminating the Head of School. Each Trustee is expected to support the Head of School, participate in the annual evaluation process, and support any hiring or termination decisions that may arise.
Contribute Financial Support
The School’s financial security and future growth depend upon contributions from private individuals. Annually, the Board adopts a budget for the School that calls for substantial funds to be raised through the Annual Fund. Also, from time to time capital/endowment campaigns are launched to fund the School’s strategic planning initiatives. Trustees are expected to play a leadership role in the School’s fundraising efforts by contributing to the Annual Fund and to any capital/endowment campaigns at a level that demonstrates commitment commensurate with each Trustee’s personal financial situation.
Act as an Ambassador
All Trustees are responsible for upholding the Goals and Criteria of a Sacred Heart Education and are expected to make their service to the School a high personal priority by exhibiting an abiding interest in the welfare of the School and a strong desire to help widen its basic support. Trustees should become well informed about the School’s history, goals, accomplishments, current operations and challenges, so that they can act as knowledgeable advocates of the School and the Board’s policy decisions. Trustees are expected to be visible advocates of the mission of the School and the Board’s policy decisions. In addition, each Trustee should take every appropriate opportunity to increase the public’s awareness of the School’s contribution to the community.
Uphold Confidentiality
Members of the Board of Trustees are expected to adhere to the highest standards of personal and professional behavior so as to reflect favorably on the School. Trustees agree to respect the confidentiality under which discussions take place during Board and Committee meetings and agree to maintain strict confidentiality concerning all information and knowledge gained from or related to their service on the Board or its Committees. Such information includes, but is not limited to, financial matters (including tuition and salary data), personnel matters, donor information, strategic planning, student and family matters and legal issues. When asked to comment on Board action or direction, Trustees should refer inquiries to the Board Chair, the spokesperson of the Board.
Disclose Conflicts of Interest
Many Trustees and Committee Members of Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart are engaged in a variety of civic and business pursuits, serving numerous organizations in volunteer and professional capacities. The Board of Trustees and the School as a whole benefit substantially from the many perspectives brought to the Board by those working, volunteering, or otherwise making commitments in diverse fields. It is important to ensure that any conflicts of interest, real or perceived, between the best interests of the School and those of the Trustees’ and Committee Members’ other pursuits are disclosed, and any adverse effect minimized as the Board performs its duties and governs the School. In an era of increasing public and governmental scrutiny of not-for-profit organizations, the School wants to eliminate any perception that Trustees and Committee Members have been influenced by their own self-interest, and to ensure instead that they are, and are seen to be, acting strictly for what benefits the School.
Trustees shall annually declare any actual or potential conflicts of interest that might affect or appear to affect his or her position or action in any matter coming before the Board or any committee of the Board.
Participate in School Activities
As active leaders of the School, Trustees are expected to support special events, such as the School’s annual auction fundraising event, graduation and major donor events, by their attendance and participation. In addition, the School appreciates Trustee attendance at athletic, fine arts, and other events.
Respect the Role of the Trustee
Trustees are expected to make service to the School a high priority by participating constructively and consistently in the work of the Board and its Committees. The role of the Board of Trustees is governance and leadership, not management. Although Trustees may receive impassioned appeals from constituents, including those with whom they have personal relationships, an individual trustee does not become involved directly in specific management, personnel, or curricular issues. The trustee takes care to separate the interests of the school from the specific needs of a particular child or constituency. As such, it is inappropriate for Trustees to engage in discussions or act as an “appeals court” with anyone regarding grievances that they may have with the School. Personnel, disciplinary and day-to-day operational matters lie exclusively within the realm of the Head of School. It is the responsibility of each Trustee to redirect any misguided requests, comments and concerns from constituents such as faculty, parents or alumni to the Head of School for consideration. Trustees are expected to respect and support the authority of the Head of School. A trustee accepts and supports board decisions. Once a decision has been made, the board speaks as one voice.