Board Election Process: In September of each year, the Mountain Sage Board of Directors determines the number of open board seats for which candidates will be sought. The school community will receive communication regarding the number of seats and information regarding how individuals can participate in the candidacy and the election process. Interested candidates will need to review and complete all requirements by February 1 to have their name included on the official ballot. All eligible voters will participate in an online election to be held in the spring. Candidates and community members will be notified of results at the closing of the election period. Candidates successfully elected to a board seat will commence their term in May.
Candidate Requirements
Becoming a board member at Mountain Sage provides an exciting opportunity to contribute to the school through participation in its governance. The board welcomes interested community members who have a desire to join the board to review the following requirements and responsibilities. To be eligible for inclusion on the ballot, candidates need to complete the meeting requirement before April 1st and all other requirements by February 1st . In addition to the listed requirements, candidates will need to attend the annual Town Hall meeting held in February and be prepared, if elected, to begin their term in May.
- Register as a volunteer and successfully complete background check
- Submit letter of intent (why you’re interested & resume) to the Board of Directors at board@mountainsage.org
- Review board member responsibilities
- Review election process
- Attend at least one board meeting prior to February 1st (may begin attending at any time)
- Attend all three meetings by April 1st
Member Responsibilities
- Attend board meetings. This consists of one 3 hour business meeting held monthly and a separate 2-3 hour work session held monthly (as needed). Refer to the MSCS online calendar for meeting dates. Each meeting will require pre-work including preparing agenda topics, reviewing prepared materials from others and providing feedback.
- Sharing in monthly Board tasks on a rotating basis. Tasks include: presenting on an educational topic of your choosing, attending the parent circle and faculty meetings, setting out signage prior to the start of Board meetings and setting up the room.
- Attend board retreats. Two board retreats are held each year, one at the end of the school’s academic year and one prior to the start of the school year . These are full day events. Refer to the online calendar for dates.
- Serve on a committee. Each board member serves on a sub committee of the board such as finance or facilities. You can expect to spend 2-5 hours per month on committee work outside of regular board meetings.
- Familiarize yourself with key school documents. These include the school’s mission and vision, and the MSCS charter, school policies, board policies, Articles of Incorporation, and Bylaws.
- Continuing education. Each board member must complete the CDE Online Board Modules (directions) within 6 months of their start date on the board. In addition, board members commit to continuing education by joining the Colorado League of Charter Schools and Colorado Department of Education Charter School email lists, notifications from charter board and charter conference attendance. Board members need to also review the Consensus Agreement and the Summary of the Colorado Open Meeting Laws and Open Records Act.
- Term commitment. Each board member commits to a 3 year term upon joining the board.
- Board members may miss no more than 3 meetings per year.