What Does It Mean to Be a Trustee?

Woodstock Day School (“WDS”) is governed by a self-perpetuating Board of Trustees (“Board”) which follows the protocols and guidance of the National Associations of Independent Schools. The Board holds the mission of WDS in trust. It is charged with hiring the leader of the school and ensuring the school’s ongoing fiscal health and well-being to ensure that the school fulfills its mission. Alongside the administration, the Board sets and monitors the strategic direction of the school.

All newly elected board members shall serve for a term of three years starting on July 1st following their election at the June Board meeting. Board members who are elected before their term starts shall be considered Trustees immediately following their election and shall be re-confirmed prior to July 1st. Trustees may be re-elected following each three year term not to exceed three successive three year terms. Former trustees may request re-nomination to the Board following a period of three years off the Board.

The Board meets for approximately three hours every two months as a full Board. Board members spend an additional three to ten hours per month on committee-level work.

All Trustees shall at all times act with decorum, honesty, integrity, and in accordance with the highest ethical standards. A relationship with Woodstock Day School shall not be used in any way that will inure to the personal benefit of any Trustee. Trustees who are also parents at the school must take great care to separate their role as a Trustee from their role as a parent and member of the community. In a small, close-knit community the importance of the confidentiality of Board proceedings cannot be overstated. Board members must take care to never speak on behalf of the Board without the express consent of a vote of the Board. Individual board members have no power or authority, the Board only has authority as a group.

Board members are expected to make WDS a priority in their financial giving. Board members are expected to donate to the school’s Annual Fund and other fundraising initiatives to the best of their ability.

Click here to view the Woodstock Day School’s current bylaws.

Becoming a Trustee

Every year, the Board seeks to add new Trustees. The Board’s Trustee Committee puts forward candidates for Board consideration. Trustees represent a broad range of expertise, from education and marketing to finance and law, and can be current or former parents, alumni of the school, or members of the broader community. If you are interested in learning more about Trusteeship at WDS, please complete this short form to share your interest with the Trustee and Governance Committee.