Governance

Board of Trustees

Lowell School, Inc. is a non-profit educational institution organized under the laws of the District of Columbia. The school is governed by a Board of Trustees, which is responsible for determining the mission and strategic plan of the school, establishing overall policy, and assuring financial stability. Through its selection of a Head of School to serve as Lowell's chief executive officer, the Board also ensures implementation of the policies it has adopted.

This year's Board consists of 19 active members who serve staggered one, two or three year terms. Typical of independent schools, Lowell's Board of Trustees is self-perpetuating, electing new members at the end of each school year from nominees put forth by the Committee on Trustees. Members include the Head of School and the President of the Parents Association, who are ex officio voting members, serving with full voting rights for the period each holds his or her position. The Board also includes, as non-voting, ex officio members, a faculty representative and a General Counsel.

Lowell's current Board of Trustees consists primarily of Lowell parents and also includes representation of the Lowell faculty and administration, non-parent and alumni parent members. More significantly, the membership consists of individuals who are administrators, educators, fundraisers, money-managers, lawyers, planners, builders, and problem solvers. The Board strives for diversity in the backgrounds and skills of Trustees. All members share a common institutional commitment and fiduciary responsibility to maintain the character, philosophy, and fiscal health of Lowell School.

The Board works through standing committees: Buildings and Grounds/Master Planning, Development, Head Support and Review, Diversity, Finance, Personnel Policies, Trustees. The Board authorizes special task forces to study specific issues as they arise. From time to time, parents, staff, and others who are not Trustees serve on Board committees.

The Board holds eight regular meetings during the school year, and an annual meeting at the close of the school year attended by newly elected Board members. Actions of the Board are reported regularly to the community through letters from the Chair of the Board. Board meetings generally are scheduled from 7:00-9:30 pm on the third Thursday of the month.