FAQs regarding the MATES’ Board of Directors - 2025
Who comprises the MATES’ Board of Directors?
According to the MATES Charter, the Board of Directors will be comprised of no less than 5 and no more than 9 members. We currently have a 7 member Board, consisting of two appointed community members, plus 5 members elected from the school’s general population. Please see the MATES website (www.matescharter.org) under “Who we are” / “MATES Board” to find out more about our current Board members.
How long does each member serve on the Board?
Each person will serve two-year terms.
Why do we have a Board of Directors?
MATES is a charter school, which means we are outside the jurisdiction of the Conejo Valley Unified School District (CVUSD); therefore, we need our own governing body. The Board of Directors fulfills this need.
What does the Board do?
Each member of the Board of Directors shares responsibility to ensure MATES meets its vision and mission. The Board serves an advisory and executive role on a wide range of issues, from staffing and budget decisions to curriculum, instruction, and fundraising, all with the purpose of increasing student academic achievement. Please also see the MATES website under “Who we are” / “Meet the Board” / “Board Nominations” and then “Board Governance Policy”
When are Board meetings?
The Board of Directors meets once a month – usually on the third Monday (Tuesday if Monday is a holiday) – beginning at 6:00 pm. Dates for upcoming Board meetings are as follows:
What is the time commitment of a Board member?
There is one Board of Directors meeting every month. The length of the meetings vary from 1 ½ to 3 hours. The longer meetings reflect extra time spent on “hot button” issues, and the meeting for the application lottery is usually on the longer side. Each member receives a packet of information 72 hours before the meeting and is expected to read through it to be familiar with the issues to be discussed during the meeting. Board members are also expected to serve on committees that may have additional meetings. Each member receives Brown Act training annually. While Board members are not required to attend school functions, it is recommended they attend as many school functions as possible. Altogether, the time spent at meetings, preparing for meetings, and attending school functions adds up to about 5 to 7 hours a month.
Where can I get more information?
Please see the MATES website, under “About MATES” / “Our History” and then “MATES Charter Petition”. Familiarity with the Charter Petition is essential for all Board members and the school population at large.
General Election FAQs:
Who is on the Recruitment Committee?
According to the MATES Charter, the head of the recruitment committee is chosen by the Board of Directors. This person then selects a committee comprised of parents and staff. For the school year 2024-2025, the chair of the committee is Emily Glass and the members of the recruitment committee are Kristen Fiss.
What is the function of the Recruitment Committee?
The recruitment committee is charged with finding good, qualified people willing to serve on the Board of Directors. The committee members will ensure that the candidates meet all requirements and present themselves in a positive, appropriate manner during the election process.
How are candidates nominated for the Board of Directors?
The recruitment committee will approach people they believe would make good Board members. Additionally, anyone on campus is free to come to the recruitment committee with the name of a person they believe will make a good Board member, or if they would like to run. Anyone who meets the requirements listed below will be allowed to run.
What are the requirements to be a Board Member?
According to the MATES policy, for a person to run for the Board of Directors, a person or their spouse cannot have been paid by MATES for a year prior to the election. They also must have a child who will be attending MATES, given the normal progression through the grades, for their entire two-year term.
What qualifications are you looking for in a board member?
For MATES to continue on its path as a sought-after school that provides its students with a quality education, we are looking for people who are open-minded and willing to research a subject and hear all points of view before making a decision. It is also recommended that Board Candidates have first-hand experience with the culture and operating structure of MATES, and be supportive of the vision and objectives of MATES. According to MATES’ policy, members of the Board shall have experience in one or more of the following areas: education, technology, art, government, law, business, finance/accounting, fundraising, facilities, or public relations.
Who gets to vote?
Each family with a child attending MATES, including parents of fifth graders, will receive a ballot. Each staff member, except the Executive Director, will also receive a ballot.
How do I get a ballot, and how do I get a replacement for a lost ballot?
The ballots are numbered and passed out to teachers. The teacher will then record the number of the ballot each child receives. This information is kept secret from the members of the recruitment committee. Teachers will send the ballots home with the youngest child in each family if a family has more than one child attending MATES. If a ballot is lost, the parent must notify the teacher and a new, differently numbered ballot will be issued. The lost ballot’s number will be recorded and that ballot will be invalidated. Ballots may not be faxed or duplicated; only original ballots will be accepted.
How do I know the election is fair and accurate?
The ballots are collected in a locked box in the front office. If the box is filled
before the ballot counting takes place, one member of the recruitment committee, the Assistant Director, and the Executive Director will remove the ballots from the ballot box and move them to the safe in the office. At the end of the voting period, all ballots will be collected, again by a committee member, the Assistant Director, and the Executive Director, and are placed in the safe until they are counted. The ballots are counted at the Business Services Authority (BSA), a separate Accounting firm. The ballot number and its vote will be recorded by BSA. The results are kept on file for 2 years.
How can a candidate campaign?
Please review the core values MATES has established and let these guide your campaign. We would like the election process to run smoothly and create minimal disruptions to the classroom. Specifically, candidates shall focus on their positive attributes and positions rather than disparaging others. Candidates also need to be aware of their potential role as one person on a Board of many and avoid making concrete promises while campaigning.
Where can I get more information?
The MATES website has useful information, specifically under the “Who We Are” / “Meet the Board” tabs. Please also feel free to direct questions to any member of the recruitment committee at any time. A Board Member will be available for Q&A sessions during the April “Director’s Dialogue” and just before the April Board meeting from 5:30 – 6:00 pm.
Committee members for the 2025 election are:
Emily Glass [email protected]
Kristen Fiss [email protected]