Salt Lake Arts Academy (SLArts) is an accredited charter school funded by State funds, some Federal funds, and some “Local” funds (student-funded activities, student fees and private contributions.) The Utah State Charter School Board is our “Authorizer." (See https://ucap.schools.utah.gov/Home/AboutSCSB for more information.) SLArts, like all public charter schools, is accountable to our Authorizer and the Utah State Board of Education.

SLArts acts as our own “Local Education Agency” (LEA) so the SLArts Governing Board can be thought of as equivalent in scope (if not reach) to a District school board, and the Principal/CAO to a District Superintendent. The Board serves as the school’s Land Trust Council, and reviews and approves the annual plan to use the funds distributed from the state’s Schoolchildren’s Land Trust. Board members must complete the annual state School Land Trust training as well as the online training for Open and Public Meetings provided by the Utah State Auditor’s office.

The Board is responsible for hiring and evaluating the Principal/CAO and Business Manager. They provide fiduciary guidance and oversight, set school policy and academic goals, ensure adequate resources for the school, and serve as ambassadors and advocates in the community. The SLArts Board plans for and safeguards the school’s future. The Board is not responsible for the day-to-day operations of the school.The SLArts Board focuses on the “ends” and delegates to Administration the authority to meet the ends, using the “means” the admin team recommends.

Any parent (past, present, or future) or community member is eligible to serve on the Board. There are no specific requirements, though experience in finance, law, education, the arts, community advocacy, and more are especially useful. The only real requirement is a commitment to the school and the time to fulfill Board responsibilities.

Board terms last three years and board members may renew for a second term.

Board members can expect to spend 2-4 hours per month in meetings and board work, give or take depending on committee assignments and optional tasks. Special circumstances may require additional time for emergency meetings, but this is rare.

The Board currently meets on the third Monday of the month at 5:30 pm in room 201 at SLArts. It’s also important to note that the Monday at 5:30 meeting time is not set in stone – each Board can change the meeting at their own discretion to best meet the scheduling needs of members and the current workload.

Leadership positions on the Governing Board include Chair, Chair-elect, Secretary, Treasurer. Each committee (Finance, Governance, Development / Community Outreach, Ad Hoc committees) also has an appointed Chair. 

The current goal is a 7-member Board, but there is no set number of openings. The Board has been bigger and smaller in the past, and the number reflects ongoing discussions within the Board.

• Check Board email daily and respond to messages in a timely manner
• Read all material sent in advance of meetings (financial statements, meeting minutes etc.) and be ready to discuss
• Complete all state-mandated training sessions by the dates required 
• Attend all regularly scheduled Board meetings and emergency Board meeting as needed 
• Participate on at least one Board committee
• Make at least one financial gift per year to the school -- size of gift is less important than 100% participation!
• Attend school events.
• Participate in a background check conducted by the State, paid for by the school.

Anyone in the SLArts community can be nominated or nominate themselves for open Board positions. A complete nomination will include a brief conversation with a member of the board Governance Committee, a completed nomination form, and submission of a CV/resume.

Once a nomination form has been filled out, the prospective member will have a short conversation with a member of the Governance committee to answer any additional questions. References will be called. Prospective members are invited to attend a Board meeting to introduce themselves. The formal process for adding new Board members requires that we present each nomination and then vote to accept (or not) the nomination after Board discussion.

Please contact the current Board chair. Contact information above.