Description of the Board of Trustees

JPDS-NC is a non-profit educational institution incorporated in the District of Columbia.  It is governed by
a Board of Trustees, which is responsible for ensuring the school’s financial health and determining its strategic direction.  The Board is composed of up to 22 voting members, most of whom are parents of current students and others of whom are community members.   In addition, the Board has two Ex
Officio members: the Head of School and the head of Primary Parents.  All voting members of the
Board volunteer their time, skills and resources to the school.

In carrying out its duties, the Board of Trustees is guided by the following core values:

Integrity: We lead responsibly and in ways that maintain trust and confidence in our governance.  We aim in all our actions to sustain the reputation of JPDS-NC as a highly-regarded community institution.  

Open Communication and Respect for Diverse Views: We generously share information, and we honor differences of opinion by seeking genuine understanding.  We aim to find common ground on which sound decisions can be made.

Financial Stewardship: We maintain appropriate oversight over school resources, and strive to make informed financial decisions in the best interests of the school and in furtherance of its mission.

Advancement: We give of our time, talent and tzedakah at individually meaningful levels, and we engage members of our community to join us in fulfilling this obligation.

Osek B’tzarchei Ha’tzibbur (work on behalf of the community): We are conscious of the needs and beliefs of our diverse Jewish community as well as our surrounding community, and our work is reflective of these values.

The Board generally meets 8 times a year, including an annual meeting open to the school community in June.  Board members serve three-year terms, with elections staggered so that approximately one-third of the elected trustees are appointed each year.  Nominations are solicited annually.

Significant work of the Board takes place through standing committees.  These committees and their current Chairs are as follows:

Executive Committee (Chair, Janine Goodman)  -- The Executive Committee organizes the work of the Board, and acts on behalf of the Board on matters which a majority of the members of the Executive Committee determine that time is of the essence. The Executive Committee is composed of the President, each Vice President, the Treasurer and the Secretary.  In addition, the Head of School or his or her designee serves as an ex officio member. 

Advancement Committee  (Chair, Ted Schulman) -- The Development Committee provides the framework and strategic thinking behind the board, staff, and volunteer efforts to build annual and long-term support for the school. 

Facilities Committee (Chair, Greg Shron) -- The Facilities Committee handles issues related to the school’s property and physical plant, including planning and management of acquisitions and capital improvements, and recommendations regarding the selection of consultants and contractors.

Trustees Committee (Chair, Ken Weinstein) --The Trustees Committee recruits and nominates candidates for the Board of Trustees, trains Board members, selects and nominates Board officers, and works to ensure Board function and governance in accordance with best independent school practices, including annual self-assessment of the Board and Head of School evaluation.

Finance Committee (Chair, David Cohen) -- The Finance Committee ensures that the JPDS-NC Board acts in a fiscally prudent manner so that the school remains financially sound and attracts a committed donor base.

External Affairs Committee (Chair, Laurie Moskowitz) -- The External Affairs Committee monitors all aspects of marketing and public relations for the school, including relations between JPDS-NC and its neighbors, the broader DC community and the Jewish community.  

Audit Committee (Chair, Marvin Rosenberg) -- The Audit Committee ensures the appropriate and accurate accounting practices of the school.