Our Board of Trustees

UCDS is organized under Washington law as a non-profit corporation. As an "independent school" UCDS is independent in its governance (and in its admission process), but of course is also subject in many areas to state and federal laws and regulations.

Our Board consists of 13 to17 trustees chosen from parents, former parents, and non-parents who are responsible for supporting the long-term health of the school. Our Board is different from many Boards at other professional practice schools in that the Parent Association President and a faculty member also attend Board meetings. The Board has scheduled meetings (required by the bylaws) in September, November, January, March and May with an additional 2 to 3 meetings each year. Individual Board committees meet separately on a regular basis and as needed throughout the year.

The Board has several major roles:

• approving the mission statement
• hiring, supporting, and evaluating the school Head
• long-term planning to support the educational programs
• determining the annual budget including tuition level
• running the annual campaign
• establishing important policies that guide the school, e.g., regarding financial aid levels, financial reserve goals, long-term goals and strategic planning, conflict-of-interest
• reviewing and approving the annual audit

A critical role of the Board is strategic and long-term planning. In concert with the Head of School, the Board concentrates on prioritizing needs of the school and then determines how to plan for the resources necessary to meet those needs. In all planning, the Board is guided by the mission of the school. The Board's role is quite separate from the role of the Head of School in daily operations.