Unlike a traditional school district board elected by a geographic community, a charter board like
GSA is typically appointed based on expertise and is accountable to the specific community the
school is designed to serve and to the public authorizer that granted its charter. Its primary role is
governance, not day-to-day management, which is delegated to the school's leadership.
This governance purpose unfolds across four key areas:
The GSA board's foremost responsibility is to protect and uphold the school's unique mission, as outlined in its charter contract. This document is a performance agreement; the board is
accountable for the results. It sets the strategic direction, monitors academic performance data,
and holds the school leader responsible for achieving educational goals. If the school fails to
meet the terms of its charter, the board is ultimately accountable.
The board keeps track of the district's finances and is a trustee of public funds. It is legally
responsible for the school's financial health, approving budgets, ensuring sound internal controls,
and safeguarding assets. Its duty is to ensure the school remains a going concern, using resources
efficiently to maximize impact in the classroom.
The board's core personnel function is to hire, evaluate, support, and, if necessary, dismiss the
school's Superintendent. This relationship is critical; the board provides strategic guidance and
resources while empowering the leader to manage operational decisions, creating a clear
separation between governance and management.
The GSA board ensures the school complies with all state and federal laws and the specific
regulations of its charter contract. These oversights include special education, student rights, and
open meeting laws. Simultaneously, the board often advocates for the school's mission and the
broader charter model, engaging with parents and the community to build support.
The GSA school board ensures that a school of choice is also of quality. It provides the strategic
leadership and oversight necessary to transform an innovative educational idea into a sustainable,
high-performing reality for students, faithfully executing the promises made in its charter and
acting as a steward of the public trust.
The GSA board comprises seven members with backgrounds in all levels of education, from
elementary to doctoral level. More information about the members can be found at gsastl.org
The Gateway Science Academy volunteer Board of Directors includes Dr. Tim Bagwell
(President), Orville Goerger Jr. (Secretary), Dr. Kennedy Maranga (Treasurer), Ali Durhan (Vice
President), Patricia Hunt, Ahmet Baltaci, and Dr. Jacquelyn Lewis-Harris.
-Dr. Tim Bagwell