Accelerated College and Employability Skills (ACCESS) Academy Governing Board Bylaws
ARTICLE I: NAME, DESCRIPTION, AND PURPOSE
George Mason University (Mason) has established a Virginia lab school known as the Accelerated College and Employability Skills (ACCESS) Academy (hereinafter referred to as "ACCESS Academy") pursuant to Code of Virginia § 22.1-349.1 and associated regulations of the Virginia Department of Education. Mason will work with Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) and Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) (collectively the “Collaborating Partners”) on the operations of ACCESS Academy. ACCESS Academy provides, through partnerships with private industry and institutions of higher education, an innovative program of studies for students from throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia to graduate with both a Virginia high school diploma and college credits that meet requirements for associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in information technology as well as opportunities for internships, mentorships, and industry credentialing.
ARTICLE II: GOVERNING BOARD
The Governing Board (“Board”) shall operate ACCESS Academy, as authorized by Section 22.1- 349.1 of the Code of Virginia and consistent with the regulations of the Virginia Department of Education. The Board shall be under the control of Mason and is an arm of Mason.
Section 1 – Board Composition
The Board may include the voices of a range of stakeholders including industry, parents, and community members. Mason shall select and shall have the ability to remove all members of the Board, in consultation with the Collaborating Partners. The Dean of the College of Education and Human Development (GMU), the Chief Academic Officer of NVCC, the Superintendent of LCPS or their designee, the Director of ACCESS Academy, and the ACCESS Academy Digital Innovation Lead will be the initial voting members. Mason may appoint additional members to the Board at its discretion, in consultation with the Collaborating Partners.
There will also be two (2) parent members nominated by the Loudoun County School Board, two (2) industry or chamber representatives, and two (2) community representatives. These six members will be appointed as advisory, non-voting, representatives to the Board. These representatives will be selected and may be removed by Mason, in consultation with the Collaborating Partners.
To ensure continuity on the Board, the first term for the appointed members of or representatives to the Board will be either 2- or a 3-years and then move to 2-year terms for subsequent terms. The duration of the initial terms shall be determined by Mason, in consultation with the Collaborating Partners. There will be no term limits. The Board shall establish the beginning dates that respective Board members and representatives will serve. If a member of the Board or a representative to the Accelerated College and Employability Skills (ACCESS) Academy Board leaves the Board before the end of their term, Mason shall appoint a new person to fill vacancies for the unexpired term, in consultation with the Collaborating Partners.
Section 2 – Board Committee Structure
The Board shall establish committees, as necessary, to carry out its responsibilities or fulfill a need regarding ACCESS Academy. Both members and non-voting representatives may serve on committees.
Section 3 – Officers
The Chair of the Board will be the Dean of the College of Education and Human Development at George Mason University.
The Vice-Chair position will be rotated every three (3) years between the LCPS Superintendent or designee and the NVCC Chief Academic Officer, with LCPS assuming the Vice-Chair position initially. In the event that neither remains on the Board, the Board shall elect a Vice-Chair. In the event of the absence of the Chair, the Vice-Chair will preside over meetings.
ARTICLE III: MEETINGS
Section 1 – Calendar
The Board shall establish and approve an annual calendar of quarterly meetings in September each year. Additional meetings may be scheduled as necessary, with proper notice given to all Board members.
Section 2 – Notice
At least three (3) business days before a scheduled meeting, all Board members must receive a notification of the time and place of the meeting. This notice should include a draft agenda and relevant documents for review.
Section 3 – Board Agenda
The Chair, with the assistance of the Program Assistant, is responsible for preparation and distribution of an agenda. All items to be included on the agenda shall be in writing at least three days days prior to the meeting. No new items shall be considered for Board action that do not appear on the agenda, except by vote of approval by two-thirds of the Board’s members.
Section 4 – Quorum
A majority of the Board members shall constitute a quorum for any meeting. Unless otherwise Accelerated College and Employability Skills (ACCESS) Academy required by “Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised”, a majority vote of those present is required to approve any action item.
Section 5 – Minutes and Documentation
A Program Assistant employed by GMU shall serve as a clerk to the Board and keep a record of the Board’s proceedings. The Program Assistant will also be responsible for providing notice of meetings and documents to Board members. The Program Assistant shall not be a member of the Board.
Section 6 – Parliamentary Procedures
The rules contained in “Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised” shall govern the operation of the Board in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the Bylaws or any procedures adopted by the Board.
Section 7 – Emergency Meetings
The Chair is authorized to call an Emergency Meeting of the Board as needed and to waive any rules or requirements of these Bylaws as needed to conduct an Emergency Meeting.
ARTICLE IV – Authority of the ACCESS Academy Governing Board
The powers and duties of the Board shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
- Creating, managing, administering, and operating the ACCESS Academy.
- To provide governance of ACCESS Academy including the establishment of school policies and making decisions for the school.
- To adopt such bylaws and policies as are necessary for the efficient operation of ACCESS Academy.
- To establish and manage the business, property, and affairs and to provide for the operation of ACCESS Academy.
- To exercise authority as may be provided under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
ARTICLE V ADDITIONAL MEMBERS
Section 1 – Additional Board Members
Should other Virginia school divisions become Collaborating Partners in ACCESS Academy, this Accelerated College and Employability Skills (ACCESS) Academy Board may also be expanded. Stakeholders from industry, parent, and/or community members may be appointed as non-voting representatives to the Board by Mason, following collaboration with the Collaborating Partners and any new Collaborating Partners. However, at all times Mason employees must make up a majority of the Board.
The school board of a new Collaborating Partner as set forth in Section 1 above must provide the Board and the Virginia Board of Education a statement of assurance that it intends to participate in ACCESS Academy for a minimum of three (3) years.
ARTICLE VI AMENDMENTS TO BY-LAWS
Section 1 – Amendment Procedure
These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the Board, provided the proposed amendment has been introduced and discussed at a prior meeting. Proposed amendments must be submitted in writing to all members of the Governing Board at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting at which they will be considered.
ARTICLE VII ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS
Section 1 – Adoption
These Bylaws shall be adopted upon approval by the Board and shall supersede any previous bylaws or governing documents of ACCESS Academy.
Section 2 – Ratification
These Bylaws are hereby ratified and adopted by the Board of the ACCESS Academy on [Date of Adoption].Signature: [Signature of Chair]
Date: [Date of Adoption]