The Gordon School

“Prior to the filing of the form 990, electronic files of the tax return are provided to the chair, treasurer and assistant treasurer. All questions or comments are posed to the business manager who summarizes the questions and comments into one document and responds electronically to the chair, treasurer and assistant treasurer. This process allows the three governing board members to see all questions and comments voiced by their colleagues. Once all questions and comments are addressed to the chair, treasurer and assistant treasurer's satisfaction, the business manager is authorized to file the form 990. At the next regularly scheduled meeting, the chair announces the completion of the above review and invites all board members to review the completed form 990 if they so wish.”

“All business dealings and financial transactions are processed/executed through the business office. The culture of the school and the manner in which it conducts its business is one of transparency. To avoid any perceived or actual conflicts of interest the school avoids all transactions or business dealings that might infer or actually be a conflict of interest. All major contracts or large purchases are sent out to bid in the form of a request for proposal. In all cases, officers, trustees, employees and key employees are excluded from such invitations.”

“Head of school/executive director: the compensation and benefit package for the head of school is determined by a compensation committee, a sub-committee of the board of trustees. The compensation committee includes the chair of the board and other current and former trustees who have professional experience in independent schools, labor law or industry. In setting the compensation and benefit package for the head, the compensation committee reviews and assesses local and regional market data supplied by the national association of independent schools (nais), the head's performance and the leadership needs of the school in furthering its mission. Periodically, the school will engage the services of an independent contractor who has specific expertise in the executive compensation programs at educational institutions. The compensation committee documents the basis for its determination which includes; - the terms of the approved compensation and benefit plan and the date approved. - the members of the committee who participated in the decision - the comparable data obtained and relied upon. - disclosure of any conflicts of interest on the committee (if any). - basis for the approved compensation and benefit package. The chair presents the general terms of the head's contract to the board in executive session. All financial ramifications of the head's compensation are included in the school's operating budget which is approved annually by the board of trustees. Top management officials: each year after considering the individual's performance, local and national market analysis supplied by the national association of independent schools (nais) and budgetary constraints, the head of school assesses and sets the compensation for each top management official. The rationale for the decision is documented in the budgetary notes maintained in the business office.”

“All documents are kept in the business office of the school and are available upon request. Form 990 is also available on guidestar.”

“The process has not changed from the prior year.”