Leadership for Educational Equity

“Michael buman, lee's executive director and member of the governing body, has a business relationship with emma bloomberg, the chairperson of lee's and lee foundation's governing body. Michael buman consults for murmuration. Emma bloomberg sits on the governing body of murmuration.”

“In september 2017, the organization significantly amended and restated its bylaws in conjunction with an amendment to the articles of incorporation. The amendments include deleting voting members as a class, deleting references to teach for america's president as a class member, and simplifying and clarifying the governance practices and structure regarding current and future corporation membership.”

“Lee does not have voting members. There are two non-voting membership classes in the organization's by-laws: members and provisional members. Provisional members have access to full or partial membership benefits for a limited duration. Currently, membership is open to teach for america alumni. Additionally, and with approval of the governing body, membership may be expanded to members and alumni of the organization's mission- and values-aligned organizational partners seeking to affect change in public education.”

“The prepared form 990 is provided to the members of the governing body for comment and review. The members of the governing body are allocated two weeks to provide comments on the return prior to its filing. At the close of those two weeks, the organization electronically files the return with the internal revenue service.”

“All individuals serving in the capacity of a director or officer are required to adhere to the conflict of interest policy and complete an annual questionnaire disclosing any potential conflicts with the organization. When a director or officer becomes aware of a potential conflict, the director shall have a duty to (1) immediately disclose the existence and circumstances of the transaction in writing to the governing body; (2) refrain from using the director's personal influence to encourage the organization to enter into the transaction; and (3) physically excuse themselves from participation in any discussions regarding the transaction with the directors, officers, and employees of the organization. The governing body administers the conflict of interest policy and reviews the annual disclosure statements. The governing body has the sole authority to review the operation of the policy and make changes from time to time as it may deem appropriate.”

“The compensation of the organization's top management official, the executive director, is determined by the organization's independent members of its governing body. In 2017, the governing body reviewed the executive director's performance and made compensation adjustments based on performance and health of the organization. In 2016, lee shifted its staff performance review and compensation structures to 2017 to allow for 2016 end-of-year results to be known during the review. The organization's management reviewed the performance of all staff who had been in their position for at least 90 days as of september 1, 2017. Two key elements of the staff performance review and compensation structure were goals and role competencies identified for that role. Staff engaged in 360-degree performance reviews that included feedback from peers, managers, direct reports, and partners as appropriate. Compensation increases were based on performance ratings, e.g., higher performers received the higher range of compensation. Finally, the talent, learning, and culture team, senior vice president of strategy and operations, and the executive director then reviewed each staff performance rating, assessed internal equity, made any cost of labor adjustments, and agreed on that individual's 2018 compensation.”

“The organization makes its form 990 available for public inspection as required under section 6104 of the internal revenue code. The return is posted on the leadership for educational equity website. In addition, the financial statements, conflict of interest policy, articles of incorporation, form 990, and by-laws are also available upon written request or by calling the organization directly.”