ISE is owned by International Teaching Services OÜ, which is controlled by Mittetulundusuhing International Educational Association of Estonia (MTÜ IEAE), a voluntary, non-profit Association of the families of students attending ISE. Each family is represented by one vote in the Association. MTÜ IEAE is directed by a Board of Governors elected by members of the Association.
According to the Articles of Association, there must be 5-9 members on the Board of Governors, of which the parents must elect the majority. Currently there are seven members of the Board, including one faculty representative and one representative from the US Embassy. In addition, the PTA President attends Board meetings, but does not vote. The Board meets several times a year, and all meetings (except for Executive Sessions) are open to the general membership.
Election of Board members is conducted in accordance with the dictates of the Articles of Association and The Private School Act of Estonia. In general, this provides for the school parents to elect the Board members at the Annual General Meeting. The faculty representative to the Board is elected by the faculty. One Board member is appointed by the United States Ambassador to Estonia under the conditions of the annual grant from the US Department of State.
The focus of the ISE Board of Governors is long-term and strategic. The primary roles of the Board can be found in the ISE Policy Manual, and include –
- establishing and promoting the Mission and Vision of the school
- hiring and supervising the Director of the school
- overseeing the financial well-being of the school
- establishing school policies
- recruit/orient new Board members
The administration of the school and its day-to-day operations are entrusted to the Director. The organizational structure of the school can be seen in the ISE Organizational Chart.
ISE Strategic Plan
The ISE Strategic Plan sets out the goals for the school over the coming years. The current strategic plan covers the years 2006-2011. Goals for the school are divided into the following areas –
- Curriculum
- Facilities
- Marketing and Development
- Staffing/ Appraisal/Professional Development
- Finance
- Student Support Services
Board Committees
Much of the work of the Board is done in committee. There are two permanent committees, and other committees/task forces are formed as needed. At present the following committees are in place –
Finance Committee (permanent) – The Finance Committee develops the long range financial plan and yearly budget; monitors the implementation of the budget; makes periodic reports to the board on the school’s financial status and determines financial aid allocations. The committee also develops and monitors the master plan for the school’s buildings and grounds; and reports to the board on major building projects.
Governance Committee (permanent) – The Governance Committee considers and recommends changes in broad school policy, guides the process of identifying, recruiting and proposing new Board members, organizes the Board’s annual self-evaluation and the evaluation of the Director; facilitates Board member professional development and generally reviews board practice to ensure responsible board management and accountability to the members of the Association and the rest of the ISE school community.
Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) brings together all the members of the Association and is held every fall, around the end of October. Notification of the AGM is sent to all members at least 21 days in advance of the meeting. Members of the Association may attend in person or may be represented by proxy.
The AGM includes the presentation of the Annual Report of the school, approval of the audit of the school, confirmation of newly elected Board Members and amendments to the Articles of Association.
