SCHOOL GOVERNANCE

Nishimachi international School is, legally, a school foundation (Gakko Hojin). Its purpose is to carry out "educational undertakings designed to teach Japanese and foreign children the cultural values and skills necessary to become persons with international perspective." Its Articles of Endowment identify the authorities and responsibilities of Advisors, a Board of Trustees, Statutory Auditors, and a Board of Directors, which includes the Head of School.

Governing Bodies

Board of Trustees

  • Fifteen individuals selected from alumni, persons of learning, and individuals who have rendered distinguished service to Nishimachi; must include the Head of School, the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, one graduate of the school, and one Director-Trustee elected jointly by the Board of Directors and the Board of Trustees

  • Meet semi-annually to elect officers, consent to appointments, and advise on matters of the Foundation; the Board of Directors is required to seek the advice of trustees on important issues such as the budget, selection or dismissal of the Head of School, disposal of assets, borrowing of money, and solicitation of funds.

Virginia ANAMI
Richard DYCK
Philip GREENAN (Chairperson, Board of Directors)
Hunter HALE 
Jeff HSU (Director-Trustee)
Michiyo IKENAGA
Mary KATAYAMA
Satoshi KUBO
Akiko KUNO
Karen O'NEILL (Head of School)
Haruhiko SAKAGUCHI (Graduate)
David SNEIDER
Junko THOMAS
John VANDENBRINK
Masamoto YASHIRO

Advisors

  • Individuals of particularly distinguished service to the Foundation who have been appointed by the Chairperson of the Board of Directors with the consent of the Board of Directors

  • Provide advice and suggestions to the Board of Directors concerning the undertakings of the Foundation

  • May attend meetings of the Board of Directors or the Board of Trustees as requested by the presiding officer and may state their opinions at such meetings

Paul CH'EN 
Paul HOFER 
Naotaka MATSUKATA 
Ken MATSUMOTO 
Yoshio NAKAMURA

Board of Directors

  • Seven persons, of whom one is the Head of School, three are elected by the Board of Trustees, two are elected by the Directors who were themselves elected by Trustees, and one Director-Trustee elected jointly by the Board of Directors and the Board of Trustees

  • Hire and evaluate the Head of School

  • Manage the Foundation's assets and direct their use for education

  • Meet periodically to monitor the operation of the school, determine policies, and set long-term objectives

Philip GREENAN (Chair)
Denise MIURA (Vice Chair)
Steven GREENBERG
Jeff HSU (Director-Trustee)
Tomio KURIHARA
Karen O'NEILL (Head of School)
Dan WEISS

Statutory Auditors

  • Two individuals appointed by the Chairperson of the Board of Directors with the consent of the Board of Trustees

  • Inspect the finances of the Foundation by, among other means, reviewing the annual audit carried out by a professional auditing firm

  • Monitor the performance of the Board of Directors and report any irregularities to Trustees

Noriko IGARASHI

Chris HATHAWAY

Administrators

Head of School - Ms. Karen O'Neill

Elementary School Principal - Dr. Kalpana Rao

Middle School Principal - Ms. Meredith Lawson

Director of Business Operations - Mr. Noel Bradshaw