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.

Current Board of Trustees

Virginia ANAMI

Richard DYCK

Philip GREENAN (Chairperson, Board of Directors)

Hunter HALE

Jeff HSU

Michiyo IKENAGA

Mary KATAYAMA

Satoshi KUBO

Karen O'NEILL (Head of School)

Haruhiko SAKAGUCHI (Graduate)

David SNEIDER

Junko THOMAS

John VANDENBRINK

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

Current Board of Directors

Philip Greenan (Chair)
Denise Miura (Vice Chair)

Michiyo Ikenaga
Elizabeth Kano
Karen O'Neill (Head of School)
Tokuya Sano
Dan Weiss

Role

- 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

- Charge to the Head of School

Charge to the Head of School 2021-2022

- Prioritize the well-being of our community, including a holistic approach to the COVID-19 pandemic

- Work with the community on embracing the mission and guiding principles of the school

- Improve communication between all constituents

- Complete the CIS/WASC reaccreditation process

- Lead a strategic planning process

Advisors

- Individuals of particularly distinguished service to the school 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

Current Advisors

Paul Ch'en

Eric Golden

Paul Hofer

Naotaka Matsukata

Ken Matsumoto

Yoshio Nakamura

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

Current Statutory Advisors

Noriko Igarashi

Chris Hathaway

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SCHOOL GOVERNANCE

Governing Bodies

Board of Trustees

Board of Directors

Advisors

Statutory Auditors

Administrators