July 28, 2010 - Statement by CSBA President Frank Pugh
As school board members, CSBA’s Board of Directors believes strongly in good governance. While we can’t change what has happened, we can assure you that appropriate board protocols and practices will be enacted to ensure that effective checks and balances are in place for the board and staff. The board has put into place a number of new protocols, and an objective review of the policies and compensation of staff will be conducted. The board will consider additional protocols at a special board meeting that will be held in August. The following actions were taken at the CSBA’s Board of Director’s meeting on July 23.
- CSBA will provide greater transparency of the association’s finances to our membership and the public. Actions will include, but are not limited to:
a. Providing an annual financial report to our membership
b. Posting financial documents, including IRS Form 990, on the association website
c. Posting fiscal and corporate protocols on the association website
- CSBA will retain an independent firm to conduct a review of our compensation system.
- CSBA will retain an independent firm to analyze our financial systems, including expenditures and checks and balances, as well as to assist in instituting best practices.
- CSBA will extend the association’s current policy to prohibit the use of CSBA corporate credit cards for personal purposes and activities to the Executive Director.
CSBA’s Board of Directors appreciates the tough questions that have been asked and we are taking this matter very seriously. At the same time, it is important to note that the value CSBA offers to its members and the public through a wide variety of programs and services has never been compromised, nor will it be. Our problems do not rest in the services we provide our members, or with the staff who provide those services. Now, more than ever, our members need the resources and tools that CSBA provides. Our association acts as the eyes and ears to the daily decisions made in the state and national capitols regarding education. CSBA is the only association that represents the needs of California’s school board members, and we take that responsibility very seriously.
Our members have voiced sincere concern around the issues at hand, but they have also voiced genuine appreciation for the resources and support they receive as members of our association. The association’s mission is to ensure a high-quality education for all students, and nothing is going to distract us from that mission.