Board Member

Join Us in Shaping the Future of K–12 Online Education

PA Leadership Charter School (PALCS) is seeking dedicated, visionary, and community-minded leaders to serve on its Board of Directors. As a public cyber charter school serving a diverse population of students across Pennsylvania, PALCS is committed to innovation, access, equity, and academic excellence in online K–12 education.

We are looking for individuals who believe deeply in the promise and potential of high-quality virtual education and who are ready to contribute their expertise in support of our mission.

Ideal Board Member Characteristics

We are seeking candidates who bring:

• Diversity that reflects our student population — including diversity of race, ethnicity, geography, professional background, and lived experience.
• Knowledge of and/or strong interest in public education and the evolving future of education.
• Professional expertise in areas that strengthen school governance and operations, including:
  • Marketing and Communications
  • Real Estate and Facilities
  • Legal and Compliance
  • Business and Finance
  • Education and Instructional Leadership
• A genuine belief in the value and necessity of online K–12 education, recognizing that while virtual learning is not for every student, it plays a vital and growing role in expanding access and opportunity.
• The ability to commit to:
  • Monthly Board meetings
  • Active participation on Board subcommittees
  • Strategic discussions and governance responsibilities

We understand that this is a significant commitment for a volunteer position. However, we believe that the strength of our school will only ever be as strong as the leadership of our Board.

Duties and Responsibilities of the Board

Board members serve as fiduciaries and strategic leaders, not day-to-day operators. Responsibilities include:

1. Planning & Strategic Leadership

• Define and safeguard the school’s mission and vision.
• Develop and oversee a long-range strategic planning process.
• Establish measurable goals and monitor progress toward achieving them.

2. Fiscal Management

• Approve and monitor the annual budget.
• Ensure responsible stewardship of public funds.
• Develop processes that promote financial sustainability.
• Ensure a balanced budget.
• Obtain and review an annual independent audit.
• Oversee insurance coverage to protect school assets.

3. Human Resources & Executive Oversight

• Hire, supervise, and evaluate the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
• Ensure compliance with employee labor laws and regulations.
• Set policy regarding professional development and organizational standards.

4. Information & Technical Oversight

• Ensure the school maintains a strong and secure management information system.
• Monitor the effectiveness and robustness of technological infrastructure.
• Provide oversight of IT systems, vendors, and software platforms critical to cyber education.

5 . Board Governance & Continuity

• Define the structure, mission, and procedures of the Board.
• Ensure effective and efficient Board functioning.
• Evaluate Board performance and governance practices.
• Recruit, nominate, and elect new Board members and officers.
• Ensure long-term leadership continuity.

What Board Service Offers

Serving on the PALCS Board provides the opportunity to:

• Influence the direction of a leading cyber charter school.
• Advocate for equitable access to high-quality online education.
• Strengthen educational innovation in Pennsylvania.
• Contribute meaningfully to the lives of thousands of students and families.

If you are passionate about educational equity, governance excellence, and the future of online K–12 learning, we invite you to consider serving.

Together, we can ensure that PA Leadership Charter School continues to lead with vision, integrity, and impact.