ROCK SPRINGS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY SCHOOL BOARD GOVERNANCE MODEL
Rock Springs Christian Academy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, existing to provide Christian education. As such, the RSCA School Board operates using a non-profit form of governance rather than the form of governance used by public schools, which are political bodies subject to open meeting requirements. The Board follows principles of policy governance, whereby the Board sets broad policies within which the school is to operate but does not interject itself into the operations of the school. No individual board member has any authority to speak for the school. The Board believes in the one-voice authority of the Head of School, who is accountable to the entire Board, not to any individual board member. In accordance with the scripture and specifically Matthew 18, All/Any concerns should be handled at the appropriate level of authority as follows:
- First, contact the individual directly responsible for the decision (e.g., the teacher).
- If unresolved, escalate the concern to the building principal.
- If unresolved here, escalate the concern to the Head of School.
- Finally, if needed, the concern can be submitted in writing to the Head of School for the Board's review.
BOARD MEETINGS
Rock Springs Christian Academy does not hold open meetings. The Board concerns itself with school policy and strategic planning rather than with daily operations. Therefore, curriculum, personnel and student policies are primarily determined by the Head of School with assistance from the administrative team and other staff members, subject to parameters set forth in Board policies. The Board Members are subject to a confidentiality agreement for anything that occurs in a Board Meeting.
BOARD MEMBER SELECTION AND QUALIFICATIONS
The Board is self-perpetuating. All potential Board members must be nominated from within the Board, although names may be suggested for consideration by anyone. Potential candidate names may be submitted to the Executive Pastor of Rock Springs Church, School Board chairman, or the Head of School at any time. Members of the Board must be born-again believers and subscribe without reservation to the school’s Statement of Faith and Statement of Education Philosophy. Members of the Board must be Christian role models in the school and community and members in good standing of a local evangelical church whose doctrine is consistent with the school’s Statement of Faith. At the start of each new school year, Board members are required to turn in a Pastoral Reference letter to the Head of School or Executive Pastor of Rock Springs Church.
CHURCH RELATIONSHIP
Rock Springs Christian Academy (RSCA) is a legally distinct entity that operates as a ministry of Rock Springs Church (RSC) and shares its facilities. RSCA is governed by a School Board that is responsible for establishing school policies and providing strategic oversight. Day-to-day operations and administrative decisions are carried out by the school’s leadership team, under the direction of the Head of School.
While RSCA operates independently in most respects, it does so in alignment with the spiritual and doctrinal framework of Rock Springs Church. To preserve that alignment, RSC retains the authority to review and override any policy or decision—whether intentional or inadvertent—that is determined by the Senior Pastor or the Board of Stewards of RSC to conflict with the church’s mission statement, doctrinal beliefs, or established policies. Upon such a determination, the action may be declared null and void.
That said, it is the regular practice of Rock Springs Church to respect the governance structure of RSCA and to refrain from involvement in the school’s daily operations or routine policy decisions. RSC’s leadership remains committed to offering spiritual guidance and support without unnecessary interference. Church intervention will occur only in rare and exceptional situations involving matters of doctrinal integrity, serious ethical concerns, or legal compliance.