The Ida B. Wells Community Academy  

a state of Ohio nonprofit corporation for the benefit of the public

semper novi quid ex Africa!
"Everything new always comes out of Africa!"  – Pliny

THE BYLAWS

for the regulation and governance, except as otherwise provided by the nonprofit corporation laws
 of the state of Ohio and its Articles of Incorporation

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Membership
Board of Governors
Powers
Number of Governors
Election of Governors and Term of Office
Removal of Governors
Resignation of Governor
Vacancies
Compensation of Governors
Principal Office
Meetings of the Board
Place of Meetings
Action by the Board
Committees
Procedures of Committees
Standard of Care
Rights of Inspection
Participation in Discussions and Voting
Duty to Maintain Board Confidences
Officers and Elections
Officers
Elections, Eligibility and Term of Office
Removal and Resignation
Non-Liability of Governors
Indemnification Of Corporate Agents
Insurance for Corporate Agents
Self-Dealing Transactions
Other Provisions
Execution of Instruments
Checks and Notes
Conflict of Interest
Interpretation of ODE Contract
Amendments

I.  MEMBERSHIP

        A.      Number of Governors

The number of Governors of the corporation shall be not less than seven (7), nor more than fifteen (15). The Board shall fix the exact number of Governors, within these limits, by Board resolution or by amendment of the Bylaws. As of the date on which these Bylaws are adopted, the exact maximum number of Governors is fixed at fifteen (15).

                 Selection of Governors

Two Governors, Emma Jean Calhoun and Edward W. Crosby, PhD (the original incorporators), will invite a slate of no more than seven additional Governors from the following occupational, familial and professional strata: Officials from Kent State University and the University of Akron, e.g., deans, directors, and department chairs and faculty, parents, professional educators, health service professionals, lay persons residing in the community, psychologists, school teachers, an attorney and business persons. Subsequently, as outlined below under "Election of Governors, elections will be conducted to bring the number of Governors up to the optimal limit of seven or no more than fifteen. 

The eleven (11) current Governors represent the following occupational groups and backgrounds (their resumes are attached):

  • Dr. Edward W. Crosby, PhD,  Chair and Founder and Professor Emeritus, Kent State University
  • Mrs. Angela M. Neeley, MBA, Chief Administrative Officer and Treasurer
  • Dr. Janice D. Taylor Heard, PhD, Vice Chair, Director Outreach and Retention, The University of Akron
  • Mr. John Fuller, Community Representative
  • Mrs. Mozella M. Cottingham Watts, MEd, Retired Elementary and Middle School Principal,  Akron Public Schools
  • Dr. Bridgie A. Ford, PhD, Professor, Department of Curricular and Instructional Studies, The University of Akron
  • Mrs. Nikki Marchmon Boykin, MEd, Certified Social Studies Teacher, Roosevelt High School, Kent City Schools
The additional Governors will be selected as and when the Board determines from occupations similar to the following:
  • Community Lay Persons
  • Business Leaders and Corporate Executives
  • Public School and University Educators
  • Bank Officials or Loan Officers
  • Health Service Professionals
  • Accountants or Certified Public Accountants, and
  • Parents of Ida B. Wells Community Academy Students 
Critical selection criteria are what expertise and other essential qualities, e.g., fund raising, grant writing skills, curriculum development and accountability skills, facilities acquisition and development, and staff development and organizational skills these potential Governors will bring with them..

Two boards are involved in the governance, administration and accountability of the Ida B. Wells Community Academy. 

  • The Advisory Board reports to the Board of Governors through the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) who is a voting member of the Board of Governors. The Advisory Board meets weekly or daily as deemed necessary by the Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction. The Advisory Board will be composed of 9 persons: the Principle, 2 parents of enrolled students, 2 certified teachers, 2 enrolled students (7th graders and above), 2 community residents who serve regularly in the delivery of educational services as assistant teachers, volunteer food service workers, playground attendants, etc.
  • The Advisory Board reports to the Board of Governors through the Principal who is an Ex-Officio member of the Board of Governors. The Advisiory Board meets weekly or daily as deemed necessary by the Principal. The Advisory Board will be composed of 9 persons: the Principle, 2 parents of enrolled students, 2 certified teachers, 2 enrolled students (7th graders and above), 2 community residents who serve regularly in the delivery of educational services as assistant teachers, volunteer food service workers, playground attendants, etc.
The Board shall conduct or direct the affairs of the corporation and exercise its powers, subject to the limitations of the Ohio Revised Code, Chapter 1702: Nonprofit Corporation Law, the Articles of Incorporation and these Bylaws. The Board may delegate the management of the activities of the corporation to others so long as the affairs of the corporation are managed, and its powers are exercised, under the Board's ultimate jurisdiction. 

As of May 19, 2000 the corporation received from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service authorization for tax exempt status under section 501(c)(3).

Without limiting the generality of the powers here granted to the Board, but subject to the same limitations, the Board shall have all the powers enumerated in these Bylaws, and the following specific powers:

  • To elect and remove Governors.
  • To select and remove officers, agents and employees of the corporation; to prescribe powers and duties for them; and to fix their compensation.
  • To conduct, manage and control the affairs and activities of the corporation, and to make rules and regulations.
  • To enter into contracts, leases and other agreements which are, in the Board's judgment, necessary or desirable in obtaining the purposes of promoting the interests of the corporation.
  • To carry on business at a profit and apply any profit that results from the business activity to any not-for-profit educational activity in which the corporation may engage.
  • To act as Governor under any trust incidental to the corporation's purposes, and to receive, hold, administer, exchange and expend funds and property subject to such a trust.
  • To acquire real or personal property, by purchase, exchange, lease, gift, devise, bequest, or otherwise, and to hold, improve, lease, sublease, mortgage, transfer in trust, encumber, convey or otherwise dispose of such property.
  • To borrow money, incur debt, and to execute and deliver promissory notes, bonds, debentures, deeds of trust, mortgages, pledges, hypothecations and other evidences of debt and securities.
  • To lend money and accept conditional or unconditional promissory notes therefore, whether interest or non-interest bearing, or secured or unsecured.
  • To indemnify and maintain insurance on behalf of any of its Governors, officers, employees or agents for liability asserted against or incurred by such person in such capacity or arising out of such person's status as such, subject to the provisions of the Ohio Revised Code, Chapter 1702: Nonprofit Corporation Law and the limitations noted in these Bylaws.

   B.     Number of Governors

The number of Governors of the corporation shall be not less than seven (7) nor more than fifteen (15). The Board shall fix the exact number of Governors, within these limits, by Board resolution or amendment of the Bylaws. As of the date on which these Bylaws were amended, July 21, 1999, the fixed number of Governors is seven (7). This does not preclude the selection of additional Governors provided the total number of Governors does not exceed 15 and provided the Board of Governors has agreed to the increase.

   C.     Election of Governors

  • Election. The Academy's  Principal shall automatically be an ex officio Governor. The Board shall elect the remaining Governors by the vote of a   majority of the Governors then in office, whether or not the number of Governors in office is sufficient to constitute a quorum, or by the sole remaining Governor.
  • Eligibility. The Board may elect any person who in its discretion it believes will serve the interests of the corporation faithfully and effectively. In addition to other candidates, the Board will consider the following nominees:

    • A parent of an active Academy student, who is designated by the Academy to represent parents (the "Parent Representative").
    • Following the graduation of the initial High School class, an alumna or alumnus of the Academy, who is designated by the Academy's alumni to represent them (the "Alumni Representative").
    • An Academy teacher, selected by the faculty (the "Academy Faculty Representative").
    • An Academy student, selected by the student body (the "Academy Student Representative").

  • Interested Persons. 

Even though the Academy's Governing Board is exempt from ORC 3319.21 which prohibits a school board from participating in a contract employing a relative of a member of the board, the Academy has decided on the following policy: Not more than 20% of the persons serving on the Board may be interested persons. An "interested person" is: (1) any Governor or person currently being compensated by the corporation for services rendered to it within the previous 12 months, whether as a full-time or part-time employee, independent contractor or otherwise, excluding any reasonable compensation paid to a Governor as Governor; or (2) any sister, brother, ancestor, descendant, spouse, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, mother-in-law or father-in-law of any such person.

  • Term of Office

    • The term of office of all members of the initial Board of Governors shall be one year.
    • At the end of the first year, the Board shall provide for staggered terms of its Governors, by designating approximately one-third of the Governors to one-, two- and three-year terms. Following the expiration of those designated terms, the term of each Governor shall continue for three years, except the term of any Governor who is the Parent, Alumni, Academy Faculty or Academy Student Representative shall be one year.
    • No Governor, other than a Governor serving as a corporate officer or the Academy's Principal, Superintendent, Business Mana- ger may serve for more than seven (7) consecutive years.
    • The term of office of a Governor elected to fill a vacancy on the Board begins on the date of the Governor's election, and contin- ues: (1) for the balance of the unexpired term in the case of a vacancy created because of the resignation, removal, or death of a Governor, or (2) for the term specified by the Board in the case of a vacancy resulting from the increase of the number of Governors authorized.
    • A Governor's term of office shall not be shortened by any reduction in the number of Governors resulting from amendment of the Articles of Incorporation or the Bylaws or other Board action.
    • A Governor's term of office shall not be extended beyond that for which the Governor was elected by amendment of the Articles of Incorporation or the Bylaws or other Board action.

  • Time of Elections. The Board shall elect Governors whose terms begin on July 1 of a given year at the Annual Meeting for that year, or at a Regular Meeting designated for that purpose, or at a Special Meeting called for that purpose.

   D.     Removal of Governors

           The Board may remove a Governor without cause as provided by the Ohio Revised Code, Chapter 1702: Nonprofit Corporation Law. The Board may also remove any Governor who: 

  • Has consecutively failed to attend three or more of the Board's Regular Meetings in any calendar year;
  • Has been declared of unsound mind by a final order of court;
  • Has been convicted of a felony;
  • Has been found by a final order or judgment of any court to have breached any duty imposed by the Ohio Revised Code, Chapter 1702: Nonprofit Corporation Law; or
  • For such other good causes as the Board may determine.

   E.      Resignation by Governor

A Governor may resign by giving written notice to the Board Chair or Secretary. The resignation is effective on the giving of notice, or at any later date specified in the notice. A Governor may not resign if the Governor's resignation would leave the corporation without a duly elected Governor in charge of its affairs, without first giving notice to the Ohio Attorney General.

   F.      Vacancies

A vacancy is deemed to occur on the effective date of the resignation of a Governor, upon the removal of a Governor, upon declaration of vacancy pursuant to these Bylaws, or upon a Governor's death. A vacancy is also deemed to exist upon the increase by the Board of the authorized number of Governors.

   G.      Compensation of Governors

Governors shall serve without compensation. However, the Board may approve reimbursement of a Governor's actual and necessary expenses while conducting corporation business.

III.     PRINCIPAL OFFICE 

The corporation's principal office shall be at 815 Copley Road, Akron, Ohio  44320-2901 (Phone: 330.867.1085, FAX: 330.867.1074), or at such other place as the Board may select by resolution or amendment of the Bylaws. The Secretary shall note any change in principal office and/or regular meeting time on the official copy of the Bylaws maintained  by the Board Secretary. 

IV.      MEETINGS OF THE BOARD

   A.      Place and Time of Meetings

Board Meetings shall be held at 4:30 pm at the corporation's principal office or at any other reasonably convenient place as the Board may designate. Meetings of the Board should as much as possible be scheduled at times when it can be reasonably expected that parents will be able to attend.

   B.      Annual Meetings 

An Annual Meeting shall be held in November of each year for the purpose of electing Governors, making and receiving reports on corporate affairs, and transacting other business as comes before the meeting. 

   C.      Regular Meetings

Regular Meetings shall be held on the second Friday of each month within the year or on some other schedule as the Board of Governors determines.

   D.      Special Meetings

A Special Meeting shall be held at any time called by the Chair or by any four (4) Governors.

   E.      Adjournment

A majority of the Governors present at a meeting, whether or not a quorum, may adjourn the meeting to another time and place. Notice of the time and place of holding an adjourned meeting need not be given to absent Governors if the time and place be fixed at the meeting adjourned, except if the meeting is adjourned for longer than 24 hours, notice of the adjournment shall be given as specified in these Bylaws.

   F.      Notices

Notices of Board Meetings shall be given as follows: 

  • Annual Meetings and Regular Meetings may be held without notice if the Bylaws or the Board fix the time and place of such meetings.
  • Special Meetings shall be held upon four (4) days' notice by first-class mail or 48 hours' notice delivered personally or by telephone, facsimile or e-mail. Notices will be deemed given when deposited in the United States mail, addressed to the recipient at the address shown for the recipient in the corporation's records, first-class postage prepaid; when personally delivered in writing to the recipient; or when FAXed, e-mailed, or communicated orally, in person or by telephone, to the Governor or to a person who it is reasonably believed will communicate it promptly to the Governor.

   G.      Waiver of Notice

Notice of a meeting need not be given to a Governor who signs a waiver of notice or written consent to holding the meeting or an approval of the minutes of the meeting, whether before or after the meeting, or attends the meeting without protest prior to the meeting or at its commencement, of the lack of notice. The Secretary shall incorporate all such waivers, consents and approvals into the minutes of the meeting.

   H.      Public Notification

Public notification of regular Governing Board meetings to the community at large will be announced in various community news vehicles, e.g., community bulletin boards, newspapers, public service announcements, and church bulletins.

V.      ACTION BY THE BOARD

   A.     Quorum

A quorum consists of four (4) members of the fixed number of Governors

   B.      Action by the Board

  • Actions Taken at Board Meetings. The actions done and decisions made by a majority of the Governors present at a meeting duly held at which a quorum is present are the actions and decisions of the Board, except for purposes of electing Governors, appointing committees and delegating authority thereto, or amending the corporation's Bylaws, where the action of a majority of Governors then in office is required by the Ohio Revised Code, Chapter 1702: Nonprofit Corporation Law or as set out in these Bylaws.

The Board may continue to transact business at a meeting at which a quorum was originally present, even though Governors withdraw, provided that any action taken is approved by at least a majority of the quorum required.

  • Actions Without a Meeting. The Board may take any required or permitted action without a meeting if all the Governors individually or collectively consent in writing to the taking of that action. Such consent shall have the same effect a unanimous vote of the Board, and shall be filed with the minutes of the Board proceedings.
  • Board Meeting by Conference Telephone. Governors may participate in a Boardmeeting through use of conference telephone or similar communication equipment, so long as all Governors participating in such meeting can hear one another. Participation in a meeting pursuant to this section constitutes presence in person at such meeting.

  C.      Committees (who appoints committee chairs)

  • Appointment of Committees. The Board may appoint one or more Board Committees by vote of the majority of Governors. A Board Standing Committee will consist of not less than two Governors, who shall serve at the pleasure of the Board.
  • Authority of Board Committees. The Board may delegate to a Board committee any of the authority of the Board, except with respect to:
    • The election of Governors.
    • Filling vacancies on the Board or any committee which has the authority of the Board.
    • The fixing of Governor compensation for serving on the Board or on any committee.
    • The amendment or repeal of any Board resolution.
    • The amendment or repeal of Bylaws or the adoption of new Bylaws.
    • The appointment of other committees of the Board, or the members of the committees.
    • The expenditure of corporate funds to support a nominee for Governor.
    • The approval of any self-dealing transaction, as defined by the Ohio Revised Code, Chapter 1702: Nonprofit Corporation Law.

  • Procedures of Committees

The Board may prescribe the manner in which the proceedings of any Board Committee are to be conducted. In the absence of such prescription, a Board Committee may prescribe the manner of conducting its proceedings, except that the regular and special meetings of the Committee are governed by the provisions of these Bylaws with respect to the calling of meetings.

  D.      Standard of Care

  • Performance of Duties. Each Governor shall perform all duties of a Governor, including duties on any Board Committee, in good faith, in a manner the Governor believes to be in the corporation's best interest and with such care, including reasonable inquiry, as an ordinary prudent person in a like position would use under similar circumstances.
  • Reliance on Others. In performing the duties of a Governor, a Governor shall be entitled to rely on information, opinions, reports or statements, including financial statements and other financial data, presented or prepared by:

    • One or more officers or employees of the corporation whom the Governor believes to be reliable and competent in the matters presented;
    • Legal counsel, independent accountants or other persons as to matters that the Governor believes are within that person's professional or expert competence; or 
    • A Board Committee on which the Governor does not serve, as to matters within its designated authority, provided the Governor believes the Committee merits confidence and the Governor acts in good faith, after reasonable inquiry when the need is indicated by the circumstances, and without knowledge that would cause such reliance to be unwarranted.

  • Investments. In investing and dealing with all assets held by the corporation for investment, the Board shall exercise the standard of care described above and avoid speculation, looking instead to the permanent disposition of the funds, considering the probable income, as well as the probable safety of the corporation's capital. The Board may delegate its investment powers to others, provided that those powers are exercised within the ultimate direction of the Board. No investment violates this section where it conforms to provisions authorizing such investment contained in an instrument or agreement pursuant to which the assets were contributed to the corporation.

   E.      Rights of Inspection

Every Governor has the right to inspect and copy all books, records and documents of every kind and to inspect the physical properties of the corporation, provided that such inspection is conducted at a reasonable time after reasonable notice, and provided that such right of inspection and copying is subject to the obligation to maintain the confidentiality of the reviewed information, in addition to any obligations imposed by any applicable federal, state or local law.

  F.      Participation in Discussions and Voting

Every Governor has the right to participate in the discussion and vote on all issues before the Board or any Board Committee, except as noted below:

  • The Academy Faculty Representative shall not be present for the discussion and vote on any matter involving: (a) the performance evaluation or discipline of any administrator or faculty member; (b) administrator or faculty compensation; (c) Executive Sessions of the Board; or (d) any other matter at the discretion of a majority of the Governors then present.
  • The Academy Student Representative shall not be present for the discussion and vote on any matter involving: (a) the performance evaluation or discipline of any administrator, faculty member or student; (b) administrator or faculty compensation; (c) Executive Session of the Board; or (d) any other matter at the discretion of a majority of the Governors then present.

Any Governor shall be excused from the discussion and vote on any matter involving: (a) a self-dealing transaction; (b) a conflict of interest, (c) indemnification of that Governor; or (d) any other matter at the discretion of a majority of the Governors then present.

  G.      Duty to Maintain Board Confidences

Every Governor has a duty to maintain the confidentiality of all Board actions, including discussions and votes. Any Governor violating this confidence may be removed from the Board. Moreover, the Academy Faculty or Student Representative may be disciplined, including immediate dismissal, if Board information is disclosed without the Chair's prior approval.

VI.   OFFICERS

  A.      Officers

The officers of the Ida B. Wells Community Academy, Inc., consist of a President (hereinafter "Chair"), Vice President (hereinafter "Vice Chair"), a Secretary and a Chief Financial Officer (hereinafter "Business Manager/Treasurer"). The corporation also may have such other officers as the Board deems advisable.

  • Chair. Subject to Board control, the Chair has general supervision, direction and control of the affairs of the corporation, and such other powers and duties as the Board may prescribe. If present, the Chair shall preside at Board meetings.
  • Vice Chair. If the Chair is absent or disabled, the Vice Chair shall perform all the Chair's duties and, when so acting, shall have all the Chair's powers and be subject to the same restrictions. The Vice Chair shall have other such powers and perform such other duties as the Board may prescribe.
  • Secretary. The Secretary shall: (a) keep or cause to be kept, at the Ida B. Wells Community Academy's principal office, or such other place as the Board may direct an official book of minutes and agendas all meetings of the Board and Board Committees, noting the time and place of the meeting, whether it was regular or special (and if special, how authorized), the notice given, the names of those present, and the proceedings; (b) keep or cause to be kept a copy of the corporation's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, with amendments, and resolutions; (c) give or cause to be given notice of the Board and Committee meetings as required by the Bylaws; and (d) have such other powers and perform such other duties as the Board may prescribe.
  • Treasurer/Fiscal Officer. The Treasurer/Fiscal Officer shall: (a) keep or cause to be kept adequate and correct accounts of the corporation's properties, receipts and disbursements using MEOSERRC's NeoNet Computerized Financial Services Division; (b) make the books of account available at all times for inspection by any Governor; (c) deposit or cause to be deposited the corporation's monies and other valuables in the corporation's name and to its credit, with the depositories the Board designates; (d) disburse or cause to be disbursed the corporation's funds as the Board directs; (e) render to the Chair and the Board, as requested but no less frequently than once every fiscal year, an account of the corporation's financial transactions and financial condition; (f) prepare any reports on financial issues required by an agreement on loans; and (g) have such other powers and perform such other duties as the Board may prescribe.

  B.      Election, Eligibility and Term of Office

  • Election. The Board shall elect the officers annually at the Annual Meeting or a Regular Meeting designated for that purpose or at a Special Meeting called for that purpose, except that officers elected to fill vacancies shall be elected as vacancies occur.
  • Eligibility. A Governor may hold any number of offices, except that neither the Secretary or Treasurer may serve concurrently as the Chair.
  • Term of Office. Each officer serves at the pleasure of the Board, holding office until resignation, removal or disqualification from service, or until his or her successor is elected.

  C.      Removal and Resignation

The Board may remove any officer, either with or without cause, at any time. Such removal shall not prejudice the officer's rights, if any, under an employment contract. Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the corporation, the resignation taking effect on receipt of the notice or at a later date as specified in the notice.

VII.      NON-LIABILITY OF GOVERNORS

The Governors shall not be personally liable for the corporation's debts, liabilities or other obligations. 

VIII.      INDEMNIFICATION OF CORPORATE AGENTS

The corporation shall indemnify any Governor, officer, employee or other agent of this
corporation, who has been successful (1) on the merits in defense of any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative proceeding brought to procure a judgment against such person by reason of the fact that he/she is, or was, the corporation's agent, or (2) in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein. In such case, the corporation will provide indemnity against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such proceeding.

If the corporate agent either settles any such claim or sustains a judgment against him/her, then indemnification against expenses, judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts reasonably incurred in connection with such proceedings shall be provided by this corporation but only to the extent allowed by, and in accordance with the requirements of the Ohio Revised Code, Chapter 1702: Nonprofit Corporation Law.

IX.      INSURANCE FOR CORPORATE AGENTS

The Board may adopt a resolution authorizing the purchase and maintenance of insurance on behalf of any Governor, officer, employee or other agent of the corporation, against any liability other than for violating provisions of law relating to self-dealing asserted against or incurred by the agent in such capacity or arising out of the agent's status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify the agent against such liability under the provisions of the Ohio Revised Code and Chapter 1702: Nonprofit Corporation Law.

X.      SELF-DEALING TRANSACTIONS

The corporation shall not engage in any self-dealing transactions, except as approved by the Board. "Self-dealing transaction" means a transaction to which the corporation is a party in which one or more of the Governors has a material financial interest ("interested Governor(s)"). Notwithstanding this definition, the following transactions are not self-dealing transactions, and are subject to the Board's general standard of care:

  • The Board's action of fixing a Governor's compensation as Academy Principal, Superintendent, Business Manager, Governor or corporate officer; or  
  • A transaction which is part of a public or charitable program of the corporation, if the

transaction (a) is approved or authorized by the Board in good faith and without unjustified favoritism, and (b) results in a benefit to one or more Governors or their families because they are in a class of persons intended to be benefitted by the program.

XI.     OTHER PROVISIONS

  A.      Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the corporation begins on July 1 of each year and ends on June 30 of the following year.

  B.      Execution of Instruments

Except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, the Board may adopt a resolution authorizing any officer or agent of the corporation to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of or on behalf of the corporation. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Unless so authorized, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power to bind the corporation by any contract or engagement, to pledge the corporation's credit, or to render it liable monetarily for any purpose or any amount.

  C.      Checks and Notes

Except as otherwise specifically provided by Board resolution, checks, drafts, promissory notes, orders for the payment of money, and other evidence of indebtedness of the corporation may be signed by the Chair (or in the absense of the Chair, the Vice Chair) and counter-signed by another officer or agent of the corporation, either the Business Manager/Treasurer or the IBWCA Principal/Administrator.

  D.      Construction and Definitions

Unless the context otherwise requires, the general provisions, rules of construction, and definitions prescribed by statute in the Ohio Revised Code, Chapter 1702: Nonprofit Corporation Law, shall govern the construction of these Bylaws. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, words in these Bylaws shall be read as the masculine or feminine gender, and as the singular or plural, as the context requires, and the word "person" includes both a corporation and a natural person. The captions and headings in these Bylaws are for convenience of reference only are not intended to limit or define the scope or effect of any provisions.

  E.      Conflict of Interest

Any Governor, officer, key employee, or committee member having an interest in a contract, other transaction or program presented to or discussed by the Board or Board Committee for authorization, approval, or ratification shall make a prompt, full and frank disclosure of his or her interest to the Board or committee prior to its acting on such contract or transaction. Such disclosure shall include all relevant and material facts known to such person about the contract or transaction which might reasonably be construed to be adverse to the corporation's interest. The body to which such disclosure is made shall thereupon determine, by majority vote, whether the disclosure shows that a conflict of interest exists or can reasonably be construed to exist. If a conflict is deemed to exist, such person shall not vote on, nor use his or her personal influence on, nor be present during the discussion or deliberations with respect to, such contract or transaction (other than to present factual information or to respond to questions prior to the discussion). The minutes of the meeting shall reflect the disclosure made, the vote thereon and, where applicable, the abstention from voting and participation. The Board may adopt conflict of interest policies requiring:

  • Regular annual statements from Governors, officers, key employees to disclose existing and potential conflict in interest; and,
  • Corrective and disciplinary actions with respect to transgressions of such policies.

For the purpose of this section, a person shall be deemed to have an "interest" in a contract or other transaction if he or she is the party (or one of the parties) contracting or dealing with the corporation, or is a director, Governor or officer of, or has a significant financial or influential interest in the entity contracting or dealing with the corporation.

NOTE WELL: Contrary to Ohio Revised Code 3319.21, the Ida B. Wells Community Academy and other community schools in Ohio are statutorily exempt from the prohibition against a school board member "participating in a contract employing a relative of a . . . board member; requirement that these contracts and any contracts in which a board member has a pecuniary interest are void" (see the April 2000 report of the Legislative Office of Education Oversight, "Community Schools in Ohio: First-Year Implementation Report," Appendix C, p. 11 at: http://www.loeo.state.oh.us. the LOEO's Web site.

On November 7, 2005, the Board of Governors at its regular meeting approved a Conflict of Interest Disclosure Policy statement which reads as follows:

Conflict of Interest Disclosure Policy

Outside and Secondary Employment

The Academy’s Office of Human Resources recognizes that some employees or Board members may elect to engage in various types of employment or professional or business interests. Such employment or interests are not inappro-priate or prohibited; however, the Office of Human Resources of the Ida B. Wells Community Academy must first approve any secondary or outside employment (broadly defined to include educational activities) in which employees or Governors may be engaged so that it can address any possible conflict of interest or conflict with normal work hours required for an individual's employment with the Ida B. Wells Community Academy or clash with the individual’s duties and responsibilities as a member of the Board. This rule is similar to, but does not conflict with the Faculty and Staff Handbook, which regulates the conditions allowing faculty and staff to attend continuing education and professional development credit bearing classes or workshops during work hours.

This policy is to be placed in the Academy’s Faculty and Staff Handbook as Appendix Q. The policy is not retroactive. It becomes effective on January 1, 2006.

GUIDELINES:

      •       Notify your Supervisor or Board Chairperson of your intent to engage in outside or secondary employment;
      •       Upon approval of your Supervisor or Board Chairperson, you as an employee or Board member must com-plete and submit a Secondary Employment Inquiry request and receive formal approval of your supervisor or the Human Resources Officer. This request for approval should be drafted to include any pertinent information, nature of job, compensation and hours of employment, class schedule, your signature and date line as well as the approval signatures and date lines for your Instructional Leader and Board Chairperson or his designee;
      •       Each request for approval will be decided on a case-by-case basis by the Human Resources Officer in consul-tation with the Chief Administrative Officer or his / her designee and consistent with: (1) The Faculty and Staff Handbook as to the compatibility of the outside employment or business Interest and the Ida B. Wells Commu-nity Academy, and (2) Ohio Revised Code standards on conflict of interest and independence (Chapter § 102.02. Duty to File Disclosure Statement with Ethics Commission);
    •    No Academy employee may be employed by any non-public or for-profit educational entity; and
    •    The decision of whether an employee may engage in outside employment will be based on many factors including, but not limited to, the following:

    Exclusions:

         •    Both actual and potential appearances of impropriety or conflict of interest will be considered to protect the public confidence in the Ida B. Wells Community Academy.
         •    No employee may work for a vendor with which the Ida B. Wells Community Academy conducts business.
         •    Employees are not to engage in outside or secondary employment to the extent that it impairs performance in their regular assigned duties. Supervisors are to monitor their employees' performance to determine whether outside or secondary employment is interfering with their performance, and if so, they are to take  appropriate corrective action.
         •    Employees are cautioned to consider carefully the demands that additional work activity will create before requesting permission to seek or accept outside employment broadly defined. Outside employment will not be considered an excuse for poor job performance, absenteeism, tardiness, leaving early, refusal to travel, or refusal to work overtime or different hours. If outside work activity does cause or contribute to job-related problems, it must be discontinued; and, if necessary, disciplinary procedure will be followed to deal with the specific problems.

        Exceptions

             •      Eligible employees or board members may accept teaching positions at charter schools, faith-based educa-tional instructional agencies, state colleges, universities, and / or trade or technical schools.
             •      Employees are permitted to accept coaching and volunteer positions with local school districts.

The Board of Governors approved this policy statement being added to the Corporation’s Bylaws as an amendment.

  F.      Interpretation of ODE Contract

Whenever any provisions of these Bylaws are in conflict with the provisions of the ODE / LCESC Contract, the provisions of the ODE / LCESC Contract controls.

XII. AMENDMENTS

A majority of the Governors may adopt, amend or repeal these Bylaws.

CERTIFICATE OF BOARD SECRETARY

The undersigned does hereby certify that the undersigned is the Board Secretary of the Ida B. Wells Community Academy, a nonprofit public
benefit corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the Ohio Revised Code, Chapter 1702: Nonprofit Corporation Law, that the
foregoing Bylaws of said corporation were duly and regularly adopted as such by the Board of Governors of said corporation, which Governors
are the only members of said corporation; and that the above and foregoing Bylaws are now in full force and effect.

/s/ Cynthia Y. Shotwell
Cynthia Y Shotwell,
Secretary 

Originally adopted on April 7, 1999
Revised on November 8, 2002
Updated on November 11, 2005

                   
              

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