We serve approximately 22,000 students at 37 elementary, middle, and high schools. Approximately 55% of students come from homes where English is not the primary language spoken. Combined, our students and families speak 55 different languages and hail from 91 countries of origin. In PPSD, the teachers and leaders set high expectations for academic achievement, provide equal access to differentiated instruction, and endeavor to close the achievement and opportunity gap among historically marginalized subgroups within the schools. PPSD is a great place for those who desire an environment that supports their creativity and ingenuity, and respects their credentials and abilities as a teacher.
Position Summary
The School Board Services Coordinator serves as the principal governance, administrative, policy, and operational support professional to the Providence School Board (“Board”). The Coordinator is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the Board and providing comprehensive support to the Board in carrying out its statutory governance, oversight, and policymaking responsibilities
The Board Coordinator shall be appointed and evaluated by the Superintendent. They shall report directly to Board Leadership for direction, and coordinate regularly with the Superintendent’s Chief of Staff regarding ongoing assignments and projects or the need for information or work product from District staff.
Reports To: Providence School Board Leadership
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Board Governance & Administrative Services
- Coordinate and schedule all Board and Board Committee meetings, to include securing a quorum, timely posting in compliance with the Open Meetings Act, and organization, and distribution of all informational materials to members in advance of each meeting, preferably one week in advance as feasible.
- In consultation with the Superintendent, Board President and the Committee Chairs, prepare agendas for all Board and Committee meetings.
- Support the Board President and Committee Chairs with meeting preparation.
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Staff all Board meetings, Committee meetings, Board leadership meetings, President/Superintendent “check in” meetings, meetings with external partners, and other meetings as assigned.
- Prepare meeting notes, summaries, and follow-up documentation, and ensure transfer of documents to the Board as needed (e.g., policies from Policy Committee and contracts and budget documents from Finance Committee).
- Maintain records of all Board actions and Committee recommendations to include motions, action items, and policy readings (1st and 2nd readings).
- Ensure timely posting of Board meeting minutes.
- Maintain Board calendars, governance work plans, and annual planning schedules.
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Coordinate and schedule Board retreats, workshops, strategic planning sessions, and special meetings.
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Monitor Board directives and assignments through completion.
Board–Administration Coordination
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Serve as the primary liaison between the Board and Superintendent, with attention to assisting Board in maintaining distinction between Board governance and Superintendent operational and administrative responsibilities.
- Coordinate Board requests for information with District administration.
- Assist in communicating Board actions and directives, and monitor implementation of Board directives as assigned.
Constituent & Community Services
- Coordinate with the Chief of Staff to ensure constituent concerns involving District operations are referred through the appropriate administrative channels, while governance-related matters are addressed through the Board Office.
- Respond to governance-related inquiries from community members and stakeholders.
- Coordinate and schedule public hearings, community listening sessions, Board-sponsored events, and public engagement initiatives.
- Serve as a liaison between the Board and community organizations, elected officials, municipal departments, advocacy organizations, and the public.
- Assist with Board communications and community outreach efforts.
Events & School Visits
- Plan, coordinate, and manage Board events and official functions.
- Coordinate with the Chief of Staff and appropriate District departments to schedule Board visits to schools, District facilities, and official District events in a manner that minimizes disruption to school operations.
- Organize Board attendance at graduations, ribbon cuttings, ceremonies, community meetings, and District events.
- Coordinate recognition ceremonies, proclamations, awards, and special Board initiatives.
- Manage event logistics, scheduling, and coordination with District departments and external partners.
Research, Drafting & Overall Governance Support
- Conduct governance, legislative, and educational policy research as directed by the Board and Board Committees.
- Conduct research on “national best practices” and prepare summary reports reflecting findings.
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Maintain communication with national organizations and nonprofit entities supporting school committees and boards, and as needed, access relevant and topical summary reports and guidance documents for Board consideration and review to ensure that the Board remains aware of recent trends and best practices.
- Draft and amend Board policies at the direction of the Policy Committee, and track/monitor the progress of policy development and adoption in accordance with the process set forth in Board Policy.
- In consultation with legal counsel and District leadership, monitor Board policies for compliance with federal and state law and adherence to Board Goals and Guardrails and Core Beliefs.
Compliance & Records Management
- Maintain official Board records.
- Maintain the Board Policy Manual.
- Ensure adopted policies are published and disseminated.
- Maintain governance calendars, compliance schedules, and statutory deadlines.
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Organize Board records in accordance with applicable records retention requirements.
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Support compliance with the Rhode Island Open Meetings Act and Access to Public Records Act.
- Coordinate with the Manager to the Superintendent and the School Board .
Professional Development & Training
- Coordinate, schedule, plan and facilitate orientation for newly elected and appointed Board members.
- Organize governance workshops and professional development sessions.
- Coordinate Board training related to governance, ethics, finance, policy, and legal responsibilities.
Qualifications
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Required: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Public Administration or a closely related field
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Masters’ degree in Public Administration (MPA) or a closely related field is highly preferred.
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Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience supporting a governing body, public board, governmental agency, school district, nonprofit governing board, or comparable organization or equivalent experience.
- Demonstrated experience in governance support, policy development, legislative research, public administration, or board operations.
- Experience planning, organizing, and coordinating public meetings, Board events, community engagement activities, and official functions.
- Strong understanding of public education governance, school district operations, and the respective roles of governing boards and executive leadership.
- Knowledge of, or experience working with, the Providence Public School District, urban public education systems, or comparable educational organizations is strongly preferred.
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Excellent written, verbal, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills.
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Ability to exercise discretion, maintain confidentiality, and manage multiple priorities in a complex public governance environment.
EEO Statement
Providence Public Schools is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer that is actively seeking to increase minority recruitment among its administrators and teaching staff. PSD does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, sex, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, color, disability or veteran status. All programs are open to all individuals, regardless of their race, age, sex, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, color, disability or veteran status.
Notice of E-Verify Participation and Right to Work
Providence Public School District participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all participating employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. Please review the following posters for more information:
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Notice of E-Verify Participation (English/Spanish)
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IER Right to Work Poster (English/Spanish)
