SCHOOL LEGAL STATUS

The American School of Bombay was formed under the auspices of the American Consulate in 1981. On June 16, 1998, the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi, gave permission to open the American School of Bombay (ASB) to serve children of foreign nationals. ASB is governed by The American School of Bombay Education Trust (ASBET). ASBET is a legally recognized Indian entity. The setting up of the American School of Bombay was cleared by the Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs vide its “No Objection” letter No. DII/ 451(14/29)/87, dated June 16, 1988. The School is permitted to admit children of Indian Nationals based on the MEA guidelines as stated in its letter No. 1312/JS(AMS)/01 dated August 7, 2001, on a self-governing basis. The American School of Bombay Education Trust ('the Trust') was established on May 10, 1990, to conduct the School's activities, existing solely for educational purposes and not for the purpose of profit. The Trust is registered under Section 6 (1) of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 1976, (FCRA) vide letter No. II/21022/68(141)/90-FCRA-III dated February 11, 1991, from the FCRA division of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. The Trust was granted Income tax exemption vide order No. F. No.CCIT/MUM/10(23C)(vi)/152/2007-08 dated March 31, 2008, issued by The Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, Mumbai. The laws also confer on the Board of Trustees and/or its delegated executive officer, the Head of School, the authority to develop policy and make regulations for the transaction of school business and orderly administration of the affairs of the Trust. Governance of the school is delegated by ASBET to the Board of Trustees.

AMERICAN SCHOOL OF BOMBAY EDUCATION TRUST

The American School of Bombay (ASB) Trust Deed is the principal guideline for the development and administration of the school. All by-laws and policies approved by the Board of Trustees must be consistent with the Trust Deed.

Cross References

1.000 - School Legal Status

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

The Board of Trustees sets key policies and major programs for the school while delegating daily operations and implementation to the Head of School.

The Board of Trustees will appoint a qualified Head of School who is the chief executive officer of the school.  The Head of School is the only School Employee who reports directly to the Board of Trustees.

The Board requires regular updates from the Head of School on academics, finances, operations, strategic plans, projects, staff performance and satisfaction, and relationships with government, parents, and other stakeholders.

The Board's key responsibilities include:

• Establishing Trustee election process

• Hiring, supporting, and evaluating the Head of School

• Establishing and enforcing governance policies

• Overseeing the school’s financial health

• Engaging and communicating with the school community

Cross References:

2.000 Board of Trustees Legal Status

2.010 Powers and Duties of the Board

2.020 Trustee Authority and Liability

2.030 Trustee Responsibilities

2.040 Trustee Compensation and Expenses

2.050 Trustee Conflict of Interest

2.060 Board of Trustees Self-Evaluation

2.070 Board Policy Manual

2.100 Board of Trustees Membership

2.110 Election of Trustees

2.115 U.S Consul General on the Board of Trustees

2.120 Appointments to the Board of Trustees

2.130 Board of Trustees Member Orientation

2.135 First Meeting of the New Board

2.140 Resignation of Trustees

2.150 Trustee Removal from Office

2.160 Vacancies on the Board of Trustees

2.200 Board Officers

2.210 Board Committees

2.220 Board of Trustees - Head of School Relationship

2.300 Regular Board Meeting

2.305 Closed Sessions of the Board of Trustees

2.310 General Meetings of ASB Education Trust

2.315 Annual General Meeting

2.320 Extraordinary General Meetings

2.330 Meeting Agendas

2.340 Quorum

2.350 Meeting Conduct and Parliamentary Procedure

2.360 Board of Trustees Voting Method

2.370 Parents' and Faculty Members' Attendance at Board Meetings

2.380 Board Meeting Minutes

2.400 Board Policy Development

2.410 Policy Implementation

2.420 Ongoing Policy Review and Evaluation

2.430 Board of Trustees Role in Review of Regulations

2.440 Administration in the event of conflict or absence of policy

2.445 Suspension of Policies

2.500 Amendment of By-Laws

PHILOSOPHY, MISSION STATEMENT AND CORE VALUES

Mission Statement

The American School of Bombay inspires all our students to continuous inquiry, empowering them with the skills, courage, optimism, and integrity to pursue their dreams and enhance the lives of others.

Core Values

We believe that…

Personal

• Each person has equal intrinsic value.

• People are responsible for the choices they make.

• All people have potential for growth.

• Internal motivation is the most powerful driver of learning and success.

• A balanced lifestyle is the essence of well-being.

Interpersonal

• Mutual trust and respect are essential for healthy, enduring relationships.

• Embracing our interdependence is vital for the community to flourish.

• Practice, perseverance, and reflection are integral to a culture of excellence.

• We are the trustees of our environment.

Cross References:

2.010 Powers and Duties of the Board

STUDENT SAFEGUARDING

ASB is committed to providing a safe environment for its students. All members of the community will ensure the safety and well-being of every student.

ASB endorses the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, of which the School’s host country, India, is a signatory. The School defines child safeguarding according to the definition developed by the Global Safeguarding Consortium:

“Safeguarding is defined as the actions an organization takes on behalf of children and all community members to enable the best outcomes which:

• promote well-being;

• protect the rights of the child and human rights;

• prevent impairment of children’s healthy development;

• reduce the risk of neglect, social, emotional, sexual, and physical abuse.”

The School defines child abuse as “the physical or emotional maltreatment, sexual molestation, exploitation, or neglect of a child or children by an adult or another child.”

The School defines grooming as “inappropriate conduct by adults towards children that could reasonably lead to the appearance of impropriety, including but not limited to flirting; making suggestive comments; dating; requests for sexual activity; physical displays of affection; giving inappropriate personal gifts, intimidation, inappropriate personal communication with a student (including but not limited to phone, e-mail, letters, notes, social networking sites): and engaging inappropriate activities (such as, but not limited , to smoking, consuming alcohol or narcotics); communication with students outside of School-approved platforms.”

The School relies on preventative and responsive practices to uphold these definition and reduce risk, ensure child protection, and respond effectively to situations that are harmful to students and the School community.

Preventative Practices

ASB follows safe hiring practices that include background checks for all employees, independent contractors, and other adults. These practices exceed the requirements of Maharashtra law. In addition, ASB trains all Staff and personnel who directly or indirectly interact with students on the safety and well-being of children, including mandatory reporting requirements and procedures. All adults working/engaging with students without supervision are required to sign the Code of Conduct each year.

Responsive Practices

All adults in the ASB community members including, but not limited to: Employees, Independent Contractors, volunteers, student teachers, and coaches are required to report suspected incidences of suspected or disclosed child abuse.

If a student in the ASB community is suspected of being abused by an ASB Employee, another adult on campus, or another student at ASB, the School will conduct a full inquiry following a carefully designed course of due process as outlined in Employee handbook and the crisis manual. The safety and well-being of the student will remain at the highest priority. In cases of suspected child abuse outside school, the School will take steps to ensure the student and family avail themselves of services needed to remedy any situation that constitutes child abuse.

Reporting and follow up of all suspected incidences of child abuse will proceed in accordance with procedures of the School and provisions of Indian law, including The Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act, 2012.

The Head of School is responsible for ensuring that regulations and procedures to ensure student safeguarding are in place in alignment with the following areas:

• Personnel and Professional Development

• Curricular and Extracurricular Programs

• Facilities

• Communications

• Responding to Allegations

• Recruitment

• Parents/Community

• Auditing and Updating regulations and procedures

Legal References:

8.245 Safeguarding - Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination

6.420 Safeguarding - Harassment, Bullying, and Discrimination at Work

6.241 Background Checks for Student Safeguarding

HOST COUNTRY GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

The Board of Trustees is responsible for maintaining positive relations with the Indian government.

The Head of School or their designee act as the principal liaison with government officials.

All official agreements with the Indian government are subject to approval by the Board of Trustees.

Cross References:

2.010 Powers and Duties of the Boards

3.110 Powers and Duties of the Head of School

PARENT, EMPLOYEE, AND STUDENT INVOLVEMENT IN DECISION-MAKING

The Board of Trustees values and encourage community (Employees, parents, and students) participation and will give due consideration to the opinions and advice offered.

Such participation may include, as appropriate, involvement in the:

• Executive team of the Parent Community Association (PCA)

• Council of Advisors

• Strategic Planning process

• Classroom projects and activities including Community and Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives

• Community surveys

• Community partnerships

• Recruiting Leadership Team members

• Planning Facilities

• Developing programs such as Host Country Studies

The Head of School will provide and encourage opportunities for Employees and students to voice their views in the development of the School.

Cross References:

3.200 Leadership Team

7.330 Host Country Studies Program

7.340 Community Social Responsibility (CSR) Program

8.150 Student Involvement in Decision-Making

SCHOOL ORGANIZATION

The Head of School will implement policies established by the Board of Trustees and ensure the School achieves its Mission . The School will reflect democratic principles in its own organization and procedures, recognizing that the successful operation of the school is a shared responsibility.

Employee of the school is responsible to the Head of School, who is responsible to the Board of Trustees.

The school is organized as follows:

1. The Board of Trustees establishes general policies governing the operation of the school.

2. The Head of School makes recommendations to the Board of Trustees and implements the Board's policy decisions.

3. The Principal of each school division and other designated administrators recommend effective means of implementing policy and coordinate school-wide procedures for ensuring and evaluating learning.

4. Teachers implement school regulations, deliver the content of the curriculum to meet the needs of students, and ensure student progress in learning.

5. The Support Staff implement school regulations and perform their duties.

Lines of Responsibility

The following principles will apply:

1. Most Employees will be responsible to only one supervisor. In some cases, an Employee may be responsible to two supervisors when their responsibilities cross divisions or departments.

2. Each Employee will know who supervises them

3. All Employees should first approach their supervisor for matters requiring administrative action

Cross References:

1.100 Philosophy, Mission Statement and Core Values

6.000 Personnel Definitions

SCHOOLS AND LEVEL OF INSTRUCTION

The American School of Bombay is a coeducational and non-sectarian institution, offering an American‐style curriculum to students eligible to attend as per the laws and regulations of the government of India.

The grade levels offered at ASB are organized into schools as follows:

SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION (PRINCIPALSHIP)

The Principal of each school (Elementary, Middle and High) will direct day-to-day operation in conformity with the principles established in the statutes of the American School of Bombay Education Trust, Board policy, and administrative regulations issued by the Head of School.

Each Principal will:

• report directly to the Head of School;

• maintain proper records and reports;

• report to parents about student progress and school affairs;

• enforce school policies;

• participate in development of the annual budget;

• orient the instructional staff;

• supervise and evaluate the performance of instructional personnel;

• direct the improvement of instruction;

• promote a cooperative and productive working relationship among staff members, community members and students;

• oversee and provide appropriate co-curricular programs;

• implement and enforce safeguarding practices

SCHOOL YEAR AND CALENDAR

The Board of Trustees will adopt the School calendar for the ensuing School year. The Head of School will submit a recommended calendar to the Board in advance of their December meeting. The School calendar will provide for a minimum of 180 student contact days. Teachers will work no fewer than 192 days each school year.

The Board of Trustees recognizes that early dismissal will sometimes be required or advisable. Each early dismissal day will count as a full day.

EMERGENCY CLOSINGS/MAKE-UP OF CLOSING DAYS

The Head of School has the authority to temporarily close the School if safety is at risk due to actual or potential hazards. This decision will be made in consultation with the Board President or their designee and, when possible, relevant staff or community safety agencies.

In situations deemed suitable for virtual learning, the Head of School is authorized to move in-person learning to an online environment. In such cases, the day will count as an instructional day.

Only the Head of School or their designee may make public announcements or media statements.

The Board of Trustees may reschedule instructional days lost due to emergency closures.