Board of School Directors

Policies

Our mission is to effectively serve urban youth in search of a positive school experience in a supportive environment. CAPCS is dedicated to offering a quality education while also responding to the non-academic student issues that can have a significant impact on academic and overall emotional/social functioning.

Repsonsibilities and Authority of the Board

The express statutory authority of Charter School Trustees is found in Section 1716-A "Powers of board of trustees" of Act 22 of 1997, The Charter School Law. The board of trustees of a charter school shall have the authority to decide matters related to the operation of the school, including, but not limited to, budgeting, curriculum and operating procedures, subject to the school's charter. The board shall have the authority to employ, discharge and contract with necessary professional and nonprofessional employees subject to the school's charter and the provisions of the Charter school Law. No member of a local board of school directors of a school entity (the School District of Philadelphia) shall serve on the board of trustees of a charter school that is located in the member's district. The board of trustees shall comply with the act of July 3, 1986 (P.L. 388, No.84), known as the "Sunshine Act."

Organization and Officers of the Board

The Community Academy of Philadelphia, Charter School, (CAPCS) has a Board of School Directors made up of nine (9) members* of which at least one (1) must be a parent of a currently enrolled child(ren), one (1) is the Chief Executive Officer, who is by the By-Laws the ex officio voting Board Secretary, and at least one (1) is traditionally an alumnus(a). In addition, the Board elects from its membership for terms of one year, a Chair, a Vice Chair, and a Treasurer. At the Annual Meeting held each year in September, the Board elects its officers for the upcoming year and reaffirms or elects the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The incumbent officers of the Board are: Chair: Jack FitzSimmons, MD, MBA; Vice Chair: Wendy Williams, MSW; Treasurer: Frank J. Viola, MA, MPA; and Secretary ex officio, Joseph Proietta EDM. The Executive Committee, made up of the Officers as stated above, is the only committee established by the By-Laws, but is one of three standing committees established by the Board. The other two standing Committees are the Education Committee chaired by vice chair Wendy Williams and the Finance Committee chaired by treasurer Frank Viola. The Finance Committee has two Sub-Committees: Budget and Audit. The Board may from time-to-time create and assign ad hoc committees to address specific issues that may come before the Board. The Chair is an ex officio member of all committees.

To see the full list and the affiliations of, or communicate with current board members, click here.

* The current membership of the Board is nine (9); however, the By-Laws do not restrict the total membership to nine.