The Harare International School’s Board of Governors has three primary responsibilities:

  1. Provide financial oversight and ensure that the school has the resources it needs to deliver a high quality education to all HIS students.
  2. Approve the long-term strategic direction of the school and set policies to support the strategic goals. The Board delegates the implementation of these policies to the Director who is responsible for the administrative operations of our school.
  3. To hire, support, and supervise the school’s director.

Click here to view the HIS Board Practices of Good Governance – February 2019

The Board consists of at least seven and up to nine members. Five members are elected by HIS parents to serve two-year terms and must be parents of students currently enrolled at HIS. Two members are appointed by the Embassy of the United States for two-year terms and at least one appointee must be a parent of a student enrolled at HIS. Up to two additional members may be appointed by the Board itself for one-year terms.

There are no specific constituencies that are entitled to representation on the Board, however HIS will benefit from board members with skills and experience in areas such as human resources, financial management, accounting, law, public relations, engineering, fundraising, business management, strategic planning, leadership, education, and the local economic context. In general the HIS Board strives to have a healthy balance of diverse perspectives, including:

  • individuals from companies, organizations or entities which have a substantial population at HIS;
  • individuals from the diplomatic community;
  • parents with children in different school divisions (Early Childhood through Grade 12);
  • private-payer and corporate fee paying parents;
  • various nationalities; and
  • short-term and long-term residents.

Board elections are held every year in May. The Elections Working Group invites interested candidates to attend an informational meeting in late April. Parents who wish to run for the Board may declare their candidacy to the Elections Working Group Chair at board@his.ac.zw to receive an application and details on the election process.

The Board has two standing committees, Finance and Governance, to develop policy and propose decisions for consideration by the Board. The Board forms additional committees or working groups as needed to address issues identified as priorities for the year. Committee membership consists of at least two Board members, interested parents, faculty or staff members, the Board Chair, and the School Director.

The primary function of the Finance Committee is to ensure the financial health and sustainability of the school. It engages in long-term financial planning, periodic reviews of fiscal management procedures, and the establishment of funding and reserves necessary to achieve and sustain a quality educational program. It is responsible for the final review and approval of the budget before it goes to the Board for adoption.

The primary function of the Governance Committee is to build and sustain an effective board for HIS to carry out its mission by ensuring board continuity, board education, good governance practices, and a strong pool of potential board candidates. It also evaluates and revises, as needed, the policies of the school and presents them to the Board for adoption.

When additional committees or working groups are needed, opportunities to participate will be communicated in the HIS Newsletter.  

The Board hosts HIS Association Meetings during the year. At these meetings HIS parents are invited to hear strategic updates from Board Committees and the Director. The Board also holds an Annual General Meeting (AGM) every May and elects new Board members.

Please check the newsletter and the HIS Calendar on the website for Association Meeting dates.

The success of our School depends on the participation of the entire HIS community. The Board seeks input from all of HIS’s stakeholders, including parents. Parents are invited to serve on committees and working groups, attend and contribute to Association Meetings, and consider standing for election to the Board.