Scattergood friends school committee

Minutes 30 March, 2002


Committee Members Present:

Janet Cook, Joe Davison, Barb Garlinghouse, Lucy Hansen, Jim Kenney, Burt Kisling, Jeff Kisling, Richard Johnson, Perry-O Sliwa, Dan Treadway, Bob Winchell, George Welch.

Staff members present:

Nan Fawcett, Margie Figgins, Ken Hinshaw, Erin Lane.

Minutes of past meeting:

 The minutes were approved as is.

Handouts

Copies for their use of ISACS A Primer for Board Members were handed out to committee members. As with the copies of the Trustee Handbook handed out last time, these copies should be returned to the school when members leave the committee.

Subcommittee Reports

The Director's Report provided the framework for the subcommittee reports.

Academics

No meeting of academic committee

Spiritual and Community Life

No written report -- Met (part of committee)

Informal report from Barb Garlinghouse:

The Friends in Residence program was discussed by the committee, which is trying to formalize the program a bit more. There is a written brochure in preparation. A wide variety of people are interested in participating in the program when schedules permit. School Committee members are encouraged to come and spend some time, whether in this program or otherwise.

The formal committee structure has been replaced by inviting participation in interesting topics -- for instance, several students came to talk with the committee last night.

The committee talked about learning environments -- one student said she was amazed that SC members, part of the governing body, actually listened to her -- This reminded Barb of the importance of effort -- it may be old hat to committee members, but it's new and exciting for the students. The students need the time to meet and spend some time with committee members, and they appreciate it.

We need to finish processing the data we collected at last year's retreat with the students -- particularly the list of learning settings. The experience revealed an important aspect to consider in planning retreats/meetings including students: Meeting while Seniors are on trips enabled younger students to come out of their shells. We handed out notes from the March 2001 workshop on learning settings[link].


No significant discussion

Facilities

Committee hasn't met -- no report, no projects underway.

Q. How's the wall working?
A. Some days it seems really quiet, others not -- it's not really completed yet, as it's not calked between the concrete panels, and it's open underneath -- that allows sound in, of course. Still haven't gotten permission to add the wooden extension. It really does make a difference in the meeting house.

Farm

There's a lot of excitement among prospective families concerning the farm. Bob Winchell donated a large mower -- we're looking forward to using it in the orchard and around the gardens.

Finances

We discussed the fact that Barbara Barrett has left the law firm, but we intend to maintain our relationship with Bradley & Riley PC, the local law firm, as she recommended.

Development

There was a brief discussion of Nancy Ryan's situation -- we're holding her in the Light. There was also Some discussion of restricted contribution for development, and the need to carry over any amount that's not used -- it can't be diverted to balance the budget unless the donor is consulted.

Admissions and Enrollment

The school recently reviewed its International Student program, with emphasis on ESL, and created three tracks students may take, see  International Admissions Process for details

Nan says Admissions is going better than it has in years; Erin is doing a great job.

There was an International Day in West Branch Elementary School with participation by the students -- it is seen as a great success!

Staffing

There was Some discussion of likely turnover when Ken leaves -- seems like usually more staff leave when the director does...

The committee broke for Brunch

Human Resources

Handed out the Recommendations regarding Employment of SC Members [link]. The reason for restricting employment for 1 year after leaving the committee is to distance the member from ongoing business -- committee members may have "inside" information. The discussion produced a few changes, which will be incorporated into the recommendation which will be presented for approval at the next meeting.

Technology Committee 

 nothing

Long Range Planning

-- The November Retreat notes have been updated and a link added to the main SFSC homepage. A link to Ken's draft "Credo" has been put in the notes, in addition to the link to Joe's Reflections. Anyone else who attended the retreat and would like to add something, either as an addition to one of the existing pages or as a separate statement is invited to send it to Joe, and he'll put it on the web.

There was some discussion of the retreat, particularly the parts that John Braman thought should be heard by those who weren't there. Here's a copy of what's on the website:

At the end John listed what he thought those not there needed to hear from the day:

Another point mentioned was the idea of Concentric Ownership -- showing the role communication plays between the concentric circles of the community...

There was also some discussion of updating the LRP within the on-going activities of the school, in such a way that the work that's done in achieving goals is actually recognized, visible, and celebrated within the school/committee.

Search Committee

The students have been picked, but may not yet have been informed. The committee is still waiting for members from IaYM(C) -- One person has been asked and agreed, another has been recommended. The Search Committee is meeting and making preparations even as it forms.

Copies of Ken's Resignation letter, the letter from Search Committee announcing the search, and an ad for the Head to be submitted to various publications were handed out.

Search Committee met with students and with staff to get desiderata for new head. The committee was impressed with the quality of input from the students -- they were on target, and enthused. Each group talked about the importance of familiarity with Quaker principles, if not a Quaker.

If you have candidates, notify Richard (Not Margie), he'll see they get applications and other information they need. (See the letter).

May Retreat

Because May is so busy, it may be better just to have the Committee members attend classes, etc, and reflect on improvements and celebrate accomplishments during ISACS cycle and recognize departing staff...

Richard suggested (for a future season) Senior Show-n-Tell --- showing the Senior Portfolio to the SC, demonstrating what they've accomplished, prior to graduation.

Summer Workshop

A Summer workshop is planned for Father's Day weekend, June 14 - 16, for Junior Hi/Prospective Students and their families. It will be announced in IaYM Midyear Meeting, newsletter, etc. Much enthusiasm was expressed for the idea. Important to have current students involved -- they'll do a great job of selling it then...

Encourage your friends to attend...

We discussed the importance of carrying the Vision to IaYM -- We need approval of the YM for SFSC to oversee appropriate uses of the School facilities outside the school year. We were surprised at the concerns raised at the time of the original suggestion to use SFS over the summer.

Think "Scattergood Year Round" as distinct from School Year Round -- different use of facilities over the summer.

For IaYM summer session, we need to prepare a discussion session Thursday to prepare for a decision at the Business meeting. Time slots have been reserved by the program committee.

A 15 minute retrospective (PPT) of the school year was proposed as something the YM would enjoy as a lead-in to the report.

Questions for YM:

  1. Does YM support use of SFS facilities over summer for uses other than educating high school youth?
  2. Will they empower the SC to oversee that as they do the rest of the program. (Perhaps being renamed to Scattergood Committee).

July Meeting:

The July School Committee meeting was rescheduled to July 13.

Critique

The assessment of the meeting was that we did a great job of staying on task, got much accomplished, and got done on time!

The meeting closed with silence at 2:00 pm.