Opened with silence, followed by introductions.
We decided the date for the July Meeting: July 24, 2004
We reviewed the following items from the Committee Handbook:
We approved Carmen Rohwer as a Coopted member of the school committee for an initial 3 year term.
We reaffirmed the School's Mission Statement & Non-discrimination Policy
There was some discussion of combining the admissions and hiring non-discrimintion policies -- with due attention to showing that we encourage members of the Religious Society of Friends to apply both as students and staff, and changing "children of alumni" to "people with prior connection to the school". Consider the list of non-discriminated items being the same -- but we do need to recognize that there are differences (we won't take all boys, for instance).
While there was support for combining the two statements, because of the legal considerations the topic was referred to the consultation committee, which is requested to consider a new statement of non-discrimination, run it by the lawyers, and return with a recommendation.
We decided to edit the handbook to state that changes to the non-discrimination policy must be reviewed by our legal advisors.
The following expressed interest in attending the school committee conference in Philadelphia (Pendle Hill): Bob Yeats, Sean Egan, Perry-O Sliwa.
We decided to hold the retreat on campus, starting around 10am Friday and lasting until early afternoon. Subcommittee meetings will follow the retreat
We Broke for Brunch, then resumed with introduction of staff & committee members
How would the farm raised meat compare in price to the open market, to the school? (The answer is in the proposal). We were impressed with the planning that went into the proposal, particularly how well it fit with the school's needs.
We approved the Farm Livestock Proposal.
Sean talked about how the school's incorporating Farm produce into the meal planning -- preserving the harvest for later use (frozen applesauce, roasted peppers, ...)
We approved the revised budget.
We authorized conducting a feasiblity study for a new capital campaign, and committed ourselves to supporting such a campaign. Director and staff will solicit and accept proposals within the budget, and begin to gather a taskforce to assist as needed.
There was extended discussion of the School Committee's responsibilities in fundraising. Some argue that each of us should be approaching donors, others that we must support fundraising, but only to the extent that it's within our competance. We are certainly expected to work with the consultant, and support the campaign in a variety of ways.
Discussion suggested that among the issues to be addressed should be how the money is managed during the campaign, as the way it was done last time was an additional burden on the school's business manager -- Of course we must be sensitive to the need that donors' contributions are dealt with in accordance with their wishes.
Farm report also evidenced Joey's skills at organizing jobs and ensuring the needed equipment is available.
Extended discussion of methods of recognizing contributions (in any form). Many Friends are opposed to listing names of donors (or other contributors). On the other hand, recognizing contributors publicly is a well known method of increasing contributions. We are struggling with the idea. We don't like the coercive edge -- but, in some sense, that's what increases the contributions.
Thanking volunteers as well as donors might be effective -- Dan T quoted Ben Franklin -- The best way to get someone to do something big for you is to get them to do something small for you first.
Development committee will continue to explore ideas and consulting with Friends.
All new staff is living on campus this year.