Scattergood Friends School Committee
Approved
Minutes – February 21, 1998
The
School Committee met on Saturday, February 21, 1998, at 9:00 am on the
Scattergood Friends School campus.
The
meeting opened with a period of silence.
Members present included: Burt
Kisling, Lucy Hansen, Dan Treadway, Kathy Standing-Cordero, Bruce Rohwer, Ron
Knight, Kent Luetke-Stahlman, Dana Harr, Bob Rye, Joe Davison, Jim
Cottingham. Staff members present
included: Ken Hinshaw, Karla Hanson,
Nancy Ryan, Dena Miller, Maryellen Lamson.
The
November 22, 1997, minutes were reviewed and approved. Burt reminded the Committee that there are
regularly schedule items which appear on the agenda, such as raising tuition,
but you can have topics added by simply letting Burt know prior to the meeting.
Burt
has been in contact with Elaine Hansen has regretfully informed the committee
of her decision to resign from the School Committee. The SFSC accepts the
resignation of Elaine Hansen.
Director’s Report – Ken Hinshaw presented this
report. (See attached.) The ISACS self-study has received favorable
review and we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the visiting team on March
1. Twenty students and two staff
members (Kate Yoder and James O’Gorman) will be leaving for Nicaragua on March
23 and will return April 15. This trip
replaces the customary trip to Mexico.
All of the seniors have been accepted into at least one college or
university. The new phone system has
been installed and we are still trying to work some of the bugs out of it. Overall, the feelings are positive on
campus, despite what seems to be a long winter with few breaks.
As
discussed at the last meeting, the travel reimbursement policy is now in
place. Each SFSC member is asked to
complete a travel reimbursement form on the day of the meeting. Mileage will be reimbursed at a rate of
$.25/mile and hotel accomodations (in the event that Berquist House is full)
will be reimbursed up to $50. If a
Committee Member wishes to donate this money to the school, he or she is asked
to cash the check and then write a personal check to the school. Nancy Ryan urged everyone to contribute to
the school, so that we can reach our goal of 100% participation from SFSC
members.
Instruction Committee – No written report. Richard Johnson has been working closely
with Maryellen Lamson on ISACS accreditation process. On Sunday at 6:00 pm, March 1, there will be a reception in Ardith’s
apartment for the Visiting Team. School
Committee members are encouraged to attend.
The Visiting Team will be on-campus Monday and Tuesday meeting with
staff members and students. On March 3
at 4:30 pm they would like to meet with SFSC members. Wednesday, March 4 will be the exit report by Mark Neidermeier at
2:30 in the social room. Preliminary
feedback on the self-study has been extemely positive and we are looking
forward to a great visit with the ISACS Visiting Team.
Facilities Committee – The Facilities Committee
met on February 19 and reviewed a list of potential projects for the upcoming
year. This list will be reviewed at the
May 16 SFSC meeting. A few items that
may be included in this list include:
student lounge improvements, enclose the machine shop, staff housing
improvements, sidewalk repairs/replacement, auditorium improvements, technology
improvements, kiln enclosure, staff car and bike garage, gym and weightroom,
sound abatement, and art building improvements.
Financial Report – Some points of interest
include the following:
1.
The
number reported in “Other Revenue” is due to the sale of the Smith Farm.
2.
Miscellaneous
Expense is high due to costs associated with ISACS.
3.
The
Nicaragua Trip is more expensive than Mexico Trip. Parents are being asked to contribute a minimum of $600 for
airfare.
4.
Tuition
revenue will be a little lower than expected due to several international
students departure at midyear.
Changes
in the 97-98 Capital Plan are as follows:
1.
Gymnasium
– Increase by $1,000
2.
Cottage
Siding – On hold
4.
Science
Building Access – Increase by $1,000
5.
Sidewalk
Repairs – Decrease by $2,500
6.
Work
Crew & Maintenance Equipment – Increase by $1,000
7.
Van
– On hold
8.
Auto
Garage and Maintenance Shop – Increase by $1,640
9.
Toilet
Replacement – Increase by $1,000
10.
Add
Road Repairs $1,000
11.
Add
Tree Project $1,000
The
Facilities Committee recognized the great work of business manager, Jan
Luchini, in tracking and reporting the school finances in an accurate and
legible manner.
Dave
Rossell has been working with Grant Wood AEA on acquiring USF funding (e-rate
money) by writing a proposal for internet access and campus networking of the
buildings within the circle. We are
estimating a cost of approximately $50,000 to do the proposed work and the
e-rate money could cover as much as 70% of those costs.
Farm Report – No written report.
Development – Bruce Rohwer presented
the written report. (See attached) This committee has been working on developing
a yearly calendar of events to increase effectiveness of guidelines already in
place. Kent Luetke-Stahlman talked
about the benefits of attending FGC and having more Scattergood representatives
available, especially since it is relatively close (Wisconsin) this year.
Spiritual Life – No written report.
Dena
Miller distributed an Admissions Report and also encouraged SFSC members to
take admission packets with them to distribute to anyone interested in learning
more about Scattergood.
The
SFSC went into executive committee following brunch to discuss reappointment of
the Director. The School Committee
offered to renew Kenneth Hinshaw’s contract as Director for the 1998-99 fiscal
year, and this offer was accepted by Ken.
Burt
reviewed the report from Lee Neff, the woman who presented the Board Training
at the last meeting. It was agreed that
the training was worthwhile, but the Committee may benefit from a longer
session in the future.
Retreat – The SFSC Retreat will take place on March 14. The primary focus will be Long Range Planning. Reck Niebuhr, who is a former VP of Temple University and had children who attended Quaker schools, has donated his time and expenses to lead the discussions.
Recording
Clerk
Mailing
List
Not
Present (16)
Kay Meyer
Deb Fisch
Alice Hampton
Richard Johnson
George Welch
Larry Marsh
Wilmer Tjossem
Barbara Barrett
Dwight Schumm
Roy Hampton
Judy Cottingham
Darlyne Neff
Deb Suess
Barb Garlinghouse
Bob Berquist
Bill Deutsch
Present
(11)
Burt Kisling
Lucy Hansen
Dan Treadway
Kathy Cordero
Bruce Rohwer
Ron Knight
Kent Luetke-Stahlman
Dana Harr
Bob Rye
Joe Davison
Jim Cottingham.