Scattergood Friends School Committee

Proposed minutes   7/14/2001

The School Committee met on Saturday, July 14th at the Radisson Hotel in Iowa City.

Members present:  Joe Davison, Burt Kisling, Jeff Kisling, Bruce Rohwer, Lucy Hansen, Dan Treadway, Bob Winchell, Perry-O Sliwa and Lynn Chakoian

Absent:  Ron Knight, George Welch, Richard Johnson, Barb Garlinghouse, Jim Kenney and Lowell Wilson.

Staff members present:  Jan Luchini, Margie Figgins, Nan Fawcett, Nancy Ryan, Joey Giffen-Hunter and David Rossell.

9:14 a.m.  After a moment of silence, the committee met in Executive Session.  The Director's Self Evaluation was distributed.

10:20 a.m.  Committee met in regular session with school staff. 

The minutes of the 5/12/2001 meeting were approved with changes.

Lucy Hansen, as Acting Director, distributed the Acting Director's report.

Technology

The new technology plan, written by David Rossell, was distributed for study, to be discussed for changes and/or approval at the next meeting.

David mentioned that both heat and humidity are a problem in both the area housing the computer network servers and the adjacent document storage area.  Representatives from a local air conditioning company are already scheduled to evaluate the situation.  David said the laptop computer program was initiated with a remarkable lack of significant problems, and the school staff deserve credit for their efforts to integrate them into the curriculum.

When asked about the impact of the laptops on community life, Nan related how the Dean's advisory committee discussed, then recommended that no laptops would be allowed to be used during extra 45, which was appreciated by all.

The laptops proved useful during the Phonathon by allowing students to search for and (sometimes) find phone numbers using Internet directories.  This also allowed some students who didn't feel comfortable making the phone calls to participate in another way.

David provided an extensive and well thought out description of the E-rate program by which the Federal government has made funds available for technology development, and the implications of the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) recently passed by Congress.  The CIPA basically states the institutions applying for E-rate funds must have certain filters in place which effectively block access to certain types of Internet content.  The application for E-rate funds is complex, and with David leaving as Technology Coordinator, his replacement would have a steep learning curve.  While the school received approximately $60,000 over the last 3 years for the network infrastructure and telephone bills, funds for the coming year would be approximately $5000.   For all these reasons, it was felt the school should no longer apply for E-rate funds, with the possible exception of money for help with this past year's telephone bills.

The School Committee wishes to express its appreciation to David Rossell and the school staff for their work and success in introducing the laptop computers into the school community and the academic program.

12:00 p.m.  Break for lunch

12:55 p.m. The committee reconvenes.

Farm

The number of livestock on the farm was purposely reduced since Belle is gone this summer.

Finances

Jan distributed and discussed the current financial statement.  The Five Year Operating Budget Projections was also handed out.

By monitoring expenditures and relating them to the budget, the year is expected to end with a balanced budget.

First Star is proposing higher fees for services.  Jan is monitoring this and exploring alternatives.

Direct deposit for staff payroll is now available.

Nominating committee

Dan distributed a list the year each committee member's term ends, and a list showing how Monthly Meetings were represented by committee members.  He also distributed a list of current subcommittee assignments.  He suggested Bob Winchell be changed from  a co-opted member to member from Des Moines Valley Meeting.  Dan asked for suggestions for other members prior to the Iowa Yearly Meeting sessions, when new members of the committee would be considered for approval.

Development

The Phonathon resulted in pledges for over $20,000.  As mentioned above, students with laptops helped look up telephone numbers using Internet directories.

The classes of 1950-53 held a reunion on campus, and helped raise money to exceed (approximately $60,000) what was then thought to be the cost of the sound wall ($50,000).  As contractors have begun to look into the sound wall construction, though, it appears the actual cost may be significantly higher.  The appropriate people are being contacted to determine how this discrepancy occurred, what the actual cost will be, and how to proceed.

A new category of designated donations is proposed to provide financial aid for students for school trips.  Nan pointed out that a student has never been prevented from participating in a trip due to lack of funds, but some parents are uncomfortable incurring a debt to the school to cover the cost.

Since last committee meeting Ken, school staff and school committee members have been working on developing two questionnaires related to the school.  One is related to interest in summer workshops or work crews at the school, which grew out of Ken's ideas and discussions with the Quaker Family Network and last summer's Yearly Meeting sessions as possible ways to strengthen connections between the school and it's extended communities.  The other survey seeks input related to Scattergood's current programs, including the newsletter, Web site, alumni affairs and the Friends in Residence program.

It was stressed that adequate numbers of surveys must be received if the data is to have any validity.  They are being sent to the entire Iowa Yearly Meeting (C) directory, and the entire school mailing list.  In addition, they will be posted on QuakerNet.  If adequate numbers of the summer survey are returned, they will form the basis for the Friday afternoon presentation at this summer's Yearly Meeting sessions.  Lucy, Barb, Perry-O, Nancy and Jeff will be working on planning this.

Admissions

Erin could not be present, but her report was distributed.  There is a waiting list for the boys dorm.

Long Range Plan

John Braman, the new head of ISACS (who has some experience with Friends schools) is interested in helping with this year's long range planning retreat.  November 30th is a tentative date.

Scattergood Friends School Foundation

The Foundation is working to transfer funds from the Fiduciary to Westwood Funds.  The Foundation is continuing work on the revision of the agreement between the Foundation and the school.

The proposed SFSC dates were reviewed and left unchanged.

The annual report to Iowa Yearly Meeting (C) was reviewed and suggestions were made.

Perry-O and Joe reviewed how the meeting went.  Perry-O states David's explanation of E-rates was very informative.  Joe stated too much time was spent discussing changes to last meeting's minutes.

2:50 p.m.   The meeting adjourned after a moment of silence.

Jeff Kisling

Recording Clerk