Scattergood Friends School Committee

Minutes July, 2002

Committee Members Present:

Joe Davison, Barb Garlinghouse, Lucy Hansen, Jim Kenney, Burt Kisling, Bruce Rohwer, Perry-O Sliwa, Dan Treadway, George Welch, Bob Winchel

Executive Session

Meeting opened with a moment of silence and went into Executive Session to consider the Director Evaluation Report.  It was approved as amended. Lucy will meet with Ken and discuss the report with him.

A letter to the School Committee from departing Development Director Nancy Ryan was read and discussed. Bruce is to write a thank you response from the SC. The Director was present for some of this discussion.

Open Session

Began Open session at 10:10 with another moment of silence.

Staff Present:

Nan Fawcett, Margie Figgins, Ken Hinshaw

Minutes of Last Meeting:

Add notation that no decisions were made until a quorum was present. principle->principal in consultation committee report. Minutes were approved with those changes.

Search Committee

Responses are beginning to come in, some advertisements are still to run. We are seeing a good mix of men and women. We are contacting the applicants, informing them that we're still accepting applications, and expressing interest as appropriate...

There was some discussion of a potential salary range -- In general today, it's related to the size of the school -- For schools with over 700 students, salary averages about $150,000. Small schools heads are all under $50,000. ISACS average is $85,000. Most schools include housing in addition to salary. The Specific salary range may not be a significant motivator for the director we're seeking, but we do need to have a range in mind in order to answer questions. Preliminary answer: $35,000 to $50,000 -- we've got a budget problem...

Subcommittee Reports

The director's report provided the framework for the subcommittee reports. Because this is the summer meeting, many subcommittees did not meet or did not have reports. If there was no significant discussion, they will not appear below.

Academics Committee

There was a brief discussion of fraction of graduates required to be accepted by 4-year colleges -- 80% each year -- can be accepted by 4-year as well as community college, for those who want to start with a community college.   That is, applying to both a 4-year college and a community college and being accepted by both counts, even if the student then goes to the community college and not the 4-year college.   SFS tries to get 100%, and usually come very close.

There was some discussion of who completes college -- some indication that those who drop out do so more for "family expectations" rather than for academic reasons, and SFS is doing a good job of preparation (From a parental report).

This fall we're trying having all staff & students read a book -- "The Hitchhikers' Guide to the Galaxy" ... For one month, as a community building effort.

Finances

We discussed next year's budget -- Insurance rate increases were unbelievable -- keeping the same health insurance, the increase was $100,000 -- after increasing deductibles, etc, the increase is only $30,000 -- that combined with the increasein liabilty coverage of $20,000 has created a significant problem. Recall that when comparing personnel costs between this and next year one must mentally move $20,000 from "Miscellaneous" to "Personnel Costs" to reflect the Villada family arrangements this year.. The preliminary proposed budget was reviewed and worries discussed -- it's not scheduled for approval yet ... Recognize that the 5-year budget projection from the plan was done before the laptop program, etc.

Development

  Margie has been working with Nancy to ensure a smooth transition.

Family Weekend

Worked well to connect with distant meetings, and younger children, but could have used more participation by older children. Many attendees are anticipating next year's repeat. We did have one who was reluctant to come for the weekend who has applied for admission! There were many direct questions from the parents, as well as a lot of fun for kids and staff.

A slide show from the weekend was presented during lunch.

Next year's Family Weekend will be: June 21-22, 2003...

Admissions and Enrollment

It is looking good with 55 enrolled so far and interviews ongoing.

Staffing

Ken is nearly done hiring for next year and there's a lot of excitement about some new staff members. 

Lunch was had by all

Nominating Committee

We're suggesting 3 names, although there are 5 openings, as the following have resigned from the committee, or their terms are up::

Ron Knight, Janet Cook, Richard Johnson, Jeff Kisling, Lowell Wilson

Long Range Planning

Web update system -- Joe will discuss with Jeff to see that the update system is working and usable. (Maybe a training session for the November Retreat?)

Foundation Update

Foundation Trustees are meeting Thursday. We've received $50,000 from the foundation, after difficult negotiations. There's great uncertainty about next year's funds. Ken will present information about the total amounts actually donated and the capital growth since then, to assist in reaching a policy that works for both the school and the foundation.

Yearly Meeting Report

Ken read a preliminary draft of his report to the YM, and discussed some of the potential changes.

Yearly Meeting Discussion

Innovative uses for SFS facilities... Reviewed a preliminary draft of the proposal to expand the role of the SC to oversight of SFS programs in general, rather than just in the school year...

We approved the following request to be presented:
The School Committee asks that its role be expanded beyond its historic governance of Scattergood as a boarding high school not in operation during the summer, to governance of Scattergood as an institution offering year-round opportunity for educationally oriented activities for all ages.

Meeting Schedule for next year:

Oct 5, Dec 6&7, Feb 1, March 29, May 17, July xxx (not yet determined)

The Board Development Retreat is scheduled for Dec 6, focussed on reading financial statements, among other things.

Self Evaluations.

We decided we will do written self evaluation of the school committee, using a form that is handed out in the fall.

We were given two possible questionaires last month. Please contact Lucy with comments and/or suggestions about the questionnaire we should use. After reviewing the comments, she will request help as necessary and prepare the form we will use.

Goals and Objectives.

There wasn't much energy to pursue this question, but clearly a major goal for next year is hiring a new Director, learning about financial statements, expanding the program to include summer events, and preparing to hire a Director of Development.

How'd we do:

As usual -- started well, but got bogged down... We did finish much earlier than sometimes...

Adjourned, with silence, at 3pm