The minutes from October 1, 2005 were approved as amended.
The Committee was reminded to have the two texts Irene Henry asked to be reviewed for the April 8th retreat: Governance Handbook for Friends School, and the Principles of Good Faith. If either copy is needed, contact Jan.
Many positive suggestions are seen in the report.
A change was recommended for step 4 in the major recommendations so that it would include the following reaction statement at the end: "The use of the wording 'modern day' and 'transform' feels like unnecessary comments. As a committee of a Yearly Meeting, we are aware our principal responsibility to Iowa Yearly Meeting is to maintain the school as a Quaker institution, and therefore, our values may not be congruent with modern day transformation."
Discussion was held on the recommendations made for the Academic program to which the school disagreed. The Academic Committee recommends formalizing the Humanity skills in Scope and Sequence for each grade level. This would change the response to the Humanities section to be in agreement with the recommendation.
In the section addressing the school's kitchen and breakfast, it was felt the response could include the ideas that breakfast is encouraged, healthy snacks are out and often shared during the morning, and students often eat after Collection.
To the governance and decision-making section, the Committee had the following responses:
Auditor's Report: A discussion was held on the Director's response to the auditor's comments. The audit was approved.
Insurance: The coverage is adequate, and the premiums are reasonable. The values of the buildings need to be upgraded. Jaye Wallace has voluntarily provided insurance consultation.
Minute: Ed will draft a note of thanks to Jaye, and Debbie will hand write the note and send it to her. A school sweatshirt will be given to Jaye, as well.
Jan has made a chart we'll review in the mail or email in the next few days. It is a communication chart for who has to be contacted in certain events. It includes a time frame and how the contact will be made. This will meet a goal of Jan's set as a response to the School Committee's evaluation.
The committee recommended that the Academic Coordinator not be required to teach a course because of the workload the position carries. The Director will take this under advisement.
The Statement of Income/Expense for the year was presented. Jan suggested that enrollment; endowment; resources, utilities, and sustainability; and donor network are the greatest concern for future years.
Joey reported that work progresses on schedule for the addition to the Main. Plumbing and electrical work at the Cottage are not on schedule.
Nan shared that Iowa Yearly Meeting clerk, Deborah Fisch, will be leading a clerking workshop January 19th for the community. Six students plan to attend the Quaker Youth Leadership Conference in February. Comments from the committee's meeting were shared. Additional orientation is wanted by students on unprogrammed worship after the beginning of the school year. Quaker eldering is desired.
Margie continues to work hard on the Capital Campaign goals.
Image Audit: This audit will be on-line for Iowa Yearly Meeting's and other Yearly Meetings' input. Margie wants to provide a draft letter for introduction of this audit and an introduction from the research company. The letter is to provide a comfort for her in approaching Monthly Meetings as an ambassador of the audit and of the school. Other private and possible feeder schools with unique educational programs have expressed an interest in the process of the Image Audit. It is being considered how to include questions in the audit that will give those institutions helpful feedback for their programs. For Monthly Meetings the focus will be on developing general questions about First Day programs or teaching and presenting Quaker values with their youth. This ultimately will result in three surveys and multiple versions of introductory letters.
The new vision statement is included in the brochure that is in the annual report.
Perry-O is not returning to the School Committee. The farm committee would appreciate more membership. Mark Lam was suggested as a co-opted member. He is from the Whittier area and from the Scattergood class of 1976. Callie will talk with Mark.
There are a possible six new students at mid-year. New students at mid-year will be presented with a more organized orientation than previously held.
The committee is gathering, reviewing, and updating job descriptions.
Adam will assess those individuals' experiences that are piloting the new tablet laptops. Committee members can get discounts on buying computers. A suggestion was made to change the committee's name to Electrical Technology.