Members of the School Committee and Staff members introduced themselves to one another.
The meeting opened with a moment of silent worship.
Lucy Hansen informed School Committee members that Dwight Schumm and Barb Garlinghouse have decided to step down from the committee.
Minute: The School Committee appreciates the contributions of Barb Garlinghouse and Dwight Schumm during their tenures as members of the Scattergood Friends School Committee. Barb was an effective convener of the Community and Spiritual Life Committee. Dwight lent his expertise to the Facilities Committee. Barb and Dwight were both members of the search committee for the School's director. The Committee thanks Barb and Dwight for their commitments to Scattergood. Approved
Lucy also informed School Committee members that Iowa Yearly Meeting Conservative's midyear meeting is April 1 & 2, 2006. Thus, the School Committee meeting will be April 8, 2006. Iowa Yearly Meeting Conservative will hold its yearly meeting July 25-30, 2006. After discussion about timing the meeting so the audit can be completed and reports to Yearly Meeting can be prepared, the School Committee scheduled their July meeting on July 22, 2006. The Committee also discussed possible subject matter for their annual retreat to be held in April. Suggestions included understanding committee responsibilities and the role of the committee, review and work on goals suggested by ISACS. Deb Galusha agreed to assist with planning the agenda and making contact with possible resource people.
The July 23, 2005 minutes were approved as written.
Lucy read the Mission Statement and the Statement of Non-discrimination. Discussion followed. A suggestion was made that the Mission Statement would be improved by the addition of a comma and the word all after "Community Life" and before "based upon Quaker values". The new wording will be printed in school publications as new copies are generated. Approved
Jan Luchini reviewed her proposed Director's goals for the year. Anita Allwood explained the Human Resources Committee's request for Jan to establish written goals for her performance for the next year as a basis for her annual evaluation. Jan asked for feedback regarding her list of goals. School committee members expressed appreciation for Jan's thought and work in delineating her goals for the school.
School Committee members brainstormed ideas for the School Committee's goals for the next year. Lucy asked that committee members consider the relationship of the Committee's goals to the director's goals. Assisting with the Bridging the Gap Campaign was mentioned as a primary goal. The issue of financial contributions by school committee members was raised. Contributions to the school can vary according to the interests and abilities of the school committee members. The need to clearly define this expectation to prospective donors/foundations was discussed.
Following brunch members of the Scattergood Friends School 2005-6 faculty and staff met with the School Committee for introductions.
Mark Quee reminded members of the printed report. He reported that this has been hard year with the drought. As a result not as much food is coming to the school. Mark talked about ideas for developing a farm concentration for Scattergood students. The farm concentration would be recognized on the student's transcript. He stated that the idea has not been publicized. His expectation is that 1 to 2 students a year would take this concentration. Bob Winchell expressed concern that the new farm building funds designated in the Capital Campaign were reallocated to the main building project and that the farm building not get lost. Nan Fawcett reported that staff members regard the farm a vital part of Scattergood's offering to students. Bob asked people to volunteer to serve on the farm committee.
Jan Luchini asked members to review the audit report. School Committee members will receive a narrative portion and a management letter when Jan receives them.
Jan reviewed financial information with the Committee. Reviewing the coming year's budget, Jan reported that expected tuition revenue is less than was budgeted but represents a $50,000 increase over last year. The promotions expense budget figure, $123,629, includes $74,000 projected + $35,000 designated donation + $14,629 remaining from last year. Jan explained that there may be a possible $500 change in the budget line for promotions. Jan's goal is to not create new loans and pay down current loans. Jan has identified $8,000 to pay for approved improvements on the farm cottage. School will not be paying the farm support funds this year. Mark Quee believes that farm support funds won't be necessary for the farm to be financially successful. Jan reported that fuel costs are increasing dramatically. Brief discussion about possibly replacing current heating equipment with geothermal or other alternative methods of heating followed. The budget was approved with awareness that the promotions budgeted figure may be increased by $500.
Jan explained Long term liabilities vs. current liabilities in the budget. She reported that the laptop loan 2003 will be paid off this year. The Mazda has one more payment. The 2004 laptop loan will be paid off early next year. Jan hopes to pay off the fourplex in seven years.
When presenting the Capital Improvements Report Jan explained how she is presenting the information so that it is readable and meaningful. Jan stated her belief that the school's insurance broker is not advocating for our needs. Joey Giffen-Hunter and Jan are researching how best to insure the school.
Jan reported that the Bridging the Gap Campaign reached all of its 2004-05 goals. $14,619 is needed to reach the Endowment goal for this year. Jan requested that moneys that are currently undesignated be placed in the endowment to begin earning income for the school. Approved
Jan proposed that the School increase tuition for next year. She stated her belief that the program needs to support the boarding students rather than the day students. Boarding students are more a part of the community. Parents are paying what they are capable of paying. The Committee discussed the importance of marketing to Quaker families. Some members expressed concerns about meeting the needs of Quaker families. Enrollment at this time includes 14 5-day boarding students. Gross tuition should match expenses of school. For 2006-7 the tuition will be $22,000 for full boarding, $20,500 for 5-day boarders, $13,000 for day students, and $2,200 the minimum. Approved
Joey Giffen-Hunter referred members to his printed report. The project on the instruction building is a new roof. Joey reported that Dwight Schumm will continue to serve on the facilities committee.
Margie Figgins reported that the Development Committee met this morning. They focused on the long range plan and a development plan which is a one year plan, plus the ISACS planning document. The Development Committee asks the School Committee to approve a new objective in goal five of the long range plan which reads: Provide training and support for the development director. The suggested new wording is:
Provide adequate and ongoing training, mentoring and networking support for the Director of Development, the Director, School Committee and others as appropriate.
Discussion followed. Approved.
Rachel Thomson reported that enrollment is forty-seven (47). She conducted five interviews in the weeks before orientation. She is currently considering seven (7) candidates for Spring semester. She believes there will probably be 5 new students in Spring semester. The School may have 2 students from Hurricane Katrina. Two students have dropped from school this semester. Rachel's goals for the year involve enrollment and retention. She would like to offer more financial aide options (information about loans) for families. She passed materials about two companies and suggested having them as a link on our website. She stated that the Sallie Mae loan is best rate. Discussion about a variety of issues related this issue followed. Members expressed concerns about appearing to encourage parents to assume indebtedness. Agreement was reached that staff can provide individuals with the information as needed and that links would not be provided on the web site.
Rachel explained the Image Audit. She passed copies of a working document of the vision statement AAI will be using to do the surveys. The vision statement is rooted in the mission statement. She asked for feedback. Committee members are asked to give feedback via email.
Rachel stated her hope to create a stronger connection between the school committee and the campus community. One avenue for that connection would be through the volunteer network. She passed forms and asked committee members to fill out and return them. She also suggested having a dinner/picnic and having a community activity.
Jennifer Warneke reported that the Academic subcommittee met this morning. She continues to work on giving professional development of teachers a more formal look and more structure. Faculty are working on goals, development plans and have mentors. The Subcommittee began to look at ISACS recommendations. She suggested scheduling a shadow day for committee members to observe academic program. The subcommittee hopes to adopt a formal observation tool for teachers at their next meeting. Jennifer also spoke about the proposed Farm concentration. Jennifer is working on scope and sequence of courses at Scattergood and how they align with national standards. The subcommittee brought a recommendation to the School Committee that: A budget item of rotational basis for purchase of new textbooks be developed. Jan suggested that this expense could be placed in budget item for large purchases. The ISACS recommendation referring to the variation of class time per academic unit they noted was discussed. Jeff Cox stated his belief that the school needs to be able to explain why we are different.
Nan Fawcett reported that the committee met at her home last night. Three students met with them. She reported that establishing community was challenging this year because there were more new students than old students. However, the School has a great senior class who participated fully in orienting the new students and did great team building. The first 5 to 6 weeks were uncomfortable due to early adjustments. She reported that Community meeting this week was a graphic example of how change takes place. They had a successful second discussion resulting in television policy. TV policy agreement reached states that public TV's can only be used during weekdays to see evening news. Weekends TV may be used by permission of the person in charge. If it is a bright sunny day the answer will likely be no. Students monitor one another's use of Laptops. Laptops will be taken away from students who are not able to monitor themselves effectively. Students are given a lot more freedom. Empowers students to learn and take responsibility.
No report
Jan Luchini will ask Adam Kurth to take a survey of response to notebooks.
Some items in the ISACS report were addressed to the school committee. Lucy Hansen reminded members of the need to discuss those items in December. She asked members to have the ISACS report in mind and have thoughts before the December meeting.
Debbie Galusha suggested that School Committee members take a few minutes to read reports at beginning of the meeting and approve them or address only items that need to be addressed. The Committee would then have more time for discussion of things such as the ISACS report.