The Clerk opened the meeting in closed session near the appointed time with some moments of silent worship.
Minute: We approve renewing Jan's agreement for another year. We offer her a 4% increase in salary. We appreciate and support her good work. We ask the Human Resources Committee to begin their evaluation process. We suggest they do it as they did last year.
Open meeting:
Minutes: We approve the minutes of the last meeting with a few modifications. The Recording Clerk will distribute the amended version to members and Joe Davison.
Minute: We agree to waive the 10-day requirement for distribution of the Appendix. We approve the suggested changes for the Scattergood Friends School Committee Rules and Guidelines, with a minor change in wording for the section on the Consultation Committee. We ask that the group who worked on the Spiritual and Community Life Committee modify the new version to include the wording about FriendsÕ values and practices. We will consider approval for that section in March and May.
We discussed the progress on the long range plan. Many committees are working on this. The clerk encourages faculty and School Committee members to review not only the goals and steps, but also the chapters. As possible, the faculty will bring revisions to the subcommittees.
Minute: We are not clear to schedule a retreat for this spring. We will continue to consider a topic, perhaps sustainability. We will also think about when and where.
Minute: We read the summary of evaluations of the September meeting. The Recording Clerk will be more vigilant in sending requests for feedback after each meeting. We are satisfied with the recording of the minutes in the face of the meeting.
Minute: We listened to Jennifer WarnekeÕs report and recommendation from the Academic Committee that the humanities requirement include .5 credit in American Literature and .5 credit in World Literature. We support this change. We agree that she continue to consult with the registrar and faculty and we will consider her recommendation again in March.
Minute: The Community and Spiritual Life Committee is discussing the Friends In Residence Program. The committee asks that we encourage members of our monthly meetings to participate, and to contact the committee if they wish to do so.
Minute: The Facilities Committee and Jan Luchini reported on the overspending on the new floor in the lower level of the Main Building, and on the rental chlorination system for the boys dorm water system. We are satisfied that the budget will be met. Joey Giffen-Hunter also expressed his appreciation to Bob Yeats for gathering a committee to work on accessibility.
Minute: The Farm Committee reported that they met. Mark Quee reports that all is going well. Bob Winchell and Jan Luchini hope we can move forward with a new farm building as way opens.
Minute: Rachel Thomson spoke about the work of the Admissions Committee. She shared with us about the four new students and how well they are doing. She encouraged us to refer new students.
Minute: The Consultation Committee presented their report of their meeting on January 26, 2007. We approve their recommendation that faculty who intend to leave at the end of the year shall notify the Director by April 1, instead of April 15. This change will be made in the Staff Handbook to take effect in the school year 2007-2008.
Minute: We suggest that the hiring guidelines packet include a statement about Friends principles and our reservations and care about background checks.
Minute: We examined the financial report and are satisfied. Jan Luchini asked us to be aware that the Fire Marshall has suggested extensive upgrades to bring the old gymnasium up to code. The building currently houses the wood shop and the weaving studio. We have until 2009 to meet this requirement for that building. We need to be thinking of what we will want to do.
Minute: Margie Figgins reported for the Development Committee. She explained details about the Leave a Legacy Iowa program. We approve the Scattergood Friends School Gift Acceptance Policy, with a few minor modifications.
Minute: Dan Schlitt of the Technology Committee was reassured that the schoolÕs software licenses are up to date.
Minute: We commend the faculty and all sub-committees, for both their faithful work and for their written reports. We fully support the work of the faculty.
In critiquing our session, members were appreciative of the discussion during the closed meeting, of the focus the recording clerk provides us, and of the attendance of the faculty members in our meeting.
We plan to meet again on March 31, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. The Clerk closed the meeting at the appointed time after some silent worship.
Callie Marsh
Recording Clerk
Scattergood Friends School Committee