2017-2018

Contact the Board of Trustees at board@highmeadowschool.org

Officers

Stephanie Ellis, Chair
Jessica Applestone, Vice-Chair
Scott Elder, Treasurer
Pia Kelly, Secretary

Members

Caroline Crumpacker
Aileen Hanel
Sarah Olivieri
Pat Thompson

About

High Meadow School is governed by a self-perpetuating Board of Trustees which follows the protocols and guidance of the National Associations of Independent Schools (NAIS).  The Board of Trustees holds the mission of High Meadow School in trust. It is charged with hiring the head of school and ensuring the school’s ongoing fiscal health and well-being. With the administration, the board sets and monitors the strategic direction of the school.

The number of Trustees constituting the entire Board after the first annual meeting of the Board of Trustees shall be at least five (5)  but no more than eleven (11). Each Trustee shall be at least eighteen (18) years of age, and the initial term for Board Members is three academic years.  A Board Member may continue their term for as much as 12 years, with a review of each Board member taking place every three years. When the Board considers applicants for vacant positions, it seeks individuals who are:

In at least their second year at the school and in good standing, if they are a current parent at High Meadow School.

Have served on school or local committees or carried out projects and have proven themselves to be a person who meets commitments, interacts and collaborates well with others, believes in and carries forth the mission of the school.

Possess a particular skill set needed on the Board.

Board members do not need to be current parents at High Meadow School.

Becoming a Member

The Governance Committee will acquire names of prospective new Trustees or Committee members on a rolling basis. Individuals may let the Board know they are interested in serving as a Trustee, current Trustees may recommend people, and recommendations can come from any member of the administration, staff, or community. Prospective Trustees will be given an overview of the requirements of Board or Committee service and decide if they would like to be considered. Interested prospective Trustees will then fill out an application. Based on the application the Governance Committee or subcommittee on Trustees will decide whether a panel interview with the Committee will take place. If so, a panel interview will take place and two references, one professional and one personal, will be checked. The committee will then recommend for Board service or Committee service. A vote on committee service will take place at the next full Board meeting as a vote of the full Board. A vote on Board service will take place at the June meeting of the Board of Trustees. The new Board member's term will start in September. A new committee member can start on that committee at any time during the year. A Board member may be added at another time during the year if extenuating circumstances exist.

Committees

There are four (4) standing committees created and run by the Board. All Board members serve on at least one committee and the majority of Board time is spent on committee work. Interested people may also consider joining a Board Committee before committing to joining the Board. 
 
Committees: 
(a) Finance: Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: overseeing budget, awarding scholarships and or financial aid, preparing endowment, board related budget process; 1. Develop an annual operating budget with Head of School & Finance Director. 2. Monitor adherence to the budget. 3. Approve the budget within the finance committee. 4. Present all financial goals and proposals to the board of trustees for approval. 5. Select an auditor and review the audit and management letter 6. Review and award financial aid applications 7. Work with Financial Director to review financial policies yearly and revise when necessary. 8. Oversee Campus committee 
 
(b) Governance: The governance committee examines how the board is functioning, how board members communicate, and whether the board is fulfilling its responsibilities and living up to the objectives and aspirations set for itself and the organization. While all board members should understand the organization's mission and goals, the governance committee must consider them with an eye on the board's responsibility to guide the organization and what is required of the board to best accomplish that. The governance committee must be able to articulate the board's vision and find the individuals who can execute it. The governance committee is responsible for the identification, interview, and orientation of new trustees. The governance committee is responsible for the execution of a yearly Head of School evaluation. The governance committee is responsible for the execution of a yearly Board of Trustees self-evaluation. The governance committee is responsible for the execution of the evaluation of individual Board members at the time of their renewal on the Board.
 
(c) CQIC (Continuous Quality Improvement Committee): Work with HOS, Administration and the PTO to solicit, use and disseminate quantitative and qualitative data in order to strengthen the school’s effectiveness and efficiency over time. 
 
(d) Development: With the Head of School and any Development or Marketing school employees, is responsible for creating and implementing a coherent, effective fundraising strategy for the school. Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: oversight of fundraisers, review adoption of new, or removal of ineffective fundraisers, volunteer recruitment, targeted fundraisers and monetary goals and projections, work with PR team in relation to fundraisers; Alumni