Schedule

8:00 - 8:50 am

There will be eight concurrent sessions during this time.

(Cohort Meetup) Advancement Committee Roundtable

Current and prospective Advancement Committee members are invited to participate in a live, interactive roundtable Zoom session about trends, issues, and questions regarding independent school governance and advancement.

This Zoom meeting will not be recorded.

Karen Callahan 2022

Karen Callahan

Senior Consultant and Managing Principal
Marts & Lundy
James Zimmerman 2022

James Zimmerman

Chief Advancement Officer
The Branson School

(Cohort Meetup) Board Chair Roundtable

Board Chairs and Chairs Elect are invited to participate in a live, interactive roundtable discussion about trends, issues, and questions regarding independent school governance and Board leadership.

This session is restricted to Board Chairs and Chairs Elect.

This Zoom meeting will not be recorded.

Dr. Deborah Dowling 3

Dr. Deborah Dowling

Executive Director
California Association of Independent Schools
Lynn Wendell 2022

Lynn Wendell

Consultant

(Cohort Meetup) Buildings & Grounds Committee

Current and prospective Buildings and Grounds Committee members are invited to participate in a live, interactive roundtable Zoom session about independent school governance in this vital area of our schools.

This Zoom meeting will not be recorded.

Peggy Jones 2022

Peggy Jones

CEO and President
Jones & Jones Management Group, Inc
Paul Loeffler 2022

Paul Loeffler

Board Vice Chair and Facilities Chair
French American International School

(Cohort Meetup) DEIJ Committee Roundtable

Current and prospective Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Committee members are invited to participate in a live, interactive discussion about independent school governance and DEI. If your school does not have a DEI Committee or Task Force, you are still welcome to join us. Noted governance and DEIJ experts will moderate this session.

This Zoom meeting will not be recorded.

Martha Haakmat 2022

Martha Haakmat

Executive Director
Haakmat Consulting, LLC
Vince Watchhorn 2022

Vince Watchhorn

Executive Director Elect
New York Association of Independent Schools

(Cohort Meetup) Executive Committee Roundtable

Current and prospective Executive Committee members are invited to participate in a live, interactive cohort discussion.

This Zoom meeting will not be recorded.

Marc Frankel 2022

Marc Frankel

Senior Consultant & Partner
Triangle Associates

(Cohort Meetup) Finance Committee Roundtable

Current and prospective Finance Committee members are invited to participate in a live, interactive cohort discussion.

This Zoom meeting will not be recorded.

Kathy Layendecker 2022

Kathy Layendecker

Associate Head of School for Finance and Operations
Castilleja School
Chad Tew 2022

Chad Tew

Founder / Chief Disruption Navigator
LearnCollab

(Cohort Meetup) Governance Committee (COT) Roundtable

Current and prospective Governance Committee members are invited to participate in a live, interactive, and moderated discussion.

This Zoom meeting will not be recorded.

Anne-Marie Balzano 2022

Anne-Marie Balzano

Senior Governance Strategist
Mission & Data
Cathy Shelburne 2022

Cathy Shelburne

Director of Professional Learning
California Association of Independent Schools

(Cohort Meetup) Heads of School Roundtable

Current Heads of Schools and Heads Elect are invited to this open forum for informal conversation with head colleagues that will focus upon whatever considerations the participants want to explore. This session is restricted to Heads of Schools and Heads Elect.

This Zoom meeting will not be recorded.

Lucinda Lee Katz 2022

Lucinda Lee Katz

Educational Consultant
Carney Sandoe & Associates
Irvenia Waters 2022

Irvenia Waters

Executive Coach and Consultant
Waters Leadership Coaching

9:00 - 10:05 am

There will be a Welcome Address, Opening Remarks, a Keynote Presentation, and Keynote Closing Remarks during this time.

 

Sponsored by

 9:00 - 9:15 am

Welcome Address & Opening Remarks

Dr. Deborah Dowling

Dr. Deborah Dowling

Executive Director
California Association of Independent Schools
Steven Morris

Steven Morris

Head of School, The San Francisco School
Board President, California Association of Independent Schools
 9:15 - 10:00 am

Keynote Presentation: Courage of our Convictions: A Roadmap to Antiracism

This multimedia presentation will unveil findings from the CAIS Antiracism Audit. The audit will guide the development and implementation of the strategic plan that will outline systemic interventions for promoting antiracism. A discussion concerning CAIS’ signature strengths and opportunities for improvement will be a focus of the presentation.

Dr. Valaida L. Wise

Dr. Valaida L. Wise

President and Principal Consulting
Dr. Valaida Wise Consultant, LLC
 10:00 - 10:05 am

Keynote Closing Remarks

Dr. Deborah Dowling 2

Dr. Deborah Dowling

Executive Director
California Association of Independent Schools

10:15 - 11:00 am

There will be twelve concurrent sessions during this time.

Keynote Follow-Up

In this live Zoom meeting, Dr. Valaida Wise will lead an interactive Q&A about her keynote address.

Valaida L. Wise, Ed.D 2

Dr. Valaida L. Wise

President and Principal Consulting
Dr. Valaida Wise Consultant, LLC

Annual Legal Update for California Independent Schools, Part I

What a year! The courts, the legislature, and local agencies have not made things any easier. This presentation will review the most important cases, new state laws, and regulations of the past year. We will focus on the implications of these developments for California independent schools and discuss how Heads of School and Board members can be proactive in light of them. Come prepared to ask questions and share experiences! MCLE:
Liebert Cassidy Whitmore is an approved MCLE provider. Participating attorneys are eligible for 0.75 hour of MCLE.

Michael Blacher 1

Michael Blacher

Partner
Liebert Cassidy Whitmore
Grace Chan 1

Grace Chan

Partner
Liebert Cassidy Whitmore

An Unbiased View of the Interim Headship

In this session, two former Heads of School will demystify the interim headship. Participants will learn when and why it’s a good idea, how to tee up for success––both the school and the Interim Head––tips and traps, and more. This workshop will appeal to not only Heads who are nearing retirement, but also to schools that may be facing a planned or unanticipated Head transition.

Lila Lohr

Lila Lohr

Interim Search Consultant
Educational Directions
Amy Richards

Amy Richards

Partner
Educational Directions

Crisis 2.0 – From the Basics to the Boardroom

This past year, crises have been more challenging and complex than ever. In this session, participants will review crisis basics, first steps to take, and how to develop the response–often the most difficult step–taking into account the facts, optics, and stakeholder considerations. Presenters will share best practices for school leaders and the Board of Trustees. We will also consider the importance of talking points and messaging for both the Board and leaders.

Jane Hulbert

Jane Hulbert

Co-Founder
The Jane Group
Jim Hulbert

Jim Hulbert

J.D., CEO and Co-Founder
The Jane Group

From Data to Equity-Minded Action: Strategies to Analyze, Interpret and Act on Data through an Equity Lens

This workshop will provide tools and strategies to use data disaggregated by demographic groups, to improve student outcomes with an equity-minded lens. Participants will learn and apply a framework to help understand the importance of disaggregating data by demographics, how to facilitate equity-minded dialogue to engage with the data, and how to take action on the data to further student success. Workshop leaders will present a case study from National Louis University, where data was used to surface and address inequitable student outcomes both in college wide and department team settings. After the case study, participants will engage in a discussion to explore how the model may be applied in different teams and contexts. Finally, participants will reflect and begin to plan how they can apply components of the model at their own institution.

Erin Neubert

Erin Neubert

Humanities Chair and Assistant Professor
National Louis University
Tracy Templin

Tracy Templin

Executive Director of Strategy and Operations
National Louis University

Fundraising For The Future: Why it is Critical to Keep your Foot on the Gas and off the Brakes

If one thing is certain, it’s that no one knows what the future holds. For independent schools, being well-resourced can make possible new infrastructure, short-term facilities or staffing needs, or just downright staying power. Some of the lessons learned over the past year are worth remembering and taking to heart when it comes to future planning. Better inform your own planning by hearing from three institutions who’ve experienced considerable success through this pandemic because of leaders committed to forward thinking through crisis.

Jeff Berndt

Jeff Berndt

Director of Institutional Giving
Thacher School
Karen Callahan

Karen Callahan

Senior Consultant and Principal
Marts & Lundy
Christian Sockel

Christian Sockel

Assistant Head of School for Institutional Giving
The Hill School
Taylor Stockdale

Taylor Stockdale

Head of Schools
The Webb Schools

Governance: Gauging the Effectiveness of the Head of School and Board Chair Partnership

Much has been written about the importance of the Head of School and Board Chair relationship, but assessing the relationship’s effectiveness has been less well studied. This workshop takes a close look at this important partnership and offers a framework for gauging its effectiveness in five key areas—context and commitment, clarity of roles, care for one another, communication, and change management.

Lucinda Lee Katz

Lucinda Lee Katz

Educational Consultant
Carney Sandoe & Associates
Irvenia Waters

Irvenia Waters

Executive Coach and Consultant
Waters Leadership Coaching

Gut Check: Reducing Bias in Leadership Searches

Hiring a new school leader is a high-stakes decision for any board, yet many search committees rely on traditional practices that can lead them to overlook candidates with potential flaws and/or applicants with hidden strengths. Drawing on recent research on bias and decision-making, this session will offer practical advice for Heads and Trustees who want to assess candidates more clearly and make better hiring decisions for their school.

Jo Butler

Jo Butler

Founder & Principal
Butler/White Strategies
Zachary White

Zachary White

Principal
Butler/White Strategies

Measuring Your Mission and Vision: Systems of Data Collection and Analysis

How does a school hold itself accountable to the delivery of the mission? What markers should schools track for mission accountability? In this session, we will examine two case studies where systemic data collection and analysis led to the comprehensive measurement of school mission and vision. Presenters will share the questions that contributed to the development and adoption of qualitative and quantitative measures that led to a comprehensive assessment of mission and vision fulfillment. Hear our approach to ensuring that we are living up to the promises we’ve made to ourselves, our students, and our families.

Jeneen Graham

Jeneen Graham

Upper School Principal
St. Margaret's Episcopal School
Chris Mazzola

Chris Mazzola

Head of School
The Branson School

The National Enrollment Action Roundtable (NEAR): Combatting Enrollment Decline Together

Nearly half of NAIS schools face enrollment decline, with many struggling in isolation. The National Enrollment Action Roundtable (NEAR) is a no-cost, grassroots coalition of over 200 schools that have united to fight back. Led by two CAIS Heads of School, NEAR contends we have within our schools the expertise we need; by collaborating, we help one another prevail. We’ll describe how NEAR works, discuss its value-added for CAIS schools, and lead a Q&A.

Khadija Fredericks

Khadija Fredericks

Head of School
St. Andrew's Episcopal School
Arlene Hogan

Arlene Hogan

Head of School
Bentley School
Laura Konigsberg

Laura Konigsberg

Head of School
Turning Point School
Zachary Roberts

Zachary Roberts

Head of School
Gateway School

Protecting Yourself and Your Business – Let’s See What You’re Up Against

This session designed to explain the latest cybersecurity threats and how to identify them before they become cyberattacks.

Adam Alexander

Adam Alexander

Client Cybersecurity Representative, Information Security
First Republic Bank

Trusteeship 101/102: The Challenge Before Us

In this session, we will review the partnership between Board and Head. Hear a panel of Board Chairs discuss the challenges presented to all Trustees, especially those in their first years. We will turn to scenarios revolving around common questions that Trustees and Heads grapple with: affordability of tuition fees, the conflicts around commitments to anti-racist policies/programs, and the ongoing challenges of COVID-19.

Robert Friedman

Robert Friedman

Board Chair
Turning Point School
Claudia Lewis

Claudia Lewis

Former Board Chair
The Branson School
Deborah Reed

Deborah Reed

Consultant
RG175
Alan Wilson

Alan Wilson

Board Chair
Harvard-Westlake School

11:15 am - 12:00 pm

There will be twelve concurrent sessions during this time.

Annual Legal Update for California Independent Schools, Part II

Join us for Part II of our Annual Legal Update. MCLE:
Liebert Cassidy Whitmore is an approved MCLE provider. Participating attorneys are eligible for 0.75 hour of MCLE.

Michael Blacher 2

Michael Blacher

Partner
Liebert Cassidy Whitmore
Grace Chan 2

Grace Chan

Partner
Liebert Cassidy Whitmore

Becoming a Children's Defense Fund Freedom School Site

Rooted in the Mississippi Freedom Summer project of 1964, the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools program serves children and youth in grades K-12 in communities where quality academic enrichment programming is limited, too expensive, or nonexistent. Participants will learn about our experience hosting a Freedom School this past summer, the impact it had, the community partnerships and collaborations that developed, and why and how other independent schools might consider becoming a Freedom School site.

Kristal Moore Clemons

Kristal Moore Clemons

National Director
CDF Freedom Schools ®️
Janeen Jackson

Janeen Jackson

Site Administrator
Freedom School ®️ Project, Crossroads School
Bob Riddle

Bob Riddle

Head of School
Crossroads School

Got a Vision for DEI? An Hour to “Dream a Little Before We Think”

The past year has seen significantly more activity for and against DEI commitments in schools. As more people in our communities drive the work forward, inspired by their own ideas about “what we should be doing,” yet others resist the work, worried about “where all of this is heading.” It is increasingly evident that schools need to provide an aspirational vision for DEI. We’ll spend this session “dreaming a little” about DEI: what it could be about, and what it could achieve.

Stacey Kertsman

Stacey Kertsman

DEI Consultant
Blink Consulting
Alison Park

Alison Park

DEI Consultant & Founder
Blink Consulting

How Does a Board Respond When Everything’s on Fire? Preparing for and Managing through COVID

What do you do when a crisis hits, and what do you wish you’d already done? In this session, participants will learn how long-term Board governance and administration partnership prepared one school to be as ready for 2020 as possible. Hear about their focus on nimble process, strategic planning, Board training, hypothetical “doomsday” scenario preparation, Board education, and fundraising during one of the most challenging periods for independent schools on record.

Marc Frankel

Marc Frankel

Trustee
Wildwood School
Landis Green

Landis Green

Head of School
Wildwood School
Susan Olsen

Susan Olsen

Board Vice Chair
Wildwood School
Andrew Solmssen

Andrew Solmssen

Board Chair
Wildwood School

Mission Possible: The Mission Statement as Phase 0 of Strategic Planning

The development of a strategic plan often requires mapping priorities to the school’s Mission Statement. This presentation will showcase the collaboration between a school and strategic planning consultants to add an additional component to the strategic planning process, “Phase 0,” which would occur before the traditional first phase of research and discovery. In “Phase 0,” a school looks critically at its current Mission Statement, and possibly even revises or rewrites it, so that it can serve as a guide in the subsequent phases of the strategic planning process.

Rose Helm

Rose Helm

Head of School
The John Thomas Dye School
Stacey Walker King

Stacey Walker King

Trustee
The John Thomas Dye School
Chris Pryor

Chris Pryor

President
Gowan Group
Mike Vachow

Mike Vachow

Managing Director
Gowan Group

New Directions in Effective Head Support and Evaluation

New approaches to Head Support and Evaluation can foster a climate of trust and clarity of purpose that strengthen the Head-Board relationship and improve the performance of both the Head and Trustees. In this session, participants will hear an experienced Head of School and Board leaders describe their process and positive results achieved in establishing a committee that provides authentic and meaningful support for the Head and for next-level governance.

Mark McKee 2

Mark McKee

President and Head of School
Viewpoint School
Jill Schecter

Jill Schecter

Board Vice Chair
Viewpoint School

Operating in a COVID World

Schools are still dealing with COVID! This presentation will provide a wide-ranging overview of current laws, updated regulations, and best practices. It will address responding to COVID exposures and outbreaks, compliance with privacy laws, managing employee leaves, addressing accommodation requests, COVID testing and vaccinations, and more. We will discuss the issues you should be thinking about now for next year.

MCLE: Liebert Cassidy Whitmore is an approved MCLE provider. Participating attorneys are eligible for 0.75 hour of MCLE.

Linda K. Adler

Linda K. Adler

Partner
Liebert Cassidy Whitmore
Brett A. Overby

Brett A. Overby

Associate
Liebert Cassidy Whitmore
Stacy L. Velloff

Stacy L. Velloff

Associate
Liebert Cassidy Whitmore

Recruiting for a Diverse Board

To be effective, boards need engaged, strategic, collaborative, and diverse members. Yet many boards do not follow a clear process to identify needed characteristics of Board candidates and struggle to recruit members who bring a diversity of perspective. In this workshop Board members will learn a process they can implement immediately to enhance their recruitment practices and expand the diversity of their Board.

Brooke Carroll

Brooke Carroll

Principal Consultant and Coach
Acies Strategies

Small School, Big Campaign

Learn how a 260-student elementary school built a culture of philanthropy that allowed the school to raise the $5.1 million necessary to fund a state-of-the-art new facility in 2021 amid the pandemic. The successful campaign required a multifaceted and well planned strategy that included a strong foundation of broad support for the annual fund and well-articulated high expectations for leadership gifts. The Head of School and a Trustee will describe how these elements came together in a symbiotic way at the school.

Jennifer Chung

Jennifer Chung

Board Chair
The Carey School
Duncan Lyon

Duncan Lyon

Head of School
The Carey School

Striving for Continuous Improvement: An Exploration of Trends Revealed through the CAIS Accreditation Process

In this session, presenters will provide an analysis of Major Recommendations given by Accreditation Visiting Committees to more than 200 schools over the span of six years. Participants will hear about the most prevalent recommendations and learn how the challenges schools currently face fit within the larger social and educational landscape. Attendees will gain insight into how schools may address current challenges and transform them into areas of strength.

Teal Gallagher

Teal Gallagher

Director of Member Engagement
California Association of Independent Schools
Mariana Robles

Mariana Robles

Director of Accreditation
California Association of Independent Schools

Three Secrets of the Entrepreneurial School

Entrepreneurial schools supercharge innovative thinking with market data and an expansion mindset. Learn why school expansion, market research, and collaboration/acquisition should be on the agenda for every school looking to build a stronger market position and improved financial sustainability.

Scott McLarty

Scott McLarty

Head of School
Providence High School
Dana Nelson-Isaacs

Dana Nelson-Isaacs

Founder and Principal
DNI Consulting
Chad Tew 3

Chad Tew

Founder / Chief Disruption Navigator
LearnCollab

Understanding and Supporting Female Leaders and Leaders of Color at Independent Schools

Independent school leaders in general have borne the brunt of many overlapping crises over the past year, resulting in significant emotional and psychological strain. What has been the experience of female heads and heads of color during this period? This session will explore national trends in leadership, key needs of today’s heads, vulnerabilities in the role, and some strategies for both self-care and Board-Head support systems.

Amada Torres 2

Amada Torres

Vice President for Studies, Insights, and Research
National Association of Independent Schools

12:15 - 1:00 pm

There will be a Keynote Presentation (including an Introduction) during this time.

 

Sponsored by

Keynote Introduction

Dr. Deborah Dowling 6

Dr. Deborah Dowling

Executive Director
California Association of Independent Schools

Keynote Presentation: Board and Head: Post-Pandemic Collaboration

The relationship between Board and Head has always been vital to an independent school’s health. Two years into Covid and a national racial reckoning, it is increasingly under pressure. Trustees and Heads see the need to get moving—whether to reinvigorate the strategic plan and the capital campaign or to accelerate DEI efforts. But Heads are exhausted and whipsawed: every important decision is now too much or too little for some group. In this two-part program Featured Presenters Rob Evans and Michael Thompson will offer concrete ways for a Board and Head to strengthen their partnership and best serve the school.

Rob Evans 2

Rob Evans

Consultant
Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

Consultant

1:15 - 2:00 pm

There will be eleven concurrent sessions during this time.

Board and Head: Post-Pandemic Collaboration Live Zoom Follow-Up Session

Join Featured Presenters Rob Evans and Michael Thompson for Part II of their presentation via live Zoom.

Rob Evans 3

Rob Evans

Consultant
Michael Thompson 2

Michael Thompson

Consultant

Evidence-Based Accountability Plans: Measuring Progress Toward Strategic Goals and Accreditation Recommendations

Leaders and Trustees want their school to be rooted in mission-driven, data-informed decision making, yet many schools struggle to turn strategic plans, visionary initiatives, and accreditation recommendations into action and effectively communicate progress to the Board. In this session, participants will learn about research-based processes for building robust accountability plans. Presenters will explore how to align success metrics to strategic goals and accreditation recommendations, share strategies on how to measure subjective goals such as joyful learners or engaged students, and share examples of effective strategic plan dashboards.

Anne-Marie Balzano 2

Anne-Marie Balzano

Senior Governance Strategist
Mission & Data
Kelsey Vrooman

Kelsey Vrooman

Co-Founder and Partner
Mission & Data

Evolving the Committee on Trustees (CoT): Infusing Intention to Ensure Impact

Is your Committee on Trustees on “rinse and repeat” mode? During this interactive session, learn how a group of Trustees infused intention and innovation in order to evolve the CoT into one of the school’s most impactful Board committees. Participants will reflect on their own CoT and identify ways to infuse a data-driven approach, intentional recruitment and onboarding, and ongoing training into their CoT practices right away.

Betsy Berman

Betsy Berman

Chief Advancement and Strategy Officer
Crystal Springs Uplands School
Becky Logan

Becky Logan

Trustee
Crystal Springs Uplands School
Kelly Sortino

Kelly Sortino

Head of School
Crystal Springs Uplands School
Cristal Waldrop

Cristal Waldrop

Board Secretary
Crystal Springs Uplands School

Governance by Design: An Intentional and Strategic Approach to Improving School Governance

Independent schools often emphasize the need for continuous improvement in teaching, learning, and operations. This is what we do in educational settings; constantly strive to improve and get better at what we do. But why do we not always apply this same ethos to school governance? Why do we not hold ourselves accountable for continuous improvement at the Board level as well? This session directly addresses the importance and potential of applying effective, research-based governance practices in schools so that a Board’s impact on the community can be maximized.

Lee Fertig

Lee Fertig

Head of School
The Nueva School
Bonnie Fought

Bonnie Fought

Governance Committee Chair
The Nueva School

An Inspiring Strategic Plan That is Student Focused Rather Than Operations Driven

Strategic planning, though essential, can also be a long, tedious process filled with meetings that don’t yield truly fresh thinking. Learn a new framework that makes student learning outcomes, not school operations, the focal point. We’ll share an exciting case study that can act as your blueprint and lead to your next strategic plan being truly extraordinary, with all stakeholders inspired and aligned.

Andrew Davis 2

Andrew Davis

Head of School
Mt. Tamalpais School
Romayne Levee

Romayne Levee

Director of Education Strategy
Mission Minded

Navigating a Challenging and Turbulent Insurance Market for Independent Schools

The availability and affordability of business insurance for educational institutions has changed dramatically in the last 12 months. Coverage limits are down, pricing has increased, and new coverage restrictions are being added that impact how your policy may respond in the event of a claim. Learn how these changes are impacting fiduciary oversight by the board and strategies for navigating a rapidly changing marketplace.

Jamie Gershon 2

Jamie Gershon

Executive Vice President
Bolton & Company
Cheryl McDowell

Cheryl McDowell

Vice President
Risk Management, Education Practice Group
Ronald Wanglin 2

Ronald Wanglin

Chairman
Bolton & Company

Risk-Free Donations and Faultless Fundraising

This session will focus on California and federal laws relating to fundraising, gifts and donations, endowments, and acknowledgments. We will explore best practices to avoid risk and liability associated with fundraising events, including how to spot issues at the planning stages.

MCLE: Liebert Cassidy Whitmore is an approved MCLE provider. Participating attorneys are eligible for 0.75 hour of MCLE.

Heather DeBlanc

Heather DeBlanc

Partner
Liebert Cassidy Whitmore
Laura Konigsberg 2

Laura Konigsberg

Head of School
Turning Point School
Julia Yzaguirre

Julia Yzaguirre

Chief Financial Officer
Turning Point School

Safety & Security: Navigating Physical Security, Cyber Security, and Health during the Pandemic

In 2019, our Board of Trustees established a Safety & Security Committee, comprised of administrators and Trustees, to focus on physical safety and cyber security. Little did anyone know, a short time later, a global pandemic would impact every community around the world and create new challenges for independent schools. Hear how this committee quickly reoriented itself to the many challenges imposed by the pandemic without losing sight of its original intent. We will explore learnings from the past which can help to inform the future for any school contemplating how to manage through change.

Omar Dueñas

Omar Dueñas

Director of Technology
The Center for Early Education
Eric Esrailian

Eric Esrailian

Trustee
The Center for Early Education
Erika Johnson

Erika Johnson

Assistant Head of School for Operations
The Center for Early Education
David Messinger

David Messinger

Board President
The Center for Early Education

Top Ten Risk Management Topics For Heads of Schools and Board Chairs In 2022

In this session, participants will hear from an experienced education and employment lawyer who will facilitate a conversation about 2022’s top legal issues facing independent Heads of School and Board Chairs.

Sara Schwartz 2

Sara Schwartz

Founder and President
Schwartz Hannum PC

Trends and Issues in School Affordability through COVID-19

The impact of COVID-19 on all aspects of school operations is deep and complex, including financial aid and enrollment demand. Based on key trends and issues explored in the NAIS 2021-2022 Trendbook, this session will explore the dynamics driving schools’ responses to the affordability pressures impacting families. While each school’s situation and solutions may be unique, there are questions and considerations school boards should be addressing to weather any continued economic effects of the ongoing challenge.

Mark Mitchell 2

Mark Mitchell

Vice President
National Association of Independent Schools

What Research Suggests on Why Heads Leave and Why Heads Stay

This session will share results from a recent NAIS supported research study of 312 Heads from independent schools across the country which sought to identify potential factors that motivate Heads to stay or go, including relationships between Heads and Board Chairs, and investigate to what extent these factors influence the Heads’ job satisfaction and their decisions to remain in their current positions. Outcomes will include: 1) a deeper understanding of the key aspects of the Head and Board Chair partnership which influence, at least to to some degree, a head’s decision to remain at their school; and 2) the case for a deeper investment in the Head-Board Chair partnership and an understanding of the preferred manner in which Heads choose to lead.

Kevin Yaley

Kevin Yaley

Head of School
Francis Parker School

2:15 - 3:30 pm

There will be a Keynote Presentation (including a Welcome, Introduction, and Follow-Up Q&A) and Closing Remarks during this time.
 2:15 - 2:20 pm

The Jim McManus Lecture Introduction

Mark Silver

Mark Silver

Head of School, Hillbrook School and
Board Vice President, California Association of Independent Schools
 2:20 - 2:55 pm

The Jim McManus Lecture | Keynote Presentation: A New Lens on The Work of Governance and Leadership

The pace of change today often leaves school leaders and trustees feeling like they are in a constant state of catching up, sometimes resulting in the school facing unintended consequences or missed opportunities. In the worst-case scenario, this inability to effectively lead and govern through rapid change can totally destabilize a school community and erode trust. When leadership and governance work together, like an orchestra playing an exquisite symphony, these pitfalls can be avoided. We will explore how Heads and Trustees can develop workable strategies for success in their particular context, and create alignment around structures, processes, and programs.

Donna Orem 2

Donna Orem

President
National Association of Independent Schools
 3:00 - 3:25 pm

Keynote Follow-Up Q&A

Donna Orem

Donna Orem

President
National Association of Independent Schools
 3:25 - 3:30 pm

Closing Remarks

Dr. Deborah Dowling 2

Dr. Deborah Dowling

Executive Director
California Association of Independent Schools
Matchbox Virtual Media