What does the future of Mark Day School look like? The Mark Day School Board spends much of our time thinking about the environment ahead in order to secure the school for long-term success. Read on to learn more about the Board and our plans for 2019-2020. Who is on the Mark Day School Board? The board is largely made up of parent trustees who serve in support and care of the school and contribute time and judgement based on their expertise and personal experience. Members are nominated and elected by the current board membership. No parent or member represents any particular constituency, but rather the institution as a whole. The board also includes a faculty trustee, an alumni trustee and the Parents' Association president. The board often includes at least one outside member who comes from an educational or community leadership background; this year we have two outside educators.Trustees generally serve two, three-year terms.
What are desirable qualities of a new board member? The criteria for electing new trustees include strategic expertise, diversity in perspectives and experience, and time to serve. Depending on anticipated needs, we may look for special skills like personnel management, finance, marketing, real estate, law, and others. These criteria enable the board to be effective in furthering the strategic plan and the school's mission.
Does the board get involved in classroom issues? No. Trustees do not engage in issues related to school curriculum or program, personnel, staff, or student matters. The board delegates all day-to-day operational school management to Joe Harvey, Head of School. His experienced leadership, along with his stellar administrative team and faculty, inspires us as trustees to bring our best selves to every board and committee interaction.
How does the board get its work done? The board meets as a whole group every month to make decisions. Most of the substantive work is achieved outside of those meetings in small groups and committees. We currently have four standing committees:
What are the 2019-2020 Board Priorities? With a constant eye toward the future, the board uses the school's Strategic Plan as a roadmap. It is a dynamic vision for teaching and learning in the current century; broadening and strengthening our community; and building on our financial excellence. In 2019-20, we will specifically take aim at:
Stay tuned for future editions of In Step With The Board to read more about our work in service of Mark Day School.
Visit the Board of Trustees web page for more information. Robert Hee, Board President, or Sharina Belani, Chair of the Governance Committee would be happy to answer any questions and welcome your feedback.
All the best,
Members of the Board of Trustees
Robert Hee, President Julian Allen, Treasurer Lindsay Bartsh Sharina Belani Nish Budhraja '06, Alumni Trustee Ethan Dornhelm Aimee Foreman, Vice President Alexander Fraser Kelly Giddings, Faculty Trustee Reetika Grewal Joe Harvey, Head of School Dan Kalafatas Andrew Kawahara, Assistant Treasurer Chris Mazzola Michelle Mulkey Sam Parker Steve Polsky Carl Reichardt David Shapiro Nicole Stanton Rachel Street, PA President Peter Supino |