The Vital Relationship Between the Head and Board in Uncertain Times
Behind the daily operations of any school lies an often invisible, but critical component of any school. The relationship between the board and the Head of School is vital to the school’s health and vitality. It has a cascading effect on the institution. When the relationship is strong and built on trust, schools are poised to advance their mission effectively. However, when there is dysfunction, confusion, and mistrust, the results can be disruptive and even devastating. The focus of the Symposium will be to provide needed counsel for Heads and boards to ensure their relationships are thriving and healthy.
Dates & Location
Thursday, Feb. 4
Arrive early and attend a pre-symposium reception.
Friday, Feb. 5
Friday will focus on issues facing Heads of School.
Saturday, Feb. 6
Saturday will focus on issues facing Board Members.
The Champion Group is the leading expert in the U.S. and Canada in conducting major fundraising events for schools, Christian ministries, and nonprofit charities. The Champion Group can help your organization raise $30,000 - $250,000 through a single major fundraising event – plus help you grow your organization through our team of talented and friendly growth experts.
The Budd Group is one of the leading facility service companies in the country, delivering high-quality janitorial, maintenance, landscaping, and facility support solutions to customers throughout the Southeast, including classical schools. The Budd Group is generously providing every Symposium attendee with a free copy of Bill Mott's book, Healthy Boards - Successful Schools.
Matt Skinner is the President of Heritage Preparatory School, a position he assumed in June 2016. He has been in Christian education for the past 25 years, 20 of those years leading PK-12 traditional and classical Christian schools with enrollments ranging from 150 to 850 students. Prior to leading Heritage Preparatory School, Matt served as Headmaster of Heritage School in Fredericksburg, Texas, Hilton Head Christian Academy in Hilton Head, South Carolina, Landmark Christian School in Fairburn, Georgia and Bracken Christian School in Bulverde, Texas. Prior to his calling into Christian education, Matt spent ten years as a Certified Public Accountant working with a variety of corporate and private clients throughout the southwest. He is also an ordained minister and served as the first Executive Pastor of Braelinn Church in Peachtree City, Georgia (now Dogwood Church). Matt holds a BBA from the University of Texas-Arlington (1986) and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Covenant College (2002). Matt has been married for thirty-five years to Tracy and they have three children.
Erin Hames
Erin Hames is the Headmaster at Heritage Preparatory School, a classical Christian school in Atlanta, GA. She previously served as the President of ReformEd, a law and consulting firm focused on improving educational opportunities and outcomes for children and students. Prior to launching ReformEd, Erin served as Governor Deal’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and, prior to that, as Governor Perdue’s Policy Director and Chief of Staff at the Georgia Department of Education. Erin started her career as a middle school teacher where she was named as her school’s First Year Teacher of the Year. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia College of Education and a law degree from Georgia State University College of Law. She also earned a Women’s Certificate from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary where she served as President of the Women’s Fellowship.
Erin is a member of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia where she chairs the Committee on Academic Affairs, the State Bar of Georgia, the GeorgiaCAN Advisory Board, and the advisory board for the Atlanta Speech School. She previously served as an adjunct faculty member at the Georgia Institute of Technology where she taught a STEM Education Policy course. She received the 2016 Professional Achievement Award from the University of Georgia’s College of Education, was a member of the 2013 40 Under 40 Class by the University of Georgia’s Alumni Association and was selected as a 2010 Henry Toll Fellow by the Council of State Governments. She and her husband, Ben, natives of Clarksville, Georgia live in Atlanta with their two young children, Isaac and Rachel.
When it comes to evaluating, hiring and retaining the most effective leaders, most organizations know there is room for improvement. Classical Christian schools in particular are even more challenged by an increased demand for Heads of School resulting from retirements and an already limited supply of qualified replacements who are ready to step into the role.
During this session, Scott Kaufman, an executive recruiter with 2+ decades of executive recruiting experience helping respected ministries and marquee businesses, will answer questions and share ideas and tools for how you can maximize your odds of making your next hire a great one…whether that need is now, or you are making succession plans for several years in the future.
A well appreciated group activity that has been the highlight of previous SCL leadership gatherings. You have an opportunity to bring a write-up on a specific challenge you are facing at your school to present to a group of your colleagues using a proven method to reason through the issues and identify workable solutions as a team to take back and apply.
A well appreciated group activity that has been the highlight of previous SCL leadership gatherings. You have an opportunity to bring a write-up on a specific challenge you are facing at your school to present to a group of your colleagues using a proven method to reason through the issues and identify workable solutions as a team to take back and apply.
On any given day, leadership is challenging. But leadership in the face of uncertainty can be physically, emotionally and spiritually taxing. How can you lead, when you don’t know where to go? How can you encourage others, when you feel hopeless yourself? How can you serve when you have no strength for the task? In this session we will explore these questions and share insights gleaned from faith driven marketplace leaders with the hope of inspiring a fresh translation of timeless truths to the academy.
A panel discussion exploring the benefits and outcomes of using the Hogan assessment tool. They are the leader in personality tests. Reduce turnover and Increase productivity by hiring the right people, understand your team, leadership potential and provide a more cohesive and connected work environment.
A well appreciated group activity that has been the highlight of previous SCL leadership gatherings. You have an opportunity to bring a write-up on a specific challenge you are facing at your school to present to a group of your colleagues using a proven method to reason through the issues and identify workable solutions as a team to take back and apply.
A well appreciated group activity that has been the highlight of previous SCL leadership gatherings. You have an opportunity to bring a write-up on a specific challenge you are facing at your school to present to a group of your colleagues using a proven method to reason through the issues and identify workable solutions as a team to take back and apply.
John Littleford is the Founder of Littleford & Associates.
Too many board’s make naive assumptions about their relationship with the Head of School. They minimize the formal, contractual structure needed to provide clear expectations and value because things are going well at the school or because the board has a positive interpersonal relationship with the Head. Many institutions put their school at great risk by doing so. Every school needs a thoughtful and deliberate process to formalize the relationship with their while building trust and setting clear expectations. John Littleford will explain the necessary steps and principles for boards as they work through the contract process with their respective Heads of School. Whether you are hiring a new Head of School or are working with your current Head to extend a contract, John will give you clear guidance and counsel.
Bill Mott is the Head of School at Providence Christian Academy.
The work of Christian schools and their value to our culture places them at a crossroads of serving students and seeking excellence to enhance their mission. This places the responsibility of thriving on the shoulders of both the head of school and the board of trustees. This session will raise critical issues and discuss how the head and board can partner to ensure the brightest possible future for the school. Taken from the pages of Healthy Boards, Successful Schools, we will engage in a dialogue and take away strategies, ideas, and action steps that will lead to flourishing governance and leadership for your school.
Bill Mott is the Head of School at Providence Christian Academy.
The work of Christian schools and their value to our culture places them at a crossroads of serving students and seeking excellence to enhance their mission. This places the responsibility of thriving on the shoulders of both the head of school and the board of trustees. This session will raise critical issues and discuss how the head and board can partner to ensure the brightest possible future for the school. Taken from the pages of Healthy Boards, Successful Schools, we will engage in a dialogue and take away strategies, ideas, and action steps that will lead to flourishing governance and leadership for your school.
Lunch Break w/ Woody Faulk
"Wisdom From Leading a Classical Christian Board for Nearly Two Decades" Woody Faulk is the Chick-fil-A Vice President of Innovation & New Ventures and the Board Chair Heritage Preparatory School in Atlanta.
A well appreciated group activity that has been the highlight of previous SCL leadership gatherings. You have an opportunity to bring a write-up on a specific challenge you are facing at your school to present to a group of your colleagues using a proven method to reason through the issues and identify workable solutions as a team to take back and apply.
A well appreciated group activity that has been the highlight of previous SCL leadership gatherings. You have an opportunity to bring a write-up on a specific challenge you are facing at your school to present to a group of your colleagues using a proven method to reason through the issues and identify workable solutions as a team to take back and apply.
