What Every Board Must Do

Posted on by Society for Classical Learning
A critical factor in a healthy school is a board understanding how to invest in its Head of School. Eric Cook will cover principles and practices of Head of School care to maximize his or her ability to perform in the Head of School role.

Eric Cook

Eric Cook is from Lexington, Kentucky, but worked in schools in Ohio and Virginia before joining Covenant Classical School in 2009. Eric earned a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Social Studies Education from Transylvania University, and a master’s degree in Instructional Leadership from Northern Kentucky University. He has taught history, political science, psychology and philosophy in public schools, and served as an assistant principal for several years. In 2006, Eric felt called to join the classical Christian school movement and became the Middle and Upper School Head at Faith Christian School in Roanoke, Virginia. In addition to his leadership roles, Eric taught apologetics, theology, philosophy of religion, and served as thesis director.

Knocking Down Hurdles: Understanding Why Being a School Board Member is so Tough and What To Do About It

Posted on by Society for Classical Learning

Many a parent has been elected to their school’s board, excited about opportunities to support the mission, exchange ideas with the leadership and instigate growth and improvement. And many a board member has found doing these noble things to be difficult, if not seemingly impossible. This workshop identifies a handful of common realities affecting the performance of many leadership teams. Hurdles exist which, if not recognized, inhibit governing wisdom, organizational effectiveness and the board’s reputation. Understanding our problems is the first step to remedying them.

Charles Evans

Chuck has been a proponent of classical Christian schooling since he became the founding Head of School of Faith Christian School in Roanoke, Virginia, in 1996. As a consultant since 2006, Chuck has assisted dozens of schools in various aspects of development. He was involved in the original leadership of SCL and helped co-found the Council on Educational Standards and Accountability (CESA). He is an annual presenter at the Van Lunen Center for Christian School Management's Fellows Program, and he teaches each summer at Vanderbilt University. Chuck and his wife, Julie, live in Austin. They are blessed with seven children, three dogs, two cats and a rabbit. Really.

Your Board Is Bad, and It Might Be Your Fault: How To Build Cooperative, Productive, Long-Lasting, Successful Boards

Posted on by Society for Classical Learning

Let’s face it. School boards get a lot of blame and not much credit. Working from the insight that harmonious
leadership requires certain types of competency on both sides of the ledger – boards and heads –this session explores the ways in which successful Heads of School strengthen the boards under whose authority they serve. It’s not about following a list of hard and fast rules. It is more complex, but, executed well, better for the school and personally satisfying.

Charles Evans

Chuck has been a proponent of classical Christian schooling since he became the founding Head of School of Faith Christian School in Roanoke, Virginia, in 1996. As a consultant since 2006, Chuck has assisted dozens of schools in various aspects of development. He was involved in the original leadership of SCL and helped co-found the Council on Educational Standards and Accountability (CESA). He is an annual presenter at the Van Lunen Center for Christian School Management's Fellows Program, and he teaches each summer at Vanderbilt University. Chuck and his wife, Julie, live in Austin. They are blessed with seven children, three dogs, two cats and a rabbit. Really.

The Head and the Board: Making It Work

Posted on by Society for Classical Learning

Perhaps the most important relationship in the school, the Head of School’s relationship with the board can be a tricky one. In this workshop, we will discuss principles and practices that can build
trust, confidence and effective leadership.

Keith Nix

Keith Nix has served as Head of School at Veritas School in Richmond, Virginia, since 2010. He also serves on the board of the Association of Classical and Christian Schools (ACCS). Previously, Keith served as the SCL Board Chair.

5 Mistakes School Boards Make and How to Avoid Them

Posted on by Society for Classical Learning

Good boards can help good schools become great schools. Poor boards can also tear good schools down. The common mistakes that boards make are not usually the result of wrong intent—in fact, it’s normally quite the opposite. But good intent applied to misunderstood circumstances can have a detrimental effect.

Bill McGee

William D. McGee has spent 23 years as the head of four independent schools, including eight years at All Saints Episcopal School in Tyler, Texas and six years at Jackson Preparatory School, Mississippi. Since 2008, he has served as Head Master at Hill Country Christian School of Austin, Texas, leading Texas classical school. Bill is an expert in independent school leadership, governance and planning, and is in great demand as a speaker and organizational facilitator. He serves on the board of the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) and is the past President of the Texas Private School Association (formerly TANS). He lives in Austin, Texas.

Top 3 Things the Board Can Do To Strengthen or Weaken the Board-Head Relationships

Posted on by Society for Classical Learning

“The average tenure of school heads is about 5.5 years and the average length of trustee service is 3.5 years. Due to these patterns, there needs to be more ‘touchstones’ of approved and understood tools to retain mission integrety and protect the school from crisis. The strategic plan helps to ensure this. Simultaneously, we must improve governance practices to define boundaries of authority and to extend the tenure for heads, board chairs and board members.” John C. Littleford. Senior Partner, Littleford Associates. Originally a panel discussion, this session will engage attendees in sharing wisdom on board/head relationships. Specifics about clear expectations, effective communication, mutual trust , and collaborative long-term and strategic planning will be foremost among the topics covered.

Robert Littlejohn

Dr. Littlejohn is Head of School at Trinity Academy of Raleigh, North Carolina. As a Ph.D Biologist, he has authored two college biology laboratory texts and has published 26 reports of original research in the fields of Ecology, Plant Physiology, Biochemistry and Science Educational Theory. In 2006, he coauthored Wisdom and Eloquence: a Christian Paradigm for Classical Learning, published by Crossway Books, Chicago. His career spans 26 years in K-12 and higher education, during which he has served in a variety of teaching and administrative capacities, including Academic Vice President for a liberal arts college and Director for a consortium of ten colleges and universities. He was founding headmaster for New Covenant Schools in Virginia, founding executive director for the society for Classical Learning and a founding board member for the American School of Lyon, France. He is a certified facilitator for Appreciative Inquiry, an AQIP reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and a Consultant to Colleges and schools across the nation.

The Frustrations of Working with the School Board

Posted on by Society for Classical Learning

The seminar host often asks administrators this question: “of all the facets of your ministry, what do you find the most challenging.” Without exception, the number one response is, “The school board.” When asked for clarification, the most common responses are: “They create policies the discourage growth.” “They do not support my leadership at the school.” ” They micro-manage the school.” This seminar shares insightful suggestions for improving the relationship between the school administration and the board. Included are a five page handout and a pdf copy of a 31 page resource written by the seminar host to give to the school board.

Kris Bjorgen

Dr. Bjorgen has been involved in Christian Education for over 27 years and has served as an adminstrator in church and school ministries for over 15 years. He holds a Doctorate Degree in Education, Masters in Christian Education, and a Bachelors Degree in Biological Science. His education and years of experience have qualified him to author School Dynamics Software, a school management program that thinks like an administrator.

Tools for Teacher Evaluation

Posted on by Society for Classical Learning

Performance evaluation is usually an uncomfortable experience for educators. But, when educators help design a process that drives improvement and leads to better learning, everyone benefits. This session describes such a process, and provides examples of survey instruments and data summaries that form the basis for positive formative assessment of teaching and learning.

Robert Littlejohn

Dr. Littlejohn is Head of School at Trinity Academy of Raleigh, North Carolina. As a Ph.D Biologist, he has authored two college biology laboratory texts and has published 26 reports of original research in the fields of Ecology, Plant Physiology, Biochemistry and Science Educational Theory. In 2006, he coauthored Wisdom and Eloquence: a Christian Paradigm for Classical Learning, published by Crossway Books, Chicago. His career spans 26 years in K-12 and higher education, during which he has served in a variety of teaching and administrative capacities, including Academic Vice President for a liberal arts college and Director for a consortium of ten colleges and universities. He was founding headmaster for New Covenant Schools in Virginia, founding executive director for the society for Classical Learning and a founding board member for the American School of Lyon, France. He is a certified facilitator for Appreciative Inquiry, an AQIP reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and a Consultant to Colleges and schools across the nation.

ISM’s Faculty Evaluation

Posted on by Society for Classical Learning

ISM’s recommended alternative to mission statements as the sole centerpiece in marketing: a) the 12-word mission statement b) the ‘portrait of the graduate’ and c) the ‘characteristics of faculty professional excellence.’

Walker Buckalew

Executive Consultant, Independent School Management

In additon to his role as a consultant with ISM, a firm serving more than 4,000 school clients, Dr. Buckalew is also the author of eight non-fiction books and three Christian fiction books.

Crafting Purpose and Outcome Statements

Posted on by Society for Classical Learning

ISM’s approach to strategic planning: viability-focused planning that is simultaneously conceptual and financial: an overview of both process and product.

Walker Buckalew

Executive Consultant, Independent School Management

In additon to his role as a consultant with ISM, a firm serving more than 4,000 school clients, Dr. Buckalew is also the author of eight non-fiction books and three Christian fiction books.