What does the Board of Trustees do and how do you become a Board Member?
The role of the Board of Trustees at independent schools, like Ranney, is to help set the strategic vision of the school and marshal resources to support this vision. As in other 501(c)(3) nonprofit schools, the Board approves and stewards the school's mission and also approves the annual budget and tuition changes. Ranney's Board of Trustees does not set operational policies or direct curricular/programmatic changes at the school. The Board also does not get involved in hiring decisions, with the exception of its role in hiring and evaluating the Head of School. The Board is invaluable in supporting the school's overall vision, but it does not play a role in the daily operations and management of the school.
Ranney is fortunate to have an incredibly supportive and distinguished group of Trustees, including parents, alumni, and past parents, who bring a range of experience and professional skill to the work of governance. Ranney's Board of Trustees offers counsel to the Head of School on many topics, but the Head, in partnership with the school's leadership team, is ultimately the one who sets policy related to curricula and safety, including COVID Response.
Ranney also enjoys the support of a broad group of volunteer parents and alumni who sit on various Board Committees. These committees include: Education, Marketing, Development, Diversity, Operations, the Medical Advisory Board, and the Alumni Leadership Council. The school also has Governance and Finance Committees comprised of Trustee members. Each of our Board committees is each Chaired by a member of the Board of Trustees along with an administrative liaison from the school's leadership team. The purpose of these Board Committee meetings is to solicit feedback and support related to a wide variety of school initiatives. For example, members of the Marketing Committee might discuss how to reach new communities or brainstorm taglines for advertising campaigns. The Development Committee helps Advancement craft messages to explain the purpose of the Ranney Fund and often assists in reaching out to peer parents to encourage everyone to participate at any level with which they feel comfortable. While these committees play a valuable role in providing feedback to the Head and school leadership team, these committees also do not direct operational policy.
The school renews membership on its Board Committees on an annual basis. If you are interested in learning more about how to join a Board Committee, please reach out to Chief Advancement Officer Jennifer Collins. Committee members may be nominated to become Trustees of the Board after serving on one or more Board Committees for at least one year. As a self-perpetuating Board, the Trustees ultimately are responsible for recruiting and appointing new members.
If I have questions about curricula, student life, or COVID response, to whom should I direct these questions?
Oversight of curriculum development is conducted by the Head of School, the Assistant Head of School, Division Heads, and the Department Chairs. For questions about curricula or student life, it is best to start with your Division Head. For questions about overall philosophy related to curricula and student life, you are welcome to reach out to Dr. Greg Martin, Assistant Head for Academics and Head of the Upper School, or to the Head of School.
Regarding COVID Response, Ranney is fortunate to have a distinguished group of medical doctors, including Dr. Meg Fisher, an expert in pediatric infectious disease, sitting on our Medical Advisory Board (MAB). The MAB has been instrumental in guiding the school safety through the pandemic. However, the MAB does not approve Safety and Quarantine Policy. The Head of School, in partnership with the school leadership team, is ultimately the one who establishes these policies based on MAB guidance, as well as current CDC and State guidelines. For questions related to COVID response, you are welcome to email safety@ranneyschool.org. These questions are shared with the leadership team as well as the COVID Response Team, which meets on a weekly basis and is comprised of school Administrators, nurses, counselors, and representatives from each division.
