Independent School Management and Governance

Fred Calder joined Howard Greene & Associates in 2007, making available his decades of experience in the leadership of independent schools to Senior Administrators and Boards of Trustees. Frequently he and Howard Greene collaborate, as they have for years, to address the critical issues of school mission, governance and structure.

Believing that creative adaptation to change is the critical ingredient for the healthy survival of independent schools, Howard Greene & Associates offers the following consultation services. We customize our work for each school, and are pleased to talk with school leaders regarding their needs and the ways we can assist them in reaching their goals. As principals, we bring many decades of engagement in the world of independent schools.

1. 1. The outlook for independent education: where does your school fit?
   A comprehensive review placing your school in the context of external forces and trends that need to be anticipated. This service focuses on the perceptions and expectations among your school’s constituencies, present and prospective; demographic trends; financial considerations; peer competitors; relationship to the government; and preservation of independence.
2. 2. Strategic planning.
   Facilitating a comprehensive strategic planning process with school stakeholders based on a thorough review of the school’s mission statement and current planning. The process may include phone interviews with each trustee to elucidate major issues, engage all members, and focus the retreat agenda as efficiently as possible.
3. 3. The elements of good trusteeship and principles of effective governance.
   An examination of the Board’s and Board Member’s roles, their relationship to the Head and the school’s constituencies, new issues in governance, the Board’s organizational structure, and areas of strength and weakness.
4. 4. Enrollment, admissions, and recruitment.
   An assessment of major issues surrounding the school’s enrollment, including branding, marketing, and recruitment in an era when waiting for the phone to ring is no longer an option.
5. 5. Financial management.
   An exploration of issues such as the allocation of resources, sound budgets, endowment management, debt control, executive compensation, and faculty compensation systems including merit pay.
6. 6. Informational presentations and seminars for members of the school community.
   Presentations to various stakeholders on key issues, including: the college admissions landscape; paying for college; strengthening your school’s reputation and understanding among colleges and universities; and sustainability of the institution and the environment.
7. 7. Assessment of key administrative and staff components.
   An audit and recommendations in critical areas including: administrative structure; personnel policies; enrollment program and staff; and the college counseling program and staff.
8. 8. Senior leadership coaching.
   Working with the head of school or other senior administrators on leadership management issues as desired, Including: analysis of the human organization; contextual roles; limits of authority; probabilities of success; non- negotiable positions; team building; and getting to the affirmative resolution.
9. 9. Conflict resolution.
   Providing mediation, group facilitation, and conflict analysis involving individuals or groups in the school community. Working actively with stakeholders to resolve conflicts that arise among or between Board members, head of school, faculty, parents, and students.
10. 10. School Head and Board Member communication.
    Facilitating dialogue between Board members and School Head with the goal of strengthening relationships and the advancement of the school. Aiding in resolving differences in leadership style and the direction of the institution.
11. 11. Transition to New Head of School.
    Assisting the Board in a review of the school’s present circumstances, needs, and goals. Development of the job description and preparation for the search.

Read Fred Calder's Letter to Schools - August 2008
Read Fred Calder's Letter to Schools - September 2007

College Counseling Consulting

We have found that college placement is a top concern for families today in their selection and evaluation of both independent and public schools. How schools manage this critical aspect of their educational process is crucial to maintaining their families' satisfaction, contributing to their students' future development, and securing their reputation. Explaining to students, parents, faculty, and their boards of trustees or school boards the level of competition and complexity in selective college admissions today, and the importance of connecting to a wide variety of colleges, helps them to see the school's college counseling process in context. The professional team at Howard Greene & Associates can serve as the key independent resource for your school to ensure that your college counseling office is providing the best possible support for your students and families.

The team at Howard Greene & Associates has a long history of working with independent schools and public schools to develop high quality, effective college counseling programs. We can help schools:

1. 1. structure the staff recruiting process, developing goals and standards for college counseling personnel and the school.
2. 2. interview and select talented college counseling professionals to manage this essential school function.
3. 3. train and develop new or existing counselors in our proven college admissions program, using the Greenes' Guides books and our Ten-Step Plan to selective college admissions.
4. 4. transition to a new college counselor or process by playing an ongoing support role through one or more college admissions cycles.
5. 5. manage the loss of a key college counselor by taking over the college counseling function for one or more college admissions cycles.
6. 6. inform parents and students about college admissions trends and procedures through on-campus seminars and bulk purchases of Greenes' Guides to Educational Planning books, and the Ten Steps to College with the Greenes PBS video/dvd and workbooks.

The following is a list of some of the independent schools we have consulted to on college counseling over the years:

• Abington Friends School
• Beaver Country Day School
• Berkely-Carroll School
• Chicago Latin School
• Cushing Academy
• Dalton School
• Fieldston School
• Germantown Friends School
• Greens Farms Academy
• Greenwich Academy
• Hebron Academy
• Hewitt School
• Kimball Union Academy
• La Jolla Country Day School
• Laurel School, Purnell School
• Nightingale-Bamford School
• Riverdale Country Day School
• St. Gregory School (Tucson)
• St. Stephen's School (Rome)

Admissions Consulting

Recruitment, enrollment, and retention of qualified and appropriate students are essential processes for both independent schools and colleges. Understanding their school's strengths, image, appeal, and applicant base, and recognizing the overall admissions context today, will help admissions officers respond to the concerns of students and parents, and more effectively target their admissions efforts. The professional team at the Howard Greene & Associates can serve as the key independent resource for your school, college or university to ensure that your admissions office is providing the best possible support for your students, families, and institution.

The team at Howard Greene & Associates has considerable expertise available to independent schools and colleges to help them to develop high quality, effective admissions and enrollment programs. We can help schools:

1. 1. structure the admissions staff recruiting process, developing goals and standards for college admissions personnel and the institution.
2. 2. interview and select talented admissions professionals to manage this essential school function.
3. 3. train and develop new or existing admissions counselors.
4. 4. understand their admissions pool and process through customized survey and research tools and analysis.
5. 5. transition to new admissions counselors or a changing admissions process by playing an ongoing support role through one or more college or school admissions cycles.
6. 6. inform parents and students about college or school admissions trends and procedures through on-campus seminars and bulk purchases of Greenes' Guides books.

The following is a list of some of the schools and colleges we have consulted to on admissions or guidance over the years:

• Drew University
• Lehigh University
• Lynn University
• University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
• University of Rochester
• Susquehanna University

Environmental Sustainability

Wynn Calder, President of Sustainable Schools, LLC, offers his years of experience in Environmental Sustainability consulting through Howard Greene & Associates. Specific services include:

1. 1. Education for Sustainability: How independent schools are responding to our 21st century challenges
   Presentation to administration, faculty and staff on: (a) education for sustainability as critical response to national and global challenges and (b) addressing sustainability through curriculum, operations, policy and planning.
2. 2. Sustainability Assessment
   Assessment of environmental sustainability in administration, operations, curriculum, and community outreach. Consider integrated plan for long-term environmental sustainability.
3. 3. Sustainability in planning and practice
   Work with administrative leaders, trustees, senior faculty, and staff on strategic visioning for environmental sustainability. Assist in development of long-term plan with sustainability in administration, operations, curriculum and community outreach.
4. 4. Going Green: sustainability and campus operations
   Work with business officer, director of facilities, staff, and others to implement sustainability in operations: Energy (efficiency, green construction and renovations); Transportation (parking spaces; campus fleet; carpooling; school bus services, etc.); Landscaping (native plants; minimal pesticide use; permeable pavement; etc.); Water (greywater; drip irrigation; shower heads; toilets; etc.); Indoor Air Quality (no-VOC paints; non-toxic cleaners; carpeting; ventilation; etc.); Recycling (waste reduction and reuse); and Food (local; organic; fair trade).
5. 5. Sustainability and the Business Office: green purchasing and budgeting
   Consider options in school purchasing and operations practices, including vendor contracts, energy purchasing and energy management planning.
6. 6. Sustainability in the curriculum
   Exploration with faculty on integrating concepts of environmental sustainability and sustainable development into existing courses and departments. Consider introductory, required, and "general education" courses and course units.