Southern Association of Independent Schools

Minutes

Southern Association of Independent Schools

Board of Directors

AmeliaIsland, FL – July 10, 2004

Present: All Board Members

Call to Order: President Sandra Adams called the meeting to order at 9am, introducing Myron Harrington as a new board member attending his first meeting.

Report of the Minutes of the Executive Committee spring meeting: Dr. Krenson gave a report on the discussions at that meeting in April.

Report of the Treasurer: Mr. Murphy reported on the annual budget providing another anticipated surplus this year. He led discussion of the 04-05 budget, a benchmark goal of between 50-100% of the annual operating budget for reserves, and key events and indicators affecting the financial condition of the association. Dr. Redmon was asked to develop ideas for the use of the surplus funds. A full audit report should be available at the regular October meeting of the board.

Report on NAIS activities: Dr. Davison reported on initiatives at NAIS including the People of Color Conference plans, legal issues, strategic planning at the national level, and membership issues.

Report of the Executive Director: Dr. Redmon expressed thanks to the board for their time and energy making possible a strong financial and membership position for SAIS. He outlined the scope of work for staff over the past year and for the next, reported on the remarkable advances made in accreditation programs for SAIS ONLY schools and SAIS-SACS DUAL schools, updated the collaborative activities with state associations, briefed the board on discussions with Vanderbilt University for a southern research and advanced study institute, outlined plans for the Heads Conference in Atlanta and the SACS meeting in Atlanta, and called special attention to the extraordinary contributions made by Ms. Lori Spear in her first year as Director of Program Services.

Executive Session: The board met in executive session to discuss the completed evaluations by the board and by the executive director, led by Mr. Jernberg.

Report of the Accreditation Committee: Mr. Chambers gave a full report on all aspects of the accreditation programs offered by SAIS. He offered thanks to all involved, presented the schools in the program, discussed the negotiations with SACS, reported on preparations for NAIS recognition of the SAIS ONLY program, and thanked Ned Fox for his consulting help with these efforts. He presented a recommendation from the Accreditation Committee to consider Standard changes every five years, with a one year notice of the changes to schools involved.

Report on Membership definitions: President Adams led a discussion of the definition of membership for SAIS member schools. After much discussion,a motion to add “current IRS 501(c)3 classification, supported by a copy of the IRS letter of designation” as an additional requirement for membership beginning July 10, 2004, was offered and seconded. Current members without such designation are grandfathered. MOTION TO ADOPT: APPROVED BY ALL PRESENT.

Next Meeting: The next meeting of the board is October 23, 2004, beginning at 1:30pm at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Buckhead, Atlanta, GA, preceding the annual business meeting of the association. The next meetings of the Executive Committee will take place in December at the SACS meeting in AtlantaGA, and in April 2005, in Atlanta. The next summer meeting of the board will be July 7-9 or 14-16, at a location to be determined.

Adjournment: There being no further business before the board, a motion to adjourn until the next meetingwas offered and seconded. MOTION TO ADOPT: APPROVED BY ALL PRESENT.

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Margaret Wade, Secretary Thomas Redmon, Exec Dir