The Longevity of Heads and the Effectiveness of Schools Sponsored by George K. Baum & Company 

John Littleford, Senior Partner, Littleford and Associates

Long term heads leave legacies of stronger schools. Short term heads leave power vacuums filled by faculty, board and parents. Long term heads stay at least 10 years and leave accomplishments that survive, traditions that are valued and faculty cultures that are healthy and focusing on the same mission. Short term heads may contribute to political instability on the boards themselves, constantly changing definitions of the mission, and a real or perceived community perception of weakness. This session highlights 20 years of powerful research showing the correlation between longer serving heads and the greater academic and financial strength and reputation of schools. The session will also point out the ways in which strong boards hire, nurture, evaluate, reward and keep long term "legacy maker" heads.

Facilitated Deep Dive Groups by the following affiliations:

• Small Schools:  Less than 50 Employees
• Mid-sized Schools: 51-199 Employees
• Large Schools - More than 200 Employees
• Faith-based Schools

Current and Coming Legal and Political Issues 

Debra Wilson, President, National Association of Independent Schools

It can be hard to track the ball as it bounces around Washington, DC these days. What is happening with immigration? Where are we with wage and hour? What does the NAIS TABS Report on Sex Abuse Prevention and Response mean to our school? Are therapy animals really becoming a thing? What other trends in risk management are affecting us? Come join this interaction session to dig into these and more issues on the horizon!

 All Heads of School and Business Officers will eat lunch in Room B.

• The Heads of School and Business Officers luncheon will include a legislative update and NAIS metro studies information session.

All Trustees will eat lunch in Room A.

• The Trustee luncheon will include a session led by John Littleford on Head Compensation: Knowing Your Head AND Your Constituents and the Balance of Transparency and Confidentiality in Board/Head Partnerships.

Breakout Sessions

Getting Outside the Bubble – Using Constituent Research to Set Strategic Priorities (Room C )

J. Craig Goebel, Principal and Stacy Williams, Director of Client Relations & Communications, Art & Science Group

We will explore how and why institutions can (and should) take a different approach to strategy – one that explicitly takes into consideration the points of view of their key constituents. Using research to inform strategic planning can help school leaders make tough choices, avoid investments in the wrong initiatives, and prioritize the right initiatives. Given the difficulty of leading change, indisputable data can help leadership move beyond the inevitable anecdote-driven conversations to truly advance an institution’s future.  In this session we will examine the underlying principles for a less painful and more effective strategic planning and positioning process, as well as the roles of the Board, Head of school and Business Officer in leading strategic planning efforts.

NC School Choice Programs: An Overview and Dialogue (Room A)

Darrell Allison, President,  Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina, Dr. Bartley R. Danielsen, Associate Professor of Finance and Real Estate, NC State University and President, Environmentalists for Effective Education, Cobb Atkinson, NCAIS Board Member and Head of School, Westchester Country Day, Dr. Bartley R. Danielsen, Assoc. Professor of Finance and Real Estate, NC State University and President, Environmentalists for Effective Education,and Linda Nelson, Executive Director, NCAIS

According to a recent public university study, ninety-four percent of families choosing state scholarship programs said that “educational quality” was the most important factor in selecting a private school for their children.  Thanks to the Opportunity Scholarship and Special Education Scholarship Grants, families are finding their “fit” in private and independent schools across the state.  Since its inception in 2011, parental school choice in NC has grown in both numbers of students and variety of programs with approximately half of NCAIS schools currently participating.  This session will begin with overview of the private school landscape and education trends in North Carolina.  We’ll learn about the growing state scholarship programs available to families seeking a high quality private education, including the state’s first-ever Education Savings Account being introduced in February 2018. We'll also learn about research related to the economic impact school choice programs can have on communities and property values.  We invite you to bring your thoughts and questions and join the dialogue with fellow school leaders about current and future programs: Are they a good fit for your school? What value can they bring your school? What are your concerns?  

Common (and not to common) Employment Law Mistakes Made by Independent Schools

Jon Yarbrough, Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP

There is more to school than the ABC’s and 1,2,3s.  Independent schools need to make sure that they also follow the ADA, FMLA, FLSA, Title VII and ever expanding alphabet of laws and regulations.  With employment litigation increasing – and a recent record setting jury verdict – smart employers are ensuring compliance with various state and employment laws to try to avoid winding up as a defendant in court.  This interactive session will explore some of the most common, and some not so common, mistakes made by independent schools that could land them in court.

4:45 pm

Fireside Chat for Female Heads (Pine Needles Lodge - In the Rough Lounge)

 5:30 pm

Social Sponsored by New Oasis International Education (Southern Pines Brewery - Bus will leave from Pine Needles Lodge at 5:30)

7:00 pm

Dinner  (Pine Needles Dining Room)

After Dinner

After Hours Social Sponsored by Elior North America (Pine Lodge Hospitality Room 171)

Head Compensation: Knowing Your Head AND Your Constituents

John Littleford, Senior Partner, Littleford and Associates

There are new intriguing and creative ways in which many independent schools are now compensating and retaining/rewarding their heads/directors. In addition to examining recent patterns in head compensation and benefit packages, this session will also discuss the possible ways that constituents might react when they becomes aware of a head’s package in the public domain or via the rumor mills. Do schools have appropriate plans in place to respond to constituent or media challenges and manage misperceptions and misunderstandings?  Are the leadership and the Board clear about the process for executive compensation and how to walk that delicate balance between transparency and confidentiality? Do school board leaders understand the law as it relates to head compensation and "safe harbors compliance.

The Balance of Transparency and Confidentiality in Board/Head Partnerships

John Littleford, Senior Partner, Littleford and Associates

The importance of the board chair/head partnership has been the topic of workshops and programs worldwide for many years but we have overlooked a discussion of the key relationship of the head with the rest of the board. The partnership of the head and chair can be overplayed, and if too close, can cause the other board members to feel marginalized and excluded. Creating political capital with each and every member of the board is an investment of time and energy. The payoff is greater trust of the board in the head and ultimately in the chair, as the head's strongest advocate.  We will also discuss much transparency in board/head dialogue and board discussions is healthy and how much confidentiality is necessary?