As Head of School, one of the great opportunities I have is to collaborate with individuals who have a very special, deep, and abiding interest in the school– our trustees.  Trustees support the school as fiduciaries, strategizers, and generative thought leaders.  Oftentimes, the work of trustees is not evident to the larger community.  Below is some information about the role of an independent school board member and how we collaborate to ensure that Moravian Academy continues to advance in a positive direction.

In their fiduciary capacity, trustees have a duty of care, a duty of loyalty, and a duty of obedience.  Trustee duty of care requires that trustees act with common sense and informed judgment.  As Head of School, it is my responsibility to ensure that trustees have the information they need to make informed decisions that are in the best long-term interest of the school.  Trustees annually sign conflict of interest and confidentiality forms to ascertain their commitment to act in the school’s best interest.  Of the many reasons for confidentiality, perhaps the most important is that it provides all board members with a safe environment to think out loud, engage in rigorous debate, and come to consensus. Breaches of confidentiality can lead to inaccurate, even destructive, rumors and invariably erode the trust board members must have in each other to serve the school well.  Trustee duty of loyalty requires trustees to exercise their authority to act in good faith in the best interests of the school.  As a trustee, they are not representing any constituency of the school but rather the future of the school.  Trustee duty of obedience is about ensuring they maintain focus on advancing the mission of the school, resources are used appropriately, and that the school is in compliance with applicable laws.

Trustees also provide important strategic thinking and planning for the school. Trustees participate in planning, building, and looking ahead to the school’s future.  Finally, as generative thought leaders, trustees support the head of school with vision, direction and problem-solving at a high level.  Trustees maintain strategic, high-level support while the head of school is charged with the operational leadership of running a high-functioning school. The head works with the board and staff to implement board policies. As head of Moravian Academy, I work with a talented senior leadership team to support all three campuses.  The leadership team includes our campus directors, Associate Head of School, Chief Financial and Operations Officer, Director of Enrollment Management, Director of Community and Inclusion, Director of Institutional Advancement, Director of Communications and Marketing, and Director of External Programs.  

The board accomplishes its work through a variety of committees, including finance, governance, audit, advancement, and buildings and grounds, among others.  Periodically task forces are formed to accomplish specific time-bound goals as well.  The governance committee of the board is responsible for identifying prospective trustees who can help advance the school.  As Moravian Academy looks to the future, we will need the support of the entire community to help ensure our school and students thrive.  If you have a special skill or talent to contribute, we invite you to let us know.  There are many opportunities to get involved to make a difference, whether serving on a committee or perhaps even as a future trustee.  Dedicated, talented, and service-oriented individuals have served our school in this capacity for hundreds of years, and it will take similar like-minded people to help us in the years to come.