In August 2024, the Regents of the University of Texas System adopted a new policy banning its 14 universities and hospitals from addressing current political issues. “Institutions should not, in their official capacity, issue or express positions on issues of the day, however appealing they may be to some members of the university community,” reads the statement. (This does not apply to individual faculty, staff, or students.
Pollution Liability: Is Your School Protected?
Private schools are not exempt from environmental laws and regulations such as the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Pollution-related lawsuits filed against educational institutions are common. For example, Yale University had to pay $348,000 to settle allegations by the Environmental Protection Agency that it risked the safety of faculty, students, and nearby residents through the improper storage of hazardous materials in unsafe containers. Stanford University paid nearly $1 million to settle similar allegations.
How to Create a Culture of Civil Discourse Among Independent School Students
Surf any online forum to see how quickly differences of opinion give way to name-calling and insults. What’s worse, most of us try to avoid hard conversations and stick to our own little groups where we talk but don’t really listen to others. Yet, school leaders are tasked with helping young people understand the world around them, develop viewpoints, and engage in thoughtful conversations about controversial topics.
The “Marriage” of Board Chair and School Head
Originally published November 10, 1975
The leader of the Board of Trustees and the leader of the school are partners. One cannot function without the understanding, guidance, and respect of the other. It is, in fact, a marriage. And like other marriages, it is subject to ups and downs, honeymoons and divorces. Obviously, if two fine and able people are involved, then the welfare of the school is critically dependent on a “successful marriage.”
Want a Stronger School Culture? Increase Your Professional Development Budget
ISM often finds that private-independent schools underfund professional development, unaware of its importance and thus downplaying it in their budgets. Your Board and senior leaders must allocate enough funding to professional development for all school employees. The difference could be a vibrant school culture instead of a school where staff and faculty are simply going through the motions.
Selecting Your School’s Legal Counsel: Finding the Right Fit
Your school may look to recruit an attorney for Board membership. During Board meetings, a lawyer can answer common legal questions and offer insight and cautionary advice on potential problems. This individual can also serve as your school’s official legal counsel—but that is often an unwise decision.
Mergers: An Option for Long-Term Sustainability
In 2020, ISM published a series of articles suggesting that the merging of independent schools was likely in many marketplaces. As the COVID pandemic has receded, this is no longer likely—it is reality.
Five Things Heads Need to Know About Student Well-Being
As a School Head, you juggle many priorities each day. Amid the demands of academic excellence, Board and staff management, and administrative duties, the pressing issue of student well-being also requires attention.
Numerous studies have documented the declining state of student well-being. Drawing on those, host Scott Wilson and researcher, Dr. Bryan Smyth, will explore more deeply the realities and nuances of declining student well-being in our schools and, importantly, the underlying factors contributing to this worrisome trend.
Scheduling That’s Efficient, Effective, and Stress-Free—It’s Possible!
Are you knee-deep in the annual scheduling process for your school? Now is a great time to assess what is and isn’t working.
Join Carrie Nelson, ISM ScheduLogic Manager, and James Collins, ISM Director of Sales, as they discuss ways to evaluate the effectiveness of your current scheduling methods. Whether you’re wrestling with communication breakdowns, software limitations, or logistical challenges, they’ll help you pinpoint areas causing unnecessary stress and frustration.
Make Your Meetings Matter
Meetings are necessary for moving any organization or institution forward—they are the way business gets done. But they can also be real killers of time and effectiveness. If you are responsible for meetings, whether as Board Chair, School Head, Division Head, or operations lead, it is important to make your meetings matter. Doing so not only helps your school operate more efficiently but also enhances each team member’s sense of responsibility and contributes to improved morale.