The Delicate Dance: Strategic Work vs. Tactical Work

Boards of Trustees sometimes confuse strategic work and tactical/operational work, which can lead to inefficiencies and missed opportunities. The distinction must be clear—strategic work involves the school governance and tactical work concerns managing school operations. Trustees must understand the differences between these two types of work and carefully avoid involving themselves in operations.

Six Questions to Cultivate Strategic Thinking Within Independent School Boards

In the complex landscape of independent schools, strategic thinking often stands as a beacon of success and an indicator of sustainability. The journey toward effective strategic governance, however, is riddled with challenges unique to each school Board.

Join this webinar to discuss six questions to ask that will help you overcome obstacles that inhibit strategic thinking within independent school Boards.

The Newest ISM Recommendations for Head Support and Evaluation

School Heads require sound, comprehensive support to ensure they can fulfill their responsibilities.

ISM has long recommended that the Board create a Head Support and Evaluation Committee (HSEC) to do just that—provide strategic support so the Head can focus on tactical school issues.

Unfortunately, many schools get the Head Support and Evaluation Committee wrong—from the individuals involved to the plan they follow to who sits as the Committee Chair.

Improve the Group Dynamics on Your Board

Group dynamics impact any organization’s successful operation. Your school’s Board of Trustees is no exception. Specific behaviors and roles are common in groups, and Trustees must always be cognizant of these group elements to keep your Board’s efforts on track and strategically productive. Often the effects are positive—the Board needs qualified leaders to support followers, members who act and those who react, and down-to-earth types to balance the visionaries.

The Board’s Path to Development

Guiding the school’s fundraising efforts is one of the Board’s primary responsibilities. The Development Committee plays a critical role in enabling the Board to further its strategic and financial goals. How do you ensure your Development Committee effectively supports the Board’s fundraising initiatives?

In this webinar, ISM Consultant Michael Christopher will discuss how to form a Development Quartet (Board President, Development Committee Chair, School Head, and Development Director) and how this group can robustly further your development efforts.

The New and Better Way to Market to Your Ideal Families in 2022–23

Measuring Success and ISM have been leaders in research and data-backed consultations for decades. Join us to discover the right way—and recognize the wrong way—to identify mission-appropriate families to meet your enrollment goals.

When it comes to enrollment, identifying and targeting mission-appropriate families is time-consuming and sometimes feels downright impossible.

What You Need to Know About Private Schools and Cryptocurrency

Discover whether you should accept cryptocurrency for your school’s tuition payments, donations, and more.

Cryptocurrency is the new hot topic—but can feel pretty foreign if you haven’t spent time studying it.

What do you do if a family asks if they can pay their student’s tuition in Bitcoin? How about if a donor offers a gift in Ethereum? Is it smart to engage in this type of investing for your private school?

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