Independent School Counsel,
Inc.
Announces a
For the 2009-10 school year
(Deerfield-Windsor is an
independent, coed, day, K4-12 school of approximately 865 students located in
southwest Georgia, equidistant between Macon, GA and Tallahassee, FL)
Independent
School Counsel, Inc. (ISC), consultants
to the search, invites candidates and nominations for this healthy and steadily
growing K4-12 independent school.
Applications
are requested by October 15 to
ensure full consideration. The
school desires to appoint the next Head of School by January 2009, with a
starting date of July 1, 2009.
ISC
Consultants Dave Skillen and Ted Lingenheld are coordinating the search for Deerfield-Windsor
School.
The
Opportunity:
This
opening offers a talented school leader a unique opportunity to lead
Deerfield-Windsor through its next planning process, which will set the future
agenda for the school. Deerfield-Windsor has been a previous ISC client and the
school is well known to our consulting team. The new Head of School will succeed W. T. Henry, who will
retire in 2009 after 23 years at Deerfield-Windsor, the last 20 as head. During this time, enrollment has
approximately doubled, and the academic and co-curricular programs, both well
established, have earned respect among state and regional independent schools.
The timing is excellent for the next leader at a school that continues to grow
and whose Board of Trustees is eager to develop a new blueprint to assure a
healthy and viable future.
Note: We strongly encourage all interested
candidates to visit the school website in addition to reviewing the information
provided below.
Mission Statement:
Deerfield-Windsor
School exists to inspire in its students a passion for learning, a commitment
to personal integrity, and a sense of social responsibility.
Deerfield-Windsor
School Profile, History and Governance:
Deerfield-Windsor School
was founded in 1964.
Enrollment is currently
858 students in grades Kindergarten/4 through 12, with an additional 15-20
students anticipated for 2008-09. The ultimate size of the school is a key
component to be explored in the planning process.
The school occupies two
campuses: The Upper and Middle schools (Grades 6-12) on one, and the Lower
School (Grades K4-5) on the former Windsor Academy campus about three miles
from the US/MS campus. The development of a master plan for long-term facility
use and needs will be a significant component of the planning process.
Deerfield-Windsor School
is governed by a self-perpetuating Board of Trustees with 24 members elected
for five-year terms.
In theory and practice,
the Deerfield-Windsor Board of Trustees ascribes to the Principles of Good
Practice as outlined by the
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).
The
Educational Program:
The school admits
students of average and above-average ability and educational achievement. All students are required to follow the
College Preparatory Curriculum specified by the University System of Georgia
and the HOPE Scholarship.
Advanced
Placement courses are offered in English Language, English Literature, AB
Calculus, Studio Art, Physics, Biology, Spanish, US History and Government and
Politics.
The Class of 2008 had 78
students graduate, who averaged 1770 on the SAT in 2007, with both verbal and
mathematical scores in close proximity for the past six years. 66% of this class attended college in
Georgia, and 34% chose an out-of-state college. In 2006, students sat for 122 AP
examinations; 15% scored 5Õs, 29% scored 4Õs and 30% scored 3Õs.
The Class of
2008 had three National Merit Finalist and six Commended Students.
Among the
impressive list of colleges and universities attended by DWS graduates in the
most recent five years are: Auburn
University, College of William and Mary, Duke University, Emory University,
Florida State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia Southern University,
Howard University, Universit(ies) of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina,
and Richmond; US Military Academy, US Naval Academy, Vanderbilt University,
Wake Forest University and Yale University.
The Learning
Support Center (LSC) exists to support students with specific learning
disabilities or Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). Student who qualify for the CenterÕs services are assigned
to the Center two or three times per week for structured study time, tutoring,
testing strategies, study skills and coordination with teachers and parents.
The role of the LSC is an important element to be explored in the planning
process.
DWS is accredited by the
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), and the Georgia
Accrediting Commission (GAC). It
is a member of the College Board, Southern Association of Independent Schools
(SAIS), and Georgia Independent School Association (GISA).
The School Community:
There are approximately
80 teachers and support staff with an average length of service at DWS over 20
years. Turnover is light, but the next few years will see a number of positions
created through retirements.
The Parent-Teacher
Organization (PTO) fulfills several important functions on behalf of the
school.
á Contributed $150,000 in FY Õ07-Ô08
á Grandparents Day support
á Teacher Appreciation Luncheons
á New parent coffees as school year begins
All parents are billed
$25 and are considered members. The PTO board meets monthly. The PTO president and president-elect
are voting members of the board of trustees.
HeadmasterÕs
Office
The following
staff report to the Headmaster:
á
Assistant
Headmaster/Upper-Middle School Director
á Lower School Director
á Admissions Director
á Development Director
á Business Manager
á
Athletic
Director
The Office of
the Headmaster has a full-time Administrative Assistant whose responsibilities
include:
á
Office
management; scheduling; clerical support; greeting visitors; problem solving
á
School
Directory in coordination with Admissions and Publications offices;
Student/Parent Handbook in coordination with Division Heads, Academic Dean and
Dean of Students
á
Daily
coordination of substitute teachers
á
Recording
secretary for board of trustees
á
Supervision
of student office assistants
Admissions,
Finance and Development:
Admissions:
The Office of
Admissions and Registrar is responsible for the recruitment and enrollment of
new students, re-enrollment efforts, and subsequent student course registration
and records management duties.
Student
re-enrollment is consistently above 90%.
There are currently waiting lists for several Lower School grade levels.
Development:
The
Development Office is responsible for fund-raising program planning and
execution, alumni affairs, communications, publications, special events and
volunteer coordination.
The annual
fund target for FY Õ07-Ô08 was $180,000.
A monthly
newsletter, ÒKnight NotesÓ is mailed to over 3000 constituents, including
parents, alumni and grandparents.
Endowment
Fund growth will be an important future challenge for the Development function
and office.
The Director
of Development and Publications (new to the position in 2008) supervises an
assistant director of development.
Finance:
The SchoolÕs
operating budget for 2007-08 was $7,145,000, of which 78% was funded by tuition
revenue. Other revenue sources
include: cafeteria – 4.4%; athletics – 0.6%; auxiliary services
– 4.8%; contributions – 6.7%; and other income – 5.1%.
DWS has an
outstanding tax-free bond in the face amount of $4 million. Annual debt service is $439,000, of
which approximately one-third is funded through a charitable lead trust. The
development of a long-term funding strategy will be a important element in the
planning process.
Tuition for
2008-09 ranges from $5285 for full day Kindergarten to $8905 for Grades 9-12.
A graduated
tuition discount is offered to families with multiple children in the school.
A Building
Fund fee is assessed to each new family in the amount of $1000.
Teacher
salaries are competitive with GISA norms.
Benefits include health insurance, TIAA-CREF retirement plan, long term
disability insurance and term life insurance.
Faculty
children receive remission of 50% of tuition costs.
The Business
Manager reports to the head of school, and oversees a staff of four people
– Office Manager, Assistant Student Billing Clerk, Assistant
Bookkeeper/Accounts Payable Clerk, and Payroll/Benefits Clerk.
The Greater Albany Community:
Albany is perceived by
its residents as a wonderful place to raise a family while enjoying a high
quality of life in the community, and having easy access to beaches (Atlantic
Ocean to the east and Gulf of Mexico the south are both less than a three hour
drive), and lakes (nearby Lake Blackshear and Lake Eufaula offer lakefront
homes, boating and fishing) for recreation.
The Albany Metropolitan
Statistical Area (MSA) has an estimated population of around 165,000. It was founded in 1836 as a trading
center along the Flint River, which offers navigable waters for merchandising
by boat. Still the trading
hub of Southwest Georgia, Albany now lists health care (Phoebe Putney Medical
Center and HCA Palmyra Medical Center), education (Albany State University and
Darton College), manufacturing, (P&G, Cooper Tire, Masterfoods and Miller
Brewing) and a Marine Logistical Support Center as its major employers. It is often called the ÒPecan Capital
of the WorldÓ for the many pecan groves one observes in all directions. Southwest Georgia is also referred to
as the ÒQuail Capital of the WorldÓ for its outstanding hunting opportunities.
Southwest Georgia
Regional Airport is serviced by frequent flights by Atlanta Southeast and Delta
Airlines. It also supports UPS and
DHL shipping. Passenger rail service
will soon connect Albany to Atlanta and other major southeastern cities.
Albany has a vibrant arts
culture – Ballet Theater, Arts Council, Chorale, Symphony, Art Museum,
Theater Albany and Artist Guild), and offers recreational and educational
resources such as the RiverQuarium, Civil Rights Museum and Weatherbee
Planetarium. A sculpture of Ray
Charles, born in Albany in 1930, occupies his namesake plaza downtown.
Additional information on
Albany, GA may be found at:
http://www.americantowns.com/ga/albany
http://www.albanytomorrow.com/
http://www.albanyga.com/cvb/history.html
http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?path=/CitiesCounties/Cities&id=h-2209
The Position and Its Responsibilities:
School Leadership, Management
and Development
á
Provide
leadership to a planning process designed and intended to assure the schoolÕs
readiness and ability to provide a sound and relevant educational experience
for tomorrowÕs leaders
á
Be
responsible for the overall operation of the school program, human resources
and facilities
á
Oversee
the financial affairs of the School and work closely with the Board in
developing a long-term funding plan, strategies and implementation.
á
Maintain
a high profile by attending school events and being visible in the broader
community to build awareness, strengthen parent relations and encourage support
of the School.
á
Maintain
essential relationships with professional associations and accrediting agencies
á
Effect
constant, open communication with the Board, staff, parents and community
Educational Leadership
á
Lead
the faculty and Board in planning for the SchoolÕs continuing maturation as a
highly respected independent school; provide strong, collaborative leadership
to ensure consensus on future direction
á
Oversee
all administrative, academic and student life programs to achieve a complete
educational experience; be a confident, inclusive decision-maker when
challenging issues/disagreements occur
á
Set
as a goal for the faculty and staff that every student will achieve to his/her
fullest academic and personal potential; be involved in the daily life of the
students by teaching and/or leading student activities
á
Recruit
teaching and administrative personnel whose philosophies match the SchoolÕs and
who are committed to the successful academic and personal development of its
students; develop and apply strategies to continuously improve faculty salaries
and benefits to ensure the highest quality academic program
á
Develop
with the faculty a positive, reinforcing system for evaluating effective
teaching, strengthening the schoolÕs curriculum, and encouraging continued
professional improvement
Candidate Qualifications:
á
Enthusiasm
and appreciation for the schoolÕs mission
á
A
steadfast commitment to and talent and love for guiding the academic and
individual development of each student
á
A
person of vision, able to think expansively and creatively in building a new
school for the new century
á
Proven
strength in interpersonal skills and human resource management; the natural
talent to meet people easily and cordially; comfort with people representing a
diversity of backgrounds
á
An
appreciation for the unique
culture of the South and its lifestyle
Professional Background and Experience Sought:
á
A
masterÕs degree in administration/supervision; some prior administrative
experience, especially in areas of admissions, financial planning and strategy and campus evaluation and
planning
á
Minimum
five years of recent school leadership experience as a school head or division
head, and curriculum development experience at the K-12 grade levels;
experience in an independent school is strongly preferred
á
Experience
in, or strong awareness of current college placement strategies and methods;
the ability to ensure a strong college placement practice at DWS
The
Search Process:
A
complete application will include the following information for the Search
Committee:
1. Cover letter expressing interest in this position
and explaining why the candidate believes his/her qualifications match those
sought by Deerfield-Windsor School
2. Current resume (include email
address)
3. List of at least five
references with current phone numbers.
References should encompass the present position and most recent
previous position.
4. Statement of educational
philosophy or personal statement
The application process includes the
following steps:
1. Send your materials by
email attachment in PDF or MS Word to eclingenheld@isc-erh.com
or drskillen@isc-erh.com.
2. When adding subsequent materials to your file,
such as reference letters, please email them to the same address or fax them to
919-341-8334.
3. Your application will be
acknowledged to your email address.
4. ISC
will notify you of your status after your materials are complete and have been
reviewed by the Search Committee.
5. Questions
not answered above should be directed to either the email addresses or phone
numbers shown.
Nominations
for this position and questions from candidates should be directed to:
Ted Lingenheld
919-264-8636
OR
Dave Skillen
First
Round Interviews will begin in early October.
Target
Date for Appointment of Head: January 1, 2009
Deerfield-Windsor
School is an Equal Opportunity Employer.