Our BoardOf Governors.

St. Clement’s School
Board Meeting Highlights, Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Agenda – June 27, 2016

Highlights of the meeting include:

• Elena Holeton, Director of Admissions, answered questions regarding the 2018 Admissions Report to the Board and the St. Clement’s School 2018 Strategic Enrolment Plan documents that had been circulated prior to the meeting. Elena commented that the 2017-2018 Admissions Season was a strong one.
• A special slide presentation was given to highlight the work being done by the Property Committee to review and explore options pertaining to the School’s campus master plan.
• The Principal and the Chairs of the Board Standing Committees highlighted information set out in the reports that had been circulated in advance of the meeting:
  • Martha Perry, Principal, reviewed staffing changes for the 2018/2019 school year.
  •  Karen McKay, Chair of the Advancement Committee, provided an update on the Annual Giving Campaign, which is tracking well and should reach the campaign goal of $600,000. Karen also noted that the School will host a fundraising gala on April 6, 2019.
  • David Bacon, Chair of the Finance Committee, reviewed the financial results for the nine months ended April 30, 2018 and the forecast results for the 2017/2018 fiscal year. On behalf of James Black, Chair of the Investment Sub-Committee, David reported that the next step in the investment rebalancing will take place as planned on May 29.
  • Poonam Puri, Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee, asked Board members to complete and return the Board Self-Assessment Questionnaire and the Board Principal Assessment Questionnaire that had been circulated recently. Poonam reported that the Committee is preparing a list of nominees to fill Board vacancies for the upcoming 2018-2019 year.

St. Clement’s School
Board Meeting Highlights, May 16, 2018

Agenda – May 16, 2018

Highlights of the meeting include:

• Martha Perry, Principal, introduced new staff members Lauren delRio and Janice Meighan.
• The Principal and the Chairs of the Board Standing Committees highlighted information set out in the reports that had been circulated in advance of the meeting:
  • Martha reviewed enrolment for the 2018/2019 school year.
    Martha commented on the special event on April 30 at which Kevin Graham of Lookout Management presented and discussed feedback from the constituent surveys conducted by his firm last year and Martha and Heather Henricks discussed how the survey results tie in with the strategic plan initiatives.
  • Karen McKay, Chair of the Advancement Committee, provided an update on the Annual Giving Campaign, which is tracking well and should reach the campaign goal of $600,000.
  • Karen also commented on the success of the special House Party event held on April 21. The goal of engaging the community was accomplished and the event generated a small profit.
  • In the absence of Poonam Puri, Brian Denega, Board Chair, reported that the Governance and Nominating Committee is considering nominations that it has received from members of the SCS community to fill Board vacancies for the upcoming 2018-2019 year.
• Martha gave a special slide presentation to review the property development work done over the last five years, initially by the Property Visioning Group and laterally by the Property Committee. Martha emphasized that this work has focused on specific needs identified through consultation with all members of the SCS community. The primary objective in filling these needs is to support the students’ learning environment in the best possible way and to enhance the work environment for employees of the school. The Property Committee is continuing its work with a focus on development options, timing and costing.

St. Clement’s School
Board Meeting Highlights, April 11, 2018

Agenda – April 11, 2018

Highlights of the meeting include:

• Martha Perry, Principal, introduced and welcomed new Board member Alice Pitt.
• The Principal and the Chairs of the Board Standing Committees highlighted information set out in the reports that had been circulated in advance of the meeting:
  • Martha reviewed the current status of admissions for the 2018/2019 school year. Martha also provided a status report on the implementation of the various initiatives detailed in the 2017-2020 Strategic Plan.
  • Karen McKay, Chair of the Advancement Committee, provided an update on the Annual Giving Campaign, which is tracking well and is expected to achieve the campaign goal of $600,000. Karen also reviewed plans for the special House Party event scheduled April 21, noting that the goal for this event is to build community relations.
  • David Bacon, Chair of the Finance Committee, reviewed the financial results for the six months ended January 31, 2018 and the forecast results for the 2017/2018 fiscal year.
  • James Black, Chair of the Investment Sub-Committee, reported that the investment rebalancing is proceeding as planned.
  • Rob Chadwick, Chair of the Property Committee, reported on the ongoing work being done to develop a campus master plan. Upcoming meetings at both the Committee and Board levels will focus on priorities, costing and timing. Poonam Puri, Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee, reported that the Committee has prepared a first draft response to the questions detailed in the Standard Eight: Governance section of the Canadian Accredited Independent Schools Internal Evaluation Report; in September, this draft report will be presented to the Board members for review. The Committee is considering nominations to fill three Board vacancies for the upcoming 2018-2019 year.

St. Clement’s School
Board Meeting Highlights, February 21, 2018

Agenda – February 21, 2018

Highlights of the meeting include:

• Heather Henricks, Vice Principal Learning, Research and Innovation, provided the Board with information regarding planned changes to the SCS Timetable that will help the School to achieve the strategic plan goal of continuing to optimize student learning, well-being and programming.
• Martha Perry highlighted the information set out in the Principal’s Report that had been circulated in advance of the meeting.
• Karen McKay, Chair of the Advancement Committee, reported that the Annual Giving campaign is progressing well and plans are underway for the special House Party event scheduled on Saturday, April 21.
• David Bacon, Chair of the Finance Committee, discussed the meeting of the Investment Sub-committee at which representatives of the School’s investment management firms made presentations highlighting the investment performance through to December 31.
• As provided in General By-Law 1, the Governors elected Alice Pitt, Vice Provost Academic at York University, to fill an existing Board vacancy.

St. Clement’s School
Board Meeting Highlights, January 10, 2018

Agenda – January 10, 2018

Highlights of the meeting include:

• Martha Perry reported that the School is tracking its progress on strategic plan initiatives and will report this progress to the Board on a quarterly basis.
• David Bacon, Chair of the Finance Committee, reviewed the financial results for the three months ended October 31, 2017 and the forecast results for the 2017/18 fiscal year.
• David Bacon reviewed the information in the budget documents circulated in advance of the meeting, including the commentary describing the major budget assumptions and the statement of operating results comparing the 2018/2019 and 2017/2018 budgets. Following David’s review, the Board approved the 2018/2019 tuition fee, acceptance fee and operating budget recommended by the Finance Committee.
• Karen McKay, Chair of the Advancement Committee, reported that the Annual Giving Campaign is progressing well and the Committee is optimistic that the fundraising goal of $650,000 will be reached.
• Rob Chadwick, Chair of the Property Committee, provided an update on the ongoing Campus Master Plan work being considered and the Committee is continuing to work with the School’s consultants to determine next steps.
• The Board was advised that Poonam Puri, Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee, and Brian Denega, Board Chair, are meeting with a Board of Governors candidate with an educational background to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Elizabeth Smythe.
• The Governance and Nominating Committee is reviewing the Governance section of the Canadian Accredited Independent Schools Internal Evaluation Report and will be seeking related input from the Board members.

St. Clement’s School
Board Meeting Highlights, November 15, 2017

Agenda – November 15, 2017

Highlights of the meeting include:

• Martha Perry introduced new members of staff.
• Brian Denega, Chair, introduced and welcomed new Board member Hilary McLean. The 2017-2018 Board Committee Chairs were announced (David Bacon, Finance; Rob Chadwick, Property; Karen McKay, Advancement; Poonam Puri, Governance and Nominating) and the primary focus of each of the committees for the year ahead was discussed.
• The Principal and the Chairs of the Board Standing Committees highlighted information set out in the reports that had been circulated in advance of the meeting:
  • Martha Perry reported that the School has received the results of the surveys conducted during the last school year. These will be summarized and presented to parents and staff before the end of the year. The School is also tracking its progress in implementing the directives set out in the 2017-2020 Strategic Plan.
  • Karen McKay, Chair of the Advancement Committee, reported that the 2017-2018 Annual Fund Campaign has been launched with a goal of $600,000. The School is planning a community event this spring as a prelude to a larger gala the following year. The School’s strategic planning video has been well-received with over 3,600 views.
  • In the absence of David Bacon, Chair of the Finance Committee, Brian Denega reported that the Committee is meeting in November and again in December to review and approve the 2018/2019 operating budget and tuition fee. James Black, Chair of the Investment Sub-committee, reported that the first two investment rebalancing transactions were completed in June and September, and the rebalancing process is now 25% complete.
  • Rob Chadwick, Chair of the Property Committee, reported that the School is continuing to consider options for developing a campus master plan.
  • Poonam Puri, newly appointed Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee, reported that the Committee members met with Patti MacDonald, Executive Director of Canadian Accredited Independent Schools, to discuss our accreditation review scheduled for January 2020. The Committee continues to work on succession planning and the recruitment of individuals to assume targeted Board and committee positions.
• Members of the Board had a generative discussion on risk management.

St. Clement’s School
Board Meeting Highlights, September 25, 2017

Agenda – September 25, 2017

Highlights of the meeting include:

• Martha Perry introduced new members of staff.
• Brian Denega welcomed Meredith Roth, who replaces Kimberly Cudney as President of the Parents’ Association.
• David Bacon, Chair of the Finance Committee, welcomed Sam Marinucci, partner with the audit firm Hogg Shain and Scheck. David and Sam reviewed the financial results of the School for the 2017 fiscal year. The audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2017 were approved and Hogg Shain and Scheck were appointed auditors for the fiscal year ending July 31, 2018.
  David noted that financial forecasts for the 2017/2018 fiscal year will be presented on a quarterly basis. These forecasts will include the cost of the library renovation completed in September.
• Martha Perry reported on the following matters:
  • Martha reviewed the final admissions results for the 2017/2018 school year, noting that the School’s focus continues to be directed to finding the best mission-fit students.
  • Martha provided an overview of her 2017/2018 objectives.
  • The consulting firm Outlook Management has provided the results of the parent, student, staff and alumnae surveys that were completed last year. The School is encouraged by the positive feedback from these surveys. Highlights of the survey results will be presented to the community later this term.
  • In November, Patti MacDonald, Chair of Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS), will meet first with St. Clement’s School staff and later with the members of the Board of Governors to discuss the School’s upcoming CAIS accreditation review.
• The Chairs of the Board Standing Committees highlighted information set out in the reports that had been circulated in advance of the meeting:
  • Karen McKay, Chair of the Advancement Committee, reported that Paige Church, Annual Fund Chair, and her committee will be launching the new campaign early in October. The Board approved the Planned Giving Policies and Procedures document that had been developed by the Advancement staff and approved by the Advancement Committee.
  • Rob Chadwick, Chair of the Property Committee, reported that the School continues to meet with Craig Goodman, Principal with CS&P Architects, to finalize the campus master plan feasibility study.
  • Melissa Eldridge, Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee, reported broadly on the Board of Governor’s self-evaluation as well as the ongoing recruitment and cultivation of potential new Board members.

St. Clement’s School
Board Meeting Highlights, June 21, 2017

Agenda – June 21, 2017

Highlights of the meeting include:

• The Director of Admissions and the Director of Recruitment and Community Engagement presented the 2017Admissions’ Report to the Board. Discussions highlighted the expected positive impact that various elements of the new Strategic Plan will have on admission activities during the year ahead.
• The Principal and the Chairs of the Board Standing Committees highlighted information set out in the reports that had been circulated in advance of the meeting:
  • Martha Perry, Principal, review the various staffing changes for the 2017/2018 school year, including the appointment of Natalie LaForest, presently the Arts Curriculum and Department Leader, to replace Peter Hill as Head of the Senior School.
  • The draft strategic planning document 20/20 Vision for the Future, Developing the Outstanding Women of Tomorrow, Today, was approved by the Board. The Board Chair thanked Poonam Puri, Chair, and the other Strategic Planning Committee members, for their contributions in developing the strategic plan.
  • Karen McKay, Chair of the Advancement Committee, reported on the success of the 2016/2017 annual giving campaign, which exceeded the goal of $550,000. Karen noted that 2016/2017 was a very successful year, with various gift receipts beyond those designated to the annual giving program.
  • David Bacon, Chair of the Finance Committee, reviewed plans that the School’s Investment Sub-committee has developed for rebalancing the School’s investment portfolio.
  • Rob Chadwick reported that the Property Committee has commissioned an architectural study to review in further detail various campus planning options under consideration by the School.
  • Melissa Arruda, Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee, asked members to complete the annual SCS Principal Assessment Questionnaire and the SCS Board Self-Assessment Questionnaire; summary results will be reported at an upcoming Board meeting.

St. Clement’s School
Board Meeting Highlights, May 24, 2017

Agenda – May 24, 2017

Highlights of the meeting include:

• The Board received substantive presentations on the work underway by the Property and Advancement Committees, including the development of our long-term campus master plan.
• Poonam Puri, Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee, circulated the draft planning document 20/20 Vision for the Future – Developing the Outstanding Women of Tomorrow, Today. Brian Denega, Chair, emphasised that this document is the crux of the plan; it will be ratified by the Board in June and will be launched to all at the start of the new school year.
• The Principal and the Chairs of the Board Standing Committees highlighted information set out in the reports that had been circulated in advance of the meeting:
  • Martha reviewed the current status of admissions for the 2017/2018 school year. In addition, she reported that a search is underway to replace Peter Hill, who has resigned his position as Head of the Senior School.
  • Karen McKay, Chair of the Advancement Committee, provided an update on the Annual Giving Campaign, which is tracking well and is expected to achieve the campaign goal of $550,000.
  • David Bacon, Chair of the Finance Committee, reported that the Committee is meeting on May 31 to review the April 2017 Quarterly Report and to discuss insurance coverage and summer work projects.
  • Melissa Arruda, Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee, reported that the Committee is currently reviewing Board candidates for next year and beyond. A call for nominations was included in the most recent issue of enews. In addition, the Committee is sending all Board members a Principal Assessment Questionnaire and the SCS Board Self-Assessment Questionnaire to be completed and returned before the end of June.

St. Clement’s School
Board Meeting Highlights, April 12, 2017

Agenda – April 12, 2017

Highlights of the meeting include:

• Martha Perry, Principal, introduced Amy Paradine, the new Head of the Middle School.
• The School’s external consultant, Scott Ferguson, facilitated a generative conversation about the results of the School’s strategic planning process to-date. Lisa Watson, Executive Director of Advancement and member of the Strategic Plan Steering Committee, joined this part of the meeting. Board members were provided feedback obtained from Past Board members during their special strategic planning session held on Monday, April 10. The conversation centered on ensuring that the new plan provides our community with clarity regarding both the accomplishments of the past few years and the exciting developments of the next three years.
• The Principal and the Chairs of the Board Standing Committees highlighted information set out in the reports that had been circulated in advance of the meeting:
  • Martha reviewed the current status of admissions for the 2017/2018 school year.
  • Karen McKay, Chair of the Advancement Committee, provided an update on the Annual Giving Campaign, which is tracking well and is expected to achieve the campaign goal of $550,000. Campaign strengths include increased participation levels by staff and by both current and new parents. The Communications team has launched the spring edition of the Red Blazer and plans are underway for the Alumnae Reunion Weekend that runs from May 5 to May 7.
  • David Bacon, Chair of the Finance Committee, reviewed the financial results for the six months ended January 31, 2017 and the forecast results for the 2016/2017 fiscal year.
  • James Black, Chair of the Investment Sub-Committee, reviewed recommendations for allocating the School’s investment funds to the various investment management firms based on the revised Statement of Investment Policies and Objectives approved at the Board meeting in January.
  • Rob Chadwick, Chair of the Property Committee, reported on the ongoing work being done to develop a campus master plan. Upcoming meetings at both the Committee and Board levels will focus on priorities, costing and timing.
  • The Board reviewed and approved various revisions to the School’s governance documents These revisions are consistent with current ‘best practice’ researched by members of the School’s Nominating and Governance Committee under the leadership of Melissa Arruda.

St. Clement’s School
Board Meeting Highlights, February 15, 2017

Agenda – February 15, 2017

Highlights of the meeting include:

• Board members engaged in a generative discussion focused on the School’s long-range campus master plan and related strategic direction. Lisa Watson, Executive Director of Advancement, attended this part of the meeting.
• Poonam Puri, Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee, reported that the School’s consultant, Scott Ferguson, is preparing a report of the feedback received at the strategic planning sessions held with parents, staff, students and alumnae. Poonam noted that this report is being presented to the Board and Administration Team members at the Strategic Planning Retreat on March 4.
• The Principal and the Chairs of the Board Standing Committees highlighted information set out in the reports that had been circulated in advance of the meeting:
  • Martha Perry reported that the School is investigating various options for relocating the current Grade 4 classroom to a new location with windows in order to provide natural light to the students
  • Karen McKay, Chair of the Advancement Committee, reported that the Annual Giving campaign is progressing well and there are a number of planned giving initiatives in process.
  • David Bacon, Chair of the Finance Committee, discussed the meeting of the Investment Sub-committee at which representatives of the School’s investment management firms made presentations highlighting the investment performance through to December 31, 2016.

St. Clement’s School
Board Meeting Highlights, January 11, 2017

Agenda – January 11, 2017

Highlights of the meeting include:

• Brian Denega welcomed new Board member Julia Foster, who was unable to attend the Board meeting on November 16, 2016.
• The Principal and the Chairs of the Board Standing Committees highlighted the information set out in the reports that had been circulated in advance of the meeting:
  • Martha Perry reported that the School has hired a new Head of the Middle School, Amy Paradine, who will join the staff at the beginning of the third term
  • Karen McKay, Chair of the Advancement Committee, reported that the Annual Giving Campaign is progressing well and the Committee is optimistic that the fundraising goal of $550,000 will be reached.
  • David Bacon, Chair of the Finance Committee, reviewed the financial results for the three months ended October 31, 2016 and the forecast results for the 2016/17 fiscal year
  • Rob Chadwick, Chair of the Property Committee, reviewed the School’s ongoing property development activities.
  • Melissa Arruda, Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee, reported that the Committee is reviewing and, where appropriate, revising the School’s Governance documents. Melissa noted that the School is searching for a Board of Governors candidate with an educational background to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Liz Smythe.
• Following a special budget presentation by David Bacon, the Board approved the 2017/2018 tuition fee, acceptance fee and operating budget recommended by the Finance Committee.
• Following a special investment presentation by James Black, Chair of the Investment Sub-committee, the Board approved the revised Statement of Investment Policies and Objectives dated January 2017.
• Poonam Puri, Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee, reviewed the strategic planning process, noting that sessions with students and staff have taken place and an interactive workshop session with parents and alumnae is scheduled on January 19, 2017. The focus of all of these sessions is to obtain feedback regarding the distinctiveness, the mission and the values of the School. The feedback will be presented to members of the Board and the Administrative Team at the facilitated retreat scheduled on March 4, 2017.

St. Clement’s School
Board Meeting Highlights, November 16, 2016

Agenda – November 16, 2016

Highlights of the meeting include:

• Martha Perry introduced new members of staff.
• Brian Denega introduced Anne-Marie Kee, Executive Director of Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS), who reviewed the top ten trends in independent schools and the top three themes that CAIS has determined to be critical in shaping the future of education. Members of the School’s Administrative Team and Scott Ferguson, who is facilitating the new strategic plan discussions, attended the meeting to hear Anne-Marie’s remarks.
• Brian Denega, Chair, introduced and welcomed new Board members David Bacon, Treasurer, and Emma Sanders Finlayson ’99, President of the Alumnae Association. The 2016-2017 Board Committee Chairs were announced (Melissa Arruda, Governance and Nominating; Rob Chadwick, Property; David Bacon, Finance; Karen McKay, Advancement) and the primary focus of each of the committees for the year ahead was discussed. Brian provided each Governor with a copy of the newly revised booklet CAIS Governance Guide, which outlines effective governance practices for independent school boards.
• The Principal and the Chairs of the Board Standing Committees highlighted information set out in the reports that had been circulated in advance of the meeting:
  • Martha Perry reported that the School will work with consultant Nadia Bello to develop a Diversity Strategy for the School by the end of June 2017.
  • David Bacon, Chair of the Finance Committee, reported that the Finance Committee has reviewed Investment Sub-Committee proposals for revisions to the School’s investment policies and objectives. The revisions will be further reviewed by the Committee and the final proposal will be presented to the Board for approval in January. 2017. David also reviewed the forecast results for the 2016/2017 fiscal year.
  • Karen McKay, Chair of the Advancement Committee, reported that the 2016-2017 Annual Fund Campaign was launched at the end of October with a goal of $550,000.
  • In the absence of Rob Chadwick, Chair of the Property Committee, Martha reported that certain members met with representatives of CS&P Architects to discuss their preliminary plans to develop a campus master plan.
  • Melissa Arruda, Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee, reviewed the results of the recent Board self-assessment.

St. Clement’s School
Board Meeting Highlights, September 28, 2016

Agenda – September 28, 2016

Highlights of the meeting include:

• Martha Perry introduced new members of staff.
• Scott Davidson welcomed Kimberly Cudney, who replaces Christina Greenburg as President of the Parents’ Association.
• Brian Denega, Chair of the Finance Committee, reported on the financial results of the School for the 2016 fiscal year. The audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2016 were approved and Hogg Shain and Schneck were appointed auditors for the fiscal year ending July 31, 2017.
• Martha Perry made a special report of the following matters:
  • Martha reported on the 2015/2016 Strategic Plan accomplishments under the three primary goals of an inspired and balanced program, strong local and global connections, and an engaged and supportive community.
  • Martha reported that the principles developed during the St. Clement’s School innovation project undertaken during the previous school year have defined a strategic vision of appropriate and varied space and unique and flexible programs and supports for our students.
  • A new Diversity Task Force has been formed to create an SCS Diversity Strategy by June 2017.
  • Martha presented an overview of the 2016/2017 Administrative Team Goals that had been developed at their retreat held in August.
• The Principal and the Chairs of the Board Standing Committees highlighted information set out in the reports that had been circulated in advance of the meeting:
  • Martha noted that the vacant position of Head of the Middle School will be posted soon.
  • Karen McKay, Chair of the Advancement Committee, reported on the success of the 2015/2016 annual giving campaign, which exceeded the goal of $500,000. The new Annual Fund Chair, Paige Church, and her committee will be launching the new campaign early in October.
  • Rob Chadwick, Chair of the Property Committee, provided an update on the Committee’s primary areas of focus, being communications and property development. The Committee has met with the School’s legal advisor on property related matters and has established ongoing contact with City of Toronto officials and local neighbourhood association representatives. In addition, the School has engaged the services of CS&P Architects to complete a master plan feasibility study.
  • Melissa Arruda, Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee, reported that Shelly-Ann Scott, Elizabeth Smyth and Frances Wright will be coming off the Board at the Annual General Meeting on October 26 having completed their terms. Scott Davidson, Chair, noted that their service will be formally recognized then. Scott thanked them for their many contributions during their tenures.