Berkshire Country Day School

The general responsibility and authority for the operation and conduct of the school rests with the Board of Trustees. The Board deals primarily with policy and financial matters. It selects the Head of School and delegates to him/her the authority to deal with all operational matters concerning admissions, curriculum, faculty, students and administration.

The guidelines for the responsibility of the Governing Board follow those described in A Handbook for the Independent School Trustee published by the National Association of Independent Schools.

The Board meets the second Thursday of each month during the school year and, if necessary, during the summer. Standing committees of the Board meet as needed to conduct their business.

All members of the Board serve on committees. Persons who are not members of the Board may volunteer or be asked to serve on one of the following standing committees: Buildings and Grounds; Development; Marketing; Finance; and Strategic Planning.

Each year, the Committee on Trustees proposes new Board members. The Board- elects nominees. Each elected member serves a three-year term and is eligible for a second term.

The Board of Trustees shall be comprised of not more than 27 and not less than 14 persons who are qualified to govern Berkshire Country Day School by virtue of their commitment to independent education, their legal, financial, professional or educational expertise, or other abilities. The Board shall include one ex officio member — the Head of School; two members selected by the faculty; and seven to 20 additional members elected by the Board. From time to time, at the Head of School or the President's request, the Board may invite professional, administrative, or other personnel of the school to attend meetings when their expertise is needed. In addition, the President of the Parents' Association will report to the Board at least twice a year and have access to the Board when needed.

Claire Pollart, President

Sion Boney, Vice President

Kevin Sprague, Treasurer

Lynn Campana, Secretary

Paul Lindenmaier, Ex-Officio

Ronald Frohne

Theodore Glockner '82

Maureen Hennessey

Sarah Pitcher-Hoffman

David Hosokawa

Robin McGraw

Marianna Poutasse

Fran Ruthven

Laurie Schiff

Eleanore Velez

Maria Whalen

Gregory Whitehead

Eric Wilska

The charge of the Admission, Marketing, & Communications (AMC) Committee is to provide professional council to, and support and advocate at the Board level for the school’s internal admission and marketing communications efforts to promote the School’s mission, vision, and value, and to drive enrollment and retention.

The Building & Grounds Committee is responsible for ensuring that the school's buildings, grounds, and facilities support the school's mission in a cost-effective manner. Our priority is to promote a safe, efficient, and attractive environment for BCD.s constituents and programs.

The Committee on Trustees is charged with establishing criteria for membership on the Board, making an annual review of the Board's composition and needs, seeking, reviewing the qualifications of and nominating new members for the Board, as well as the orientation of new trustees, nomination of officers, and the annual evaluation of the Board.

The mission of the Development Committee is to promote a culture of philanthropy throughout the BCD community. Specific responsibilities include: 1) raising funds to offset current operating expenses in the form of annual gifts with an emphasis on increased participation from all constituency groups, and 2) overseeing all fundraising events within the school.

The Executive Committee, consisting of the President (who is chair of the Executive Committee), Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Head of School and two appointed Board members, is charged with the responsibility of appointing Chairs of Board Committees and making Committee appointments. This Committee shall assist the President in setting the agenda for Board meetings and all decisions of it shall be reported at the next meeting of the Board of Trustees.

The Finance Committee's primary mission is to ensure the financial health of BCD and to enable the school to achieve its goals and plans. The committee meets monthly and reviews cash flow, balance sheet, receivables, etc. The Finance Committee proposes to the full Board the annual school budget and helps to ensure the budget is met through spending controls and cost reductions when required. Additionally, the committee serves as BCD's Investment Committee, monitoring endowments and other investments.