Events

The role of the board chair continues to grow in complexity and responsibility. While most boards rely on a single chair to guide governance and support the Head of School, some organizations are experimenting with co-chair leadership models that share leadership responsibilities and strengthen board capacity. In this session, T. Clark Durant of Noble Partners Consulting will explore the […]

A high-functioning board does more than fulfill its fiduciary responsibilities—it cultivates a culture where trustees feel energized, valued, and connected to one another and the school’s mission. In this session, we will explore the board chair’s role as a catalyst for engagement and morale. Participants will consider practical strategies for fostering a shared sense of […]

When polarizing social issues enter school life, board chairs are often left navigating difficult questions with no easy script: Should the school make a statement? What belongs to the Head of School, and what belongs to the Board? How can trustees deliberate faithfully without allowing personal opinion, faction formation, or public pressure to overtake governance? […]

Board chairs play a critical role in supporting and evaluating the Head of School—one that requires both thoughtful partnership and clear accountability. This session will explore the chair’s role in providing timely, constructive feedback throughout the year while leading a meaningful, goal-aligned annual evaluation process. The session will also address how to frame feedback conversations […]

In your new role as board chair, you and your head will set the tone for effective leadership in the boardroom and in school.  By fostering a culture of collaboration, and trust supported by open communication, clear, shared goals and expectations, and regular measurements of progress, the board chair and head of school can create […]

Welcome to ISCA! As we begin a new membership year, we invite you to join us for an introduction to ISCA’s programs, resources, and member services designed specifically to support independent school board chairs. During this session, we will review how to access ISCA resources and programs, help you customize your member experience, and provide […]

Most boards have now discussed AI as a matter of oversight. Far fewer have asked what these tools could do for the board’s own work. This session explores how AI can become a practical tool for strengthening the board’s own work. After a brief grounding in where AI is entering independent schools so Chairs can […]

Exceptional governance doesn't happen by chance—it begins with intentional planning. This webinar helps Board Chairs lead a process to design an annual work plan that aligns the work of the board and school leadership with shared strategic priorities and recurring governance responsibilities. We will discuss the development of board and committee goals, meeting agendas, board […]

Financial pressure rarely becomes a crisis overnight. Often, warning signs go unrecognized—or difficult conversations are postponed—until a school’s choices have narrowed. Drawing on one school’s experience navigating change, this webinar reframes financial stewardship as the board’s responsibility to preserve institutional agency: the time, information, alignment, and credible options needed to make mission-centered decisions. Participants will […]

ISCA member Marco Mena, board chair of Helios School, will share how he developed a trustee professional development plan that includes a 15 - 20 min segment at the beginning of each board meeting that engages board members in meaningful discussion.