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State College Friends School
1900 University Drive State College, PA 16801 814-237-8386

Our School's Board of Trustees

    As stated in Article II of the Bylaws, Friends School is governed by a Board of Trustees. The board's major responsibilities include supervision of the head of school, policy making, financial oversight, strategic planning, and institutional advancement. The board has a fiduciary responsibility to uphold the mission of Friends School in service to today's children and to ensure a vibrant Friends School for future generations.


Current work:

  • Actively support the new head of school
  • Review school's philosophy statement and lead the process of writing a mission statement
  • Strengthen and support internal and external marketing
  • Begin strategic planning

Membership:
     The board consists of thirteen trustees, the majority of whom are members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers); they are appointed by State College Friends Meeting in consultation with the board's Committee on Trustees. The other trustees are parents or individuals from the community who have an interest in Friends education.

Terms:
     Each board member serves a term of three years. Members may serve no more than two consecutive terms but may be reappointed after a one year absence.

Currently the board includes the following trustees:

Bruce Knox (clerk)
Beth Giles (recorder)

Mary Lou Bennet

Mary Boutselis

Polly Dunn
Mardi Frye

Joanne Green

Ralph Oliva

Campbell Plowden

Beth Resko

Mardy Shaw
Vernis Welmon (adjunct member)

For short descriptions of the skills each trustee brings to the board, click a name or go to Board Members Page.
Representing the school at board meetings:

Jody Althouse, Head of School

Director of Development

 Lisa Gamble, Faculty Representative
Dan Hendey, Business Manager
Meetings:
     Regular board meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month, except in July when the board usually does not meet. Meetings are held in the manner of Friends, using silence to settle for business and consensus to decide matters.

Committee Assignments:
     Upon joining the board, each member is asked to serve on one of the following standing committees.

Standing Board Committees and 2007/08 Membership
  • Executive Committee
    Jody Althouse, Polly Dunn, Beth Giles, Joanne Green, Bruce Knox (clerk), Meg Moose, Campbell Plowden
  • Committee on Trustees
    Polly Dunn, Joanne Green (clerk), Bruce Knox, Ralph Oliva, Beth Resko
  • Development Committee
    Jody Althouse, Beth Giles (clerk), Heather Jordan
  • Finance Committee
    Jody Althouse, Dan Hendey, Bruce Knox, Judy Minor, Meg Moose (clerk)
  • Financial Aid
    Jody Althouse, Dan Hendey, Mary Ziegler (clerk), anonymous Friend

     In addition, ad hoc committees are formed as needed and may include individuals from the community with interest or expertise in the work of that committee. At present, there is an ad hoc Marketing and Enrollment Committee, a Building and Grounds Task Group, and the Quaker Life Committee.

Questions?
If you have questions or concerns, please contact one of the board's co-clerks:
Bruce Knox (bknox4@verizon.net) or Joanne Green (jbg3@psu.edu).

"Do I treat adults and children alike with respect and without condescension?"
From the Queries on Care for One Another
Faith and Practice