‘Planning for a Lasting Future’
We can all feel the energy of the start of a new school year. Faculty are returning, orientation sessions are held, registration continues, and overall classroom and grounds preparation for the first days is bustling. There is a lot to do, and it is all very exciting.
Planning for the Future: During the past months the GHCDS Board of Trustees has been actively focused on future planning with an eye on immediate and long-term sustainability. The Planning Retreat of June 28 recognized the school’s financial challenges and identified strategies related to marketing and enrollment, establishing an aspirational and structured Annual Campaign, and identifying cost savings within the budget. A follow-up retreat is scheduled for September 6 when the plans for these goals will be presented and launched for the 2025-2026 year. It is a combination of intense and targeted marketing, raising significantly more funds, and truly reducing costs that will lead over a few years to a balanced budget and true long-term sustainability. We are working hard to ensure that these goals are met, and will be identifying means to involve all of our constituencies including faculty, staff, parents, students, and the community. We are determined to make it happen!
Head of School Search: The search for the permanent Head of School is well underway. During the month of September, the Search Committee will be conducting semi-finalist interviews and identifying finalist candidates to visit GHCDS. Dates currently scheduled for the finalists to visit are: October 8 & 9, October 14 & 15, and October 16 & 17. During those two-day visits each candidate will be scheduled to meet with faculty and staff, students, parents and the community, and will interview with the Board. Watch for open forums when you can listen to and meet these individuals and share your impressions. The Board of Trustees will meet later in October and early November to deliberate and decide whom to offer the position as the next GHCDS Head of School. All input will be reviewed prior to making this very critical decision. The search firm of Carney Sandoe and Associates has assured us that they have a very strong pool of candidates.
As with all organizations, we have our challenges which are real. But on behalf of the Board, we are actively facing these challenges with the intent of implementing successful long-term strategies. Overall, we have genuine pride in GHCDS, and recognizing there is work to be done, we are optimistic about the future. Wishing you a strong start to the new school year!
Sincerely,
Bradley Ebersole (GHCDS Board Chair)