Monday

Matters of Fact: Diversity, Education and Never Giving Up

Soledad O'Brien

Seeking to elevate the news above the noise, broadcast journalist Soledad O’Brien has pushed to be the best in her profession and a true citizen of the world. She is a strong advocate for listening to the next generation of leaders — the most diverse in history — and including all voices and backgrounds, especially underrepresented ones, in critical decision-making. Currently host of the weekly TV show “Matter of Fact,” O’Brien formerly anchored news programs on CNN and has served as a correspondent for Al Jezeera America and HBO. In her work, she models how leaders can engage in more inclusive dialogue to meet the challenges of a changing American landscape. Her own story and those she tells to national audiences demonstrate how determination coupled with mentoring, education and exposure to diverse viewpoints can lead to impressive outcomes.

Learning Objective: Participants will learn strategies for fostering inclusive dialogue with people from many different backgrounds.

Supporting Students and Employees: When Managing Mental Health Becomes Unmanageable

From anxiety and depression to complex mental health issues, independent school communities are increasingly balancing the mental health needs of both students and employees. The challenges that schools face while navigating the landscape of mental health care and accomodations can be vast, including how to communicate with the school community, preserving the dignity of the employee or student, and protecting the school from any legal liabilities.

In this deep dive session, join independent school experts and lawyers as they discuss what independent schools are legally required to do in response to mental health diagnoses, what policies schools should put into place, and how to balance community expectations and risks. Hear how to support your students and employees while protecting your school from legal risks. Discuss the challenging scenarios that schools have faced and where they might be able to draw the line in light of the limited resources they may have.

Learning Objective: Participants will learn how and when to address student and employee mental health issues, how to assess potential accommodations, as well as whether and how to convey related needs and actions to the school community. Participants will learn the legal risks and liabilities that their school may face when dealing with student and employee mental health.

Suzanne Bogdan, Regional Managing Partner and Chair, Education Practice Group, Fisher Phillips
Michael Dyson, Chief Financial Officer, Gladwyne Montessouri
Susan Guerette, Partner, Fisher Phillips
Carrie Kries, Head of School, Gladwyne Montessouri

Accounting Update With a Focus on Revenue Recognition Standards

An update focused on the upcoming accounting changes. These changes will include a new revenue recognition model for both contracts with customers and contributions received and made, lease accounting changes and other recently issued accounting pronouncements. Presenters will cover each of these areas and delve into the most important aspects that independent schools will need to know to be prepared for implementation. The interactive session will include relevant examples for participants.

Learning Objective: Participants will learn what has changed as a result of recently issued accounting pronouncements and how it may affect the way certain transactions are accounted for and the impact on financial reporting.

Michele DiVito, Senior Director, RSM US LLP
Jeri Fleming, Senior Manager, RSM US LLP

Affordability and the Competition Facing Independent Schools

The demand to provide access and affordability to our independent schools is greater than ever before. Academically focused institutions and personalized learning networks are just a couple of the competitors that have emerged to offer today’s independent school families cost-effective, innovative educational options. This session will include an overview of the financial trends and educational choices affecting independent schools as well as offer strategies to help leadership teams position their institutions in a market of rising competition.

Learning Objective: Participants will learn strategies to help better position their schools in a market of rising competition.

Christina Dotchin, Director of Business Development, The Enrollment Management Association

Communicating a Complex History: a Tabletop Exercise

Across the country, complex histories of sexual misconduct are threatening schools with present-day reputational firestorms. In navigating these situations, effective and timely communications are essential. Using an interactive tabletop exercise rooted in real events, Lukach, will demonstrate how such situations unfold, spotlighting five decision points that can best preserve the school's goodwill among the community it serves.

Learning Objective: Participants will learn the key decision points in addressing a school's history of sexual misconduct and understand the reputational impact of each possible path.

Christopher Lukach, President, AKCG-Public Relations Counselors

Enhancing Financial Sustainability and Affordability Through Advanced Financial Planning

Given the intensely competitive enrollment environment for independent schools, parents’ scrutiny of value propositions and increasing affordability pressures, it is vital for schools to systematically assess the efficiency and effectiveness of all expenditure areas as well as optimize non-tuition revenue — and do so in a manner that actively engages every major school constituency. Learn how St. John's Prep utilized comparative financial benchmarking and a disciplined, engaging financial planning process to identify $9 million in incremental savings and non-tuition revenue that helped increase its affordability and sustainability. Understand how to apply St. John Prep's learnings to your own school through facilitated exercises.

Learning Objective: Participants will learn how to utilize financial and operational benchmarking to identify affordability and sustainability improvement opportunities, as well as how to successfully engage the entire school leadership team in a financial re-engineering process.

Harry Bloom, Senior Vice President, Client Solutions, Measuring Success
Cynthia Fanikos, Assistant Head of School for Finance and Chief Financial Officer, St. John’s Preparatory School

Financial Transformation: One School's Journey to Financial Equilibrium

In 2014, Westover School found itself at a crossroads when faced with a $2 million operating deficit, declining enrollment, rising discount rate and more than $30 million in deferred maintenance. Under the leadership of a new head of school and senior administrative team, Westover undertook an ambitious plan to transform itself operationally, physically and financially. This session will explore the key decisions made to reshape the school's financial model, renovate a 100-year-old building and rethink the school’s approach to delivering its mission. This includes reframing institutional culture and identity, and identifying key candidates for transformational positions.

Learning Objective: Participants will learn how to communicate mission-critical initiatives and best practices to the board and broader school community, as well as best practices in communicating financial information to boards to enhance decision making. They will also learn to use the jobs-to-be-done framework in the admission process.

Julie Faulstich, Head of School, Westover School
Thomas Gorman, Chief Operating Officer, Westover School

International Program Risk Assessment: Growth or Implosion

Given the landscape of the international marketplace is ever changing, how schools adapt and keep up will determine whether international student programs, large or small, survive. The number of students traveling to the United States to study has slightly decreased in recent years. The stakes are high, the competition for full pay international students is fierce and only those nimble enough to manage this unique constituency in the correct, risk averse manner will likely maintain enrollment. Learn what some of the overarching risks are and how to avoid them. The most recent information and statistics from the Department of State and Department of Homeland Security will be shared.

Learning Objective: Participants will learn how to identify the particular risks associated with international student programs and what changes and possible challenges to sustaining enrollment in these programs are likely to arise.

Martin Kelly, President and Risk Assessment Consultant, Independent School Management
Jacqueline Yamada, Consultant, Independent School Management

Making the Tax Code Work with Gifts that Keep Giving

Did you know that your donors can give more to your school for less money? With fewer donors making larger gifts, understanding how your constituents can leverage the tax code and compound interest to maximize their donations is imperative to successful giving campaigns in 2020 and beyond. Learn about donor-advised funds, bunching and other donor-focused strategies.

Learning Objective: Learn how the finance office can partner with the advancement office to make giving stronger for your school.

Rick Darvis, CPA, CCPS, President, Rick Darvis Accounting
Nancy Greene, Vice President for Finance and Operations, Pine Crest School

It’s Not Me, It’s You: Termination Preparation, Process and Pitfalls

This session will provide attendees with risk management strategies and practical solutions for ending relationships with employees. Topics will include best practices for pre- and post-termination documentation, termination meetings, severance and release, and exit interviews, as well as considerations when terminating employees out on leave, handling COBRA and other challenges.

Learning objective: Participants will come away with a process to follow for preparing and processing terminations, as well as an understanding of what to consider and best practices in regard to legal considerations.

Diane Byrne, Director of Finance and Operations, Fay School
Brian Garrett, Partner, Schwartz Hannum PC
Dawn Lewis, Head of Human Resources, The Episcopal School of Dallas

Total Cost of Ownership

Total Cost of Ownership is the most advanced measurement of alternatives when making facilities reinvestment decisions. A school’s physical assets require capital to build, operating funds to maintain, and capital funds to replace worn out or obsolete components and to dispose of the asset. Utilizing case studies and other examples, this session will present how CFOs and other business leaders can implement necessary facility lifecycle planning strategies and discover financial resource options and alternatives to fund needed maintenance and improvements.

Learning Objective: Participants will learn about lifecycle management principles that guide decision-making about physical plant assets. They will gain insight into the magnitude and impact of ongoing costs of operating school facilities, as well as the importance of strategic planning for facility maintenance and renewal needs.

Kevin Folsom, Director of Campus Operations, Trinity Christian Academy
Dennis Palmer, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Building Solutions
Charles Procknow, Executive Vice President, Stifel Financial Services

Data Strategies To Grow

Data-driven planning for short- and long-term growth delivers a sustainable competitive advantage for the independent school. The challenge is determining what data to collect, how to most effectively and accurately collect it and how to use data for continuous improvement of organizational habits and decisions. This session will engage senior-level administrators in a self-evaluation of current data strategies and provide a framework to understand and assess the quality and use of data. Whether a school is just getting started, or has a well-developed data strategy but is struggling to prioritize which areas to focus on first, this workshop is designed to help schools work through these challenges and build stronger relationships.

Learning Objective: Participants will learn to accurately assess data quality and address strategic questions; identify methods of data collection and analysis; connect the dots between external and internal data sources; and increase commitment to data-driven planning and continuous improvement.

Scott Barron, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, School Growth
Tammy Barron, President and Senior Partner, School Growth

A Conversation About Evaluating Multiple Employer Plans

A multiple employer plan (MEP) allows two or more unrelated employers (associations, institutions or organizations that share common interests) to create a single retirement plan if certain ERISA requirements are met. Ideally, the arrangement can help employers achieve economies of scale through centralized support of administrative and fiduciary obligations. Join us for a discussion of key considerations of MEPs and learn about current trends, nuances and the latest regulatory updates.

Learning Objective: Attendees will learn about the structure, potential benefits and considerations of starting or joining a MEP. The session will provide a firm understanding of the statutory basis and current regulatory environment for MEPs. TIAA will also explain the value it brings to MEP sponsors and members.

Eva Lee, Senior Director, TIAA

Envisioning a Safe Future for Our Schools

This presentation will discuss the unique legal, insurance and practical considerations schools face when assessing the security of their facilities and campus, or when hiring security companies or armed and unarmed security guards. An experienced panel will discuss best practices relating to security assessments that will help schools manage threats and maintain a safe campus. The panel will provide practical advice and an overview of the various security considerations to enable schools to make decisions about campus safety.

Learning Objective: Participants will learn to identify policies and procedures that promote a safe learning environment. They will learn best practices for hiring security guards and will take away tips on maintaining the physical safety of school facilities. Participants will receive an insurance checklist related to monitoring potential safety issues.

Jane Davis, Chief Financial Officer, The Archer School for Girls
Heather DeBlanc, Partner, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore
Chris Joffe, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Joffe Emergency Services

Establishing a Student Investment Committee to Invest School Funds

A little over 10 years ago, the finance director and the director of entrepreneurship at University School established a student investment committee that invests "real" funds of the school. Over the 10-year period, the school has funded the committee $100,000, and now the portfolio is nearly $200,000. The students have established bylaws and an investment policy. We will share the portfolio they have created, returns and current market value. We will explain the process of how students are selected to the committee, function as a group and evaluate new and current stocks.

Learning Objective: Participants will learn the information necessary to establish a student investment committee at their school.

Greg Malkin, Director, Young Entrepreneur Institute, University School
William Willoughby, Student, University School
David Wright, Finance Director, University School

Facilities Management: a Journey to Strengthen Stewardship

Facilities at The Potomac School represent the school’s single largest asset. As such, school leaders have taken a multi-year journey to strengthen the stewardship of this asset from a human capital, financial and strategic perspective. Presenters will discuss various strategies utilized including review of the organizational structure and succession planning, use of outsourcing to leverage subject-area expertise, development of reserves for PPRRSM and new construction projects, and the strengthening of long-term planning.

Learning Objective: Participants will learn to develop strategies for maximizing the long-term value of the school’s physical plant and discuss opportunities to phase in improvements over time that support a broader vision.

Dyana Conroy, Chief Financial and Chief Operating Officer, The Potomac School
Marvin Muhat, Director of Facilities, The Budd Group

Hot Topics for Controllers

Independent schools share many common and some wildly different opportunities and challenges. This session is designed to provide an opportunity for individuals managing accounting, finance, tax and other controller/assistant CFO functions to join roundtable discussions with other professionals from similar types of schools. Participants will examine differences and commonalities of their individual roles and school communities, share experiences and learn from each other's successes and failures. Explore how other schools handle many of the challenges you face.

Learning Objective: Participants from similar types and sizes of schools will explore similarities and differences within the controller functions, engage in guided conversations about sharing experiences and make connections with controller professionals from similar types of schools.

Jennifer Hillen, CPA, CGMA, Vice President, Professional Development and Business Affairs, NBOA
Melisa Waters, Controller, The Bolles School

Hot Topics in Human Resources

Independent schools are not all the same, and human resources challenges and opportunities can vary wildly. This session is designed to provide an opportunity for individuals managing human resource functions to join roundtable discussions with other HR professionals from similar types of schools. Groups will examine differences and commonalities of individual roles and school communities. The discussions will allow for unscripted conversation, shared experiences and learning from each other’s successes and failures. Explore how other schools handle many of the same challenges you face.

Learning Objective: Participants will engage in unscripted conversations, learn from each other and make connections with human resources professionals from similar types of schools.

Sara Skinner, Director of Human Resources, Lakeside School
Amber Stockham, SPHR, Director, Human Resources Programs, NBOA

Institutional Strategy and Economics: Integrating Program, Population and Philanthropy

Large forces challenge the traditional economic model of independent schools. In this session, participants will investigate what actions can be taken in the next five years to ensure positive options for their institutions. Using an analytic framework and performance analytics on more than 800 schools, learn how to appraise market position, comparative advantage and financial performance; discover how to optimize market, educational and financial dynamics for near and long-term performance; and explore full-pay domestic enrollment as a keystone to program, population and philanthropy.

Learning Objective: Participants will learn what actions they can take at their independent schools to ensure positive future financial position and choice availability.

William Kummel, Principal, Rational Partners

Microaggression Is Liability by a Thousand Cuts

Microaggressions are a comment or action that subtly — and often unconsciously or unintentionally — expresses a prejudiced attitude toward a member of a marginalized group. Microaggressions can add up to insults, invalidation and exclusion. Liability for acts of discrimination and harassment can result. This session will help you define and identify microaggressions, consider how to respond to those who report the impact of microaggressions and strategies to address them in order to improve culture and avoid costly claims.

Learning Objective: Participants will learn how microaggressions and perceptions of microaggressions contribute to culture for employees and students, which in turn impacts potential liability. Participants will hear about and potentially contribute strategies to recognize, address and respond to reported experiences with microaggressions.

Karen Kalzer, Partner, Helsell Fetterman
Onik'a Gilliam-Cathcart, Of Counsel, Helsell Fetterman

What Got You Here Won't Get You There

How did one school, when faced with the loss of a notable sponsorship revenue stream, take an introspective look at its remaining revenues and expenses to continue operations? By focusing on the true cost of an empty seat and cohort size, the school was able to stabilize and then grow net tuition revenue (NTR) and match faculty FTEs to current and planned student enrollment. Additionally, successful investment in the area of fundraising allowed for diversification in revenue sources.

Learning Objective: Participants will learn how to manage fluctuating revenue sources by using financial aid as a tool for filling empty seats with mission-appropriate students.

Laura Hartog, Director of Admissions, St. John’s Preparatory School
Sherry Krebsbach, Executive Director of Finance and Facilities, St. John’s Preparatory School

Mergers and Acquisitions: Governance, Legal, Financial and Tax Considerations for Independent Schools

Conversations around school mergers have shifted from reactive to proactive — no longer about failure or desperation but rather about thriving and differentiating. Schools exploring any sort of restructure, including a merger or collaboration of some sort, often find these discussions overwhelming, given that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all guide for proven success across schools with varying needs and opportunities. As such, NBOA secured a brain trust of industry experts from LearnCollab, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP and Venable LLP to publish a white paper in the fall of 2019 detailing the governance, legal, financial and tax considerations for independent schools considering a merger, acquisition or joint venture. NBOA’s president and CEO Jeff Shields will facilitate a discussion among representatives from each firm to address this shifting ground in our industry.

Learning Objective: Participants will learn the key considerations and compliance requirements that school leaders need to know in order to dutifully explore merger, acquisition and joint venture opportunities.

Jeff Shields, FASAE, CAE, President and CEO, National Business Officers Association
Chad Tew, Founding Principal and Disruption Navigator, Tew & Associates
Sarah Reichling, CPA, Principal, Non-Profit, CliftonLarsonAllen LLP
Caryn Pass, Partner, Venable LLP

Aligning Your Diversity Goals and Hiring Practices

Aligning diversity goals and hiring practices is a challenge for most schools. Research shows that best practices for hiring employees should follow five key phases: articulating vision and deep goals; widening and deepening the candidate pool; focusing on outreach and advertising; considering, interviewing and recruiting; welcoming and retaining employees. However, the majority of schools begin their hiring with phase three and end it halfway through phase five. In this session participants will receive pragmatic advice on how to demonstrate their school’s commitment to diversity in hiring, mitigating bias and thinking outside the box for recruiting candidates by following through with all five phases of the process.

Learning Objective: Participants will learn the five-phase hiring plan, receive a detailed 40+ page workbook with specific plans to be implemented immediately and a digital library of resources to support the process at school.

Jen Cort, Founder, Jen Cort Educational Consulting

A New Paradigm for Combining Financing and Fundraising

Most often, schools have separate financing and fundraising departments, which rarely interact on projects. Benefactors often have less cash to give than resources to invest, so schools aren't fully accessing the funds that donors may want to use in support of favored charities. This session will help school leaders understand the benefits of debt management by incorporating innovative fundraising and planned giving tools. Participants will also learn how fundraising flourishes when schools can offer benefactors new and meaningful ways to give via investment as well as writing a check. Case studies will show how priority projects are built using available debt capacity and the often untapped power of current and future benefactor participation.

Learning Objective: Participants will learn new fundraising and planned giving tools to enhance and expand their priority project financing capabilities so they never need to say no to an important opportunity.

Walt Coughlin, Executive Vice President, Coughlin & Co.
Michael Schierl, President, Julius Capital

Build Teams that Maximize Productivity, Spark Innovation and Create Joy

Where do the best ideas come from? How do you create a culture in which everyone feels empowered to innovate? Get answers to these questions and an overview of seven actionable strategies that, when consistently applied, become a tour-de-force for building highly productive administrative teams that find joy in their work, uncover hidden value and come up with innovative ideas that advance the organization.

Learning Objective: Participants will learn tips for identifying growth-oriented candidates in the hiring process, how different technologies can be leveraged to promote innovation, and how to accelerate the organizational acculturation process through immersive on-boarding. Participants will learn effective strategies for creating professional growth pathways that keep employees happy and motivated, while imbuing a sense of purpose.

Tim Schwartz, Director of Innovation, Whitby School

Crafting Capital Projects to Embrace Change

As Foxcroft School embarks on a multi-phase project to expand and modernize its academic, arts and STEM facilities, it does so with a mindset of flexibility and adaptability. Foxcroft honors its founder’s charge to “Keep up with the times,” building upon its successful heritage while simultaneously preparing girls to learn, grow and thrive in the digital age and global economy. This session explores new and innovative ways to approach multi-phase capital projects. Acknowledging that fundraising can be fickle and unpredictable, this project provides maximum agility and flexibility to pivot and adapt as pedagogy and economics change.

Learning Objective: Participants will learn how to craft a building project, including phasing construction work and fundraising to maximize flexibility and align capital work with school resources. Participants will also learn how to reimagine learning spaces inside-out to maximize outcomes and minimize expenses while meeting current and future needs.

Deborah Anderson, Chief Operating Officer, The Foxcroft School
Peter Winebrenner, Principal, Hord Coplan Macht Architects

Dissect Net Tuition Revenue — then Rebuild for the Future

Dissecting the three components of net tuition revenue — enrollment, price and yield (cents-on-the-dollar after aid) — can be a valuable way to understand your school's financial trajectory and its competitive position. It is also a powerful foundation for meaningful conversation with your board and other constituents. Use Excel tools and models to drive robust financial modelling and critical strategic insights that will help you investigate key issues such as aligning financial aid delivery with your school’s mission and pursuing sustainable NTR strategies.

Learning Objective: Participants will learn about the drivers of the school's net tuition revenue, how they interact with resource (i.e., expense) needs, and how to use concrete tools to engage in a strategic, collaborative effort to improve the school's financial trajectory.

Mark Vosskamp, Chief Financial Officer, Girls Preparatory School

How ERM Is Changing the Game at The Pingry School

The Pingry School is in year three of enterprise risk management implementation, which has changed the way people at the school approach risk. ERM has been applied to decision-making at all levels, from fighting back against local sports clubs to insourcing a segment of the school’s student transportation model. This session will be a case study of the planning, implementation process and outcomes of ERM at the Pingry School. Come learn why the Pingry School was recently highlighted by the Educational Advisory Board as a leader in implementing ERM at schools.

Learning Objective: Participants will learn how to review the key components of a multi-year ERM implementation plan and gain knowledge through examples and advice from coaches.

David Fahey, Assistant Director of Operations and Strategic Initiatives, The Pingry School
Dorothy Gjerdrum, Senior Managing Director, ERM, Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance & Risk Management Company
Olaf Weckesser, Chief Financial and Operating Officer, The Pingry School

Independent Schools’ Top Ten Pay Practice Mistakes

Today's wage and hour laws are a minefield for the unwary business officer. We will address the most common mistakes that independent schools make in paying workers, ranging from inappropriately classifying employees as exempt, improperly utilizing independent contractors and interns, and committing pay equity errors with faculty. In a workshop format, this session will use examples drawn from a number of real-life scenarios and guidance literature from state and federal enforcement authorities. Attendees will leave this session better equipped to manage wage and hour compliance concerns.

Learning Objective: Participants will learn how to discover and correct lack of compliance with federal and state wage and hour laws.

Charla Stevens, Attorney, McLane Middleton
Susan Schorr, Attorney, McLane Middleton

Preventing Future Claims of Student Sexual Abuse

Reports of sexual misconduct that targets students at independent schools is nothing new; however, the external environment has shifted dramatically and raises the stakes for schools trying to manage this risk. A panel of experts will share insights from independent school claims studies to set the stage for the next steps. The session will review baseline risk management practices required to get your “protecting children” program off the ground and provide guidance on developing advanced risk management practices.

Learning Objective: Participants will learn what steps to take to protect students from educator sexual abuse, baseline risk management practices every school should establish and practical insights that have successfully improved a “protecting children” risk management program.

Michael Blacher, Partner, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore
Darrow Milgrim, National Director, Independent School Practice, A.J. Gallagher Insurance & Risk Management Company
Constance Neary, Vice President for Risk Management, United Educators
Tripp Thomas, Regional Director, Independent School Practice, Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services

Strategic Approaches to Capital Planning and Debt Management

Tax-exempt financing can be a powerful tool to help meet financial objectives in implementing strategic initiatives. By linking both sides of the balance sheet in a long-term capital planning process, debt can increase asset efficiency and drive strategic objectives. Thoughtful strategic planning can optimize liquidity and investment efficiency, which in turn add budgetary cushion and drive net asset growth. Transaction execution is the crucial final step in a long and thoughtful capital planning process. These processes can greatly increase institutional wealth, demarcating the difference between moderately and highly successful institutions.

Learning Objective: Participants will learn best practices for establishing and implementing long-term strategic plans, which will guide project prioritization, capital planning and a debt portfolio approach to financing projects. The ultimate financial objective of all institutions is to build net assets in an effort to support its mission.

Rich Bernero, Principal, Five Mile River Group
Justin Berry, Associate, Prager & Co., LLC
Adam Prager, Director, Prager & Co., LLC