Role: The Building and Grounds Committee ensures Orchard’s facilities, grounds, food services, and technology support Orchard's progressive mission and experiential educational program in a safe and secure environment. The Committee collaborates with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and the appropriate faculty and staff to support strategic planning and implementation in these areas.
About
Governance
OUR LEADERSHIP
THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS & THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
2024-25
The Orchard School, an independent school incorporated in 1922, is governed by a Board of Governors and a Board of Trustees. Both Boards work in partnership with the Head of School to ensure that Orchard lives its mission to develop and educate the whole child.
THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS & THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
2024-25
The Orchard School, an independent school incorporated in 1922, is governed by a Board of Governors and a Board of Trustees. Both Boards work in partnership with the Head of School to ensure that Orchard lives its mission to develop and educate the whole child.
The Board of Governors is comprised of past parents, past Trustees, alumni/ae and other members of the Indianapolis community. Members elected after 1999 serve three (3) three-year terms. Honorary non-voting members can be named to recognize extraordinary service to the Orchard community. The work of the Governors focuses on preserving the school’s mission and philosophy, managing the endowment. and supporting Orchard through philanthropy. The Board of Governors meets quarterly.
The Board of Trustees is comprised of current and past parents, alumni/ae and other members of the community. Members elected after 2017 serve three (3) two-year terms; members elected prior to 2016, serve two (2) three-year terms. The work of the Trustees focuses on the general operation of the school, establishing and monitoring policies of the school, and developing long-range and strategic plans for Orchard in partnership with the Head of School. The Board of Trustees meets monthly throughout the school year.
The Governors and the Trustees convene jointly once a year. Both Boards share responsibility for the appointment and evaluation of the Head of School. All other Orchard employees are the purview of the Head of School.
The Head of School is responsible for executing all by-laws and policies established by the Boards. The Head of School oversees day to day operations of the school, including the appointment and evaluation of faculty and staff.
List of 2 frequently asked questions.
Committee Structure:
List of 9 items.
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Alumni Heritage Association
Role: The Alumni Heritage Associations supports the school's mission, coordinates and facilitates activities for alumni and friends of the school and serves as a resource and support for the students, faculty and administration.2024-2025 President: Max Eiteljorg '05
Alumni Board Representative: Max Eiteljorg '05Staff Liaison: Director of Development, Sarah Edwards -
Building and Grounds Committee
2024-2025 Chair: Stacey Summit-Mann, ChairStaff Liaisons: CFO Valerie Hunt
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Development Committee
Role: The Development Committee supports and provides strategic counsel to the Development Team regarding all areas of fundraising, especially the execution of the Annual Giving campaign, and the Capital Campaign.2024-2025 Chair: Sallie Jo MitzellStaff Liaison: Director of Development, Sarah Edwards -
Diversity Committee
Role: The Diversity Committee works actively with the Head of School, DEI Coordinator, EC/ES and MS Directors, faculty, staff, and parents to evaluate the ongoing presence of and commitment to diversity at Orchard. Special attention is focused on monitoring and supporting the key tenets of the Orchard Strategic Plan that relate to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.2024-2025 Co-Chairs: Lesley Akosa and Julie WingateStaff Liaison: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator Marcus Hatcher -
Enrollment Management Committee
Role: The Enrollment Management Committee supports and provides strategic counsel for recruitment and retention of students to Orchard, ongoing cultivation of current families, and outreach on behalf of the school in the larger community in order to ensure that the school population best fits the mission and aims of the school.2024-2025 Chair: Shawn OdleStaff Liaison: Chief Advancement Officer, Rochelle Reeves -
Finance Committee
Role: The Finance Committee works with the Head of School and the Chief Financial Officer to oversee the financial affairs of Orchard, and review and make recommendations to the respective Boards about the financial affairs and policies of Orchard.2024-2025 Governor Co-Chair: Shiv O’Neill2024-2025 Trustee Co-Chairs: Eric ChristopherStaff Liaison: CFO, Valerie Hunt -
Governance Committee
Role: The Governance Committee reviews and updates the by-laws as necessary. The committee also reviews the policies and procedures of the Board of Trustees.2024-2025 Chair: Phil Genetos -
Joint Committee on Compensation and Evaluation
Role: The Evaluation and Compensation Committee is comprised of representatives of both Boards including the leaders of both Boards. The committee manages and executes, in cooperation with both Boards and the Head of School, the goal-setting, evaluation, review of the Head, and sets the compensation for the Head of School.
2024-2025, Chair
Philip Genetos, President, Board of Governors -
Orchard Parents' Association
Role: The Orchard Parents' Association supports The Orchard School mission, programs and activities, and provides a network for parental involvement and communication.
2024-2025 President and Representative to the Board of Trustees: Lisa Hancock
Staff Liaison: Director of Development, Sarah Edwards
Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy as to Students: The Orchard School values diversity and seeks talented students. Orchard admits students of any race, color, national origin and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. Orchard does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or age in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, and athletic and other school-administered programs.