teacher compensation to the detriment of the schools. I understood that Fred and others
called upon a return to the Heads primary responsibility as the shepherd of the school's
educational vision. What I was attempting to indicate, perhaps ineloquently, is that the
structure of most boards is to maintain fiscal responsibility in the short term.
Conserving the vision is often the default position due to the extraordinary demands
these days on Boards and, therefore, the Heads.
Hoorah to the schools that can buck that trend and lead with vision.
But it is hard to see that is the norm when Head compensation outstrips teacher
compensation. While I, like most, do not want the Head's position, it is a position that
is a vocation, like mine. For most of us in independent schools ours is a vocation.
Differing compensation for different jobs is the nature of our society, but expanding
differentiation, while perhaps the norm in the corporate world and I posit not to
society's benefit, need not be so in our schools.
When I ask the question what makes for an effective Head of School and how best do we
support and encourage them, I do not look to compensation for that answer. I look to fill
my position the very best I can, to give honest advice to my superiors, guide my
subordinates and to keep updated in my areas of expertise. I look to optimize the funds I
have at my disposal and return what I don't need.
David Withrow
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