Governance

Governance2023-03-10T11:07:31-05:00

What is the Board of Trustees?

The Board of Trustees is comprised of current and former parents, grandparents, alumni, and community leaders who volunteer their unique talents and experiences to ensure the Triangle Day School’s continued success. The Board supports the School’s mission, oversees its fiduciary responsibilities, and assists the Head of School in carrying out the long-term strategic plan.

2022-2023 Board Members

Tasha Seyler
Tasha SeylerBoard Chair

Current Parent ’25, ’29

Shayla Higginbotham
Shayla HigginbothamBoard Vice Chair

Current Parent ’25

Patrick Scheper
Patrick ScheperBoard Treasurer

Finance Committee Chair

Current Parent ’26, ’29

Kim Sue-Ling
Kim Sue-LingBoard Secretary

Strategic Planning Committee Chair

Current Parent ’29

Marc DiRienzo
Marc DiRienzo

Facilities Committee Chair

Current Parent ’28

Ali Paksima
Ali Paksima

Current Parent ’28, ’32

Alaina Pantoja
Alaina Pantoja

Development Committee Chair

Current Parent ’27, ’30

Sachin Patel
Sachin Patel

DEI Committee Chair

Current Parent ’27, ’28

Stuart Smith
Stuart Smith

Alumni Parent ’06, ’14, ’16

Tim Tinnesz
Tim Tinnesz

Community Leader

Julie Williams-Swiggett
Julie Williams-Swiggett

Current Parent ’29, ’26

Eris Worlds
Eris Worlds

Current Parent ’29
Alumni Parent ’21

Board FAQs

How long is a term for a Board member?2021-03-26T16:17:38-04:00

A Board member is elected to a first term of three years and may be asked to serve a second term of three years. After one year off, the Board member may be elected to serve an additional term.

What are the basic responsibilities of the Board?2021-03-26T16:17:38-04:00

The Board is primarily responsible for the strategic aspects of the School such as selecting and evaluating the Head of School, ensuring adequate financial resources including fundraising of various kinds, providing proper financial oversight, building a competent Board, ensuring ethical integrity, and enhancing the School’s public standing.

What areas of the School are NOT the responsibility of the Board?2021-03-26T16:17:38-04:00

The Head of School, rather than the Board, is primarily responsible for the operational aspects of the School such as selecting and evaluating the faculty, managing the day-to-day operation of the School, leading in the development of the School’s curriculum, acting as the School’s key liaison with parents, grandparents, alumni, Board members, and community leaders, and preparing the school’s annual budget including staffing needs and instructional resources and presenting it to the Board for its approval.

Is it appropriate for parents to approach Board members with their concerns about the school?2021-03-26T16:17:38-04:00

If parents have concerns about operational matters (e.g. faculty or staff members, the curriculum, the facility), then these should be discussed with the appropriate administrator. If, however, the concern is with the Head of the School, then this should be brought to the attention of a member of the Board’s Executive Committee.

How does the Board govern itself?2023-03-20T10:32:17-04:00

The Board governs itself according to its own TDS Board Bylaws.

How often does the Board meet?2021-03-26T16:17:38-04:00

The full Board meets on a monthly basis in August through December. In the new year, the Board meets every other month in February, April, and June. The Board may meet on or off campus, to receive and discuss reports from the Head of School and other administrators, Board Committees, outside consultants and students, when appropriate.

What standing committees are part of the Board?2022-06-30T14:25:07-04:00

The Board has six standing committees: Finance, Trusteeship, Development, Facilities, Executive, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

The Finance Committee is comprised of trustees and non-trustees. It meets regularly with the Head of School and the Business Officer and is responsible for overseeing the annual budget and financial affairs of the school.

The Trusteeship Committee is responsible for identifying, cultivating, and recommending individuals for future trustee nominations. New board members are selected based upon their positive commitment to the school along with the immediate and long term needs of the school.

Comprised of trustees and non-trustees, the Development Committee is responsible for Board-initiated institutional advancement and fundraising, including the annual fund, capital campaign, auction, endowment funds, and gifts.

The Facilities Committee is comprised of trustees and non-trustees. This committee along with the Head of School is responsible for reporting to the board on the overall condition, adequacy, and management of the facilities.

The Executive Committee is made up of the Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary. Its primary role is to evaluate the Head of School on an annual basis. Members of the Executive Committee for 2022-2023 are Tasha Seyler, Shayla Higginbotham, Patrick Scheper, and Kim Sue-Ling.

The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee was formed in 2016-17 in order to ascertain the climate of diversity and inclusion at the school and determine areas for improvement. The committee focuses on curriculum, recruitment/retention, community engagement, and assessment. Learn more about DEI at TDS here.

Does the Board have any other committees?2021-03-26T16:17:38-04:00

When the need arises the Board may create special committees such as the Strategic Planning Committee.

From time to time, the Board creates a Strategic Planning Committee in order to review its previous Strategic Plans and Mission Statement and update them to reflect a variety of factors such as changes in enrollment, the parent body, the financial health of the school, technological advances, the community, and the local economy. The current Strategic Plan was approved by the full Board in April, 2015.

How does someone get nominated for consideration to become a Board member?2022-06-30T14:23:28-04:00

To learn more about this process, or to recommend someone for the Board of Trustees, please contact a member of the Board’s Trusteeship Committee, or Tasha Seyler, Board Chair. Board members are nominated by the Trusteeship Committee and elected by the full Board. New Board members are selected based upon the immediate and long term needs of the School, and for their commitment to the School.

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