Volume X, May 2016 Calendar of Upcoming Events 5/26- Important Audit and Tax Updates 6/7- SEPCHE and PAISBOA: Exploring Opportunities for Collaboration 6/28- Small Schools Symposium PAISBOA Announces Incoming Executive Director Dear PAISBOA Members, On behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Philadelphia Area Independent School Business Officers Association (PAISBOA), I am pleased to announce that Mary Agnes "Aggie" Malter, Director of Accreditation at Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS), has accepted appointment as our next executive director effective July 1, 2016, succeeding Emily Miller who has been at the helm for eight years. Aggie Malter resides in Devon, PA, and graduated from Widener University, Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Incoming Executive Director Aggie history and Spanish. She holds a master's degree in Education Malter from Penn State University and a Doctor of Education from Widener University. Prior to her work with PAIS, Aggie spent twenty-one years working in Independent Schools. These years were spread between The Agnes Irwin School, where she held various positions ranging from Director of Summer Session, teacher in the Computer Science Department, to Director of Information Services, and The Episcopal Academy, where she was Director of External Programs. She has worked with PAISBOA on the Blackboard Consortium, and for over twenty-five years, she has served on the Board of Directors of the Phi Sigma Fraternity and Foundation. Aggie has also given presentations for PAIS on Effective Communication and for NAIS on using Accreditation as a Transformative Process. The PAISBOA Board is thrilled to have found a candidate of Aggie's energy and knowledge of Independent Schools. The Search Committee (Mike Noonan, chair, Steve Feld, Mark Gibbon, Carolyn Hapeman and Mark Murray) worked since last fall, and pared down a wide-ranging list of candidates to four semi-finalist candidates. The semi-finalist candidate group was invited for interviews to the PAISBOA Radnor offices, which included interviews with the Search Committee, Andy Mozenter (PAISBOA Strategic Plan Consultant) and PAISBOA staff. Following that process it was evident to all that Aggie Malter would be an outstanding match for PAISBOA. After a complete review of her qualifications, the interview process (which included a 30-minute presentation by each candidate on an issue affecting independent schools), an analysis report to the Search Committee on her "Predictive Index" (by Springside Chestnut Hill Academy HR Director Liane Faermann), and a check on references, the Search Committee recommended to the PAISBOA Board that Aggie Malter be appointed next executive director. Upon meeting and interviewing the candidate, the board unanimously approved this recommendation on March 21, with the confidence that knowing that the continued development of the PAISBOA mission is in good hands with Aggie. In her initial letter to the Search Committee, Aggie said, "My countenance and performance will always reflect positively on the association, and my goal is to work congenially and effectively with all stakeholders, as well as with the larger business and educational community in an effort to further the mission and goals of PAISBOA." As she prepares to leave PAIS, she plans to share her strengths in her work at PAISBOA, which colleagues describe as "an optimistic, entrepreneurial leader, strategic thinker, problem-solver, organizer and excellent communicator." Please join me in welcoming Mary Agnes "Aggie" Malter to PAISBOA. In the coming months, I will be communicating more on the smooth transition from Emily Miller's exemplary leadership to the start of Aggie Malter's tenure. Sincerely, Hal Davidow Chair, PAISBOA Board of Trustees Health Benefit Trust Members Meet to Discuss Self-Funded Health Plan Proposal Bob Mueller, PAISBOA and John Manion, Armstrong, Doyle and Carroll The PAISBOA Health Benefit Trust Membership met in General Session on Wednesday, May 11 to review its Board of Trustees proposal for a Self-Funded health plan, effective November 2016. The meeting was extremely well attended by over 100 school representatives onsite and 60 more online. Martha Scache, the PAISBOA HBT Chair from Abington Friends School opened the meeting with a welcome and introduction of the sitting Trustees. HBT Trustee and Board Secretary Carol Lerner of The Philadelphia School HBT Chair Martha Scache and HBT Executive Director Bob Mueller presented three slates of nominees: for election to three year terms as new Trustees, Cindy Nichols of The Episcopal Academy, Alan Joffe of Perelman Jewish Day School, Elena Pike of AIM Academy, and Jayme Karolyi of The Shipley School; for re- election to three-year terms, Joan Barone of Waldron Mercy Academy and Carol Lerner of The Philadelphia School; and for election to two-year terms on the Executive Committee, Martha Scache as Chair, Joan Barone as Treasurer, and Carol Lerner as Secretary. Bob Mueller, Executive Director of the Trust, Ms. Lerner, and John Manion of Armstrong Doyle Carroll presented the Trustee's decision to convert from a Fully Insured to a Self-Funded medical plan. In summary, the Trustees proposed a three-year commitment to Self-Funding with a first year rate increase of 11.3% and a backup Plan B to remain Fully Insured for one year with a 14.1% rate increase. The Trustees are convinced that Self-Funding will produce improved delivery of health care to participants at more sustainable rates. The presenters fielded many questions and heard opinions from HBT members. Robust conversation was had for 75 minutes on the benefits and concerns about Self-Funding. Such notable PAISBOA HBT members as Tom Taft (Germantown Academy), Adam Wojtelwicz (Shipley School), Mark Gibbons (LaSalle College High School), Carolyn Hapeman (Westtown School) and Frank Aloise (SCH Academy) added thoughtful points to the dialogue. Great care was taken to hear all points of view and answer all questions submitted at or after the meeting. The institutional members were asked to complete a non-binding opinion poll on the Trustee proposal and also submit completed Participation Agreements as quickly as possible. The meeting was a culmination of more than a year's effort to collect data, obtain cost quotes, analyze results, and determine best paths forward. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Trust is positioned to continue to deliver strong benefit plans for its 19,000 participants. Retirement Planning Dinners Draw Significant Interest Emily Miller, PAISBOA Employees of PAISBOA schools were invited to attend two back-to-back Retirement Planning Dinners held on May 9 and 10 at Germantown and Episcopal Academies. Over 150 veteran faculty, staff and administrators heard from a panel of experts about the often misunderstood aspects of the following topics: Medicare Social Security Wills and Estates Retirement Funds Moderated by Mina Fader, CFO at Germantown From Left: Casimir Seweryn, TIAA, Grant Friends School and Chair of PAISBOA's Retirement Holdren, Allied Financial Consultants LLP., Bernice McFadden, Bachmeier, Gudis & Committee, the panelists stressed that making the Associates, and David Conver, Dischell, Bartle right decisions on these aspects of retirement is & Dooley. critical to long-term financial security. They pointed out how inter-related these decisions can be and that there are experts who are trained and credentialed who can help one through the decision making process. Emily Miller, Executive Director of PAISBOA, advised the audience that each person's situation is unique and rather than seeking advice from friends and neighbors, it is important to make an appointment to speak to the professionals. A packet of excellent information on these topics was compiled and distributed to the attendees as well as the contact information of the panelists. If you would like to have a packet - either for yourself or to keep in your office - contact Colleen Atwood [email protected]. If you would like to view the presenter's PowerPoint slides, visit the PAISBOA Library under "General Programs". First Meeting with SEPCHE Scheduled for June 7 Al Greenough, PAISBOA PAISBOA recently announced an initiative to explore possibilities for collaboration with members of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Consortium for Higher Education (SEPCHE) college network. SEPCHE Executive Director Beth Moy has assisted in organizing the first meeting between area Independent Schools and Colleges on June 7 at the PAISBOA offices. 32 PAISBOA schools located in close proximity to the 8 SEPCHE colleges and universities have been invited to explore collaborative opportunities between the two associations. SEPCHE member institutions are: Arcadia University, Cabrini College, Chestnut Hill College, Gwynedd Mercy University, Holy Family University, Immaculata University, Neumann University, and Rosemont College. The attending SEPCHE representatives include: 1. Denise Falconi, Director, Teacher Education, Rosemont College 2. Melissa Reed, Chair, Education Department, Immaculata University 3. Jeff Gingerich, Provost and VPAA, Cabrini College 4. Barbara Hanes, Chair, Education Department, Neumann University 5. Kevin Zook, Dean of Education, Holy Family University 6. Heather Pfleger, Dean of Education, Gwynedd Mercy University 7. Angela Tekely, Dean of Lifelong Learning, Immaculata University The partnership between PAISBOA and SEPCHE is based on the belief that collaboration contributes to academic excellence and long term financial sustainability. The