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NOTE : This
registration is for participating in an individual
session as well as access to the session recording and materials. To register anyone
affiliated with your school for access to the whole
series (access to all sessions and recordings), please refer to the School Wide Registration page.
BUILDING BETTER BOARDS
Board Chairs and Heads In A Shifting Landscape:
Hot Topics, Tips & Traps
with Sara Goldsmith Schwartz, Founder & President of Schwartz Hannam PC
Wednesday, May 7, 2025 (note: updated date) While this session is primarily designed with Board Chairs and Heads in Mind, Other Trustees Are Welcome to Attend.
3:00-5:00 PM PT
4:00-6:00 PM MT
Session Description
In this session, experienced education and employment lawyer Sara Schwartz will discuss hot topics in the board chair -head of school relationship and identify strategies for fostering a productive, collaborative relationship between the board and the head of school. The conversation will include: discussion regarding head of school employment contracts and benchmarking; performance reviews; bylaws; anonymous and other complaints; and more. Case studies will be utilized to generate dialogue and highlight real world situations and practical solutions. Session Update: Due to the Rapidly Changing Legal Landscape, Sara Has Updated Her Session Topic
In this lively and
interactive session, Sara Schwartz will lead a timely discussion about best
practices for the rapidly evolving legal landscape. The session will
delve into the unique challenges that independent schools are facing in
response to Executive Orders and federal agency actions, and offer practical
advice. Sara will focus on strategies for helping schools navigate
increasing scrutiny, shifting regulatory expectations, and complex questions
around mission, values, and risk management.
Topics will include:
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Diversity,
Equity, and Inclusion: How to understand and respond to the legal risks related to
DEI policies, programs, and initiatives, with a focus on managing legal
risk while balancing core values. We’ll explore strategies for
navigating compliance, political pressures, and community expectations.
- Immigration
& International Travel: An update on federal enforcement trends affecting
student and employee immigration status, international student
recruitment, faculty hiring, and school-sponsored travel.
- Gender
Identity: Understanding
how the Trump administration’s executive orders have sought to revise
legal interpretations related to gender identity and establish enforcement
goals, and what these changes may mean for independent schools.
- Federal
Funding: A
comprehensive look at the implications of all the above for organizations
that accept federal funding, including how schools can help ensure that
accepting external resources is mission aligned.
- Federal
Funding & Tax-Exempt Status: An overview of the potential legal risks
associated with accepting federal financial assistance, and considerations
around institutional autonomy and long-term planning. We will
discuss efforts to regulate educational institutions through their
tax-exempt status.
While this session is primarily designed with Board Chairs and Heads in Mind, Other Trustees Are Welcome to Attend.
To view session details for the rest of the series, please visit our Building Better Boards page. Meet Our Facilitator
 Sara Goldsmith Schwartz, Founder & President, Schwartz Hannam PC
Sara Goldsmith Schwartz is the founder and president of Schwartz Hannum PC, a law firm which specializes in education, employment, and labor law. In the course of representing more than 250 educational institutions across the U.S., Schwartz has become a trusted advisor to heads of schools, presidents, board chairs, deans, business officers, and others as independent school leaders tackle and resolve matters of school governance, student and employee disciplinary matters, risk management, sexual abuse allegations, and the myriad compliance documents such as enrollment agreements, school bylaws, student/parent handbooks, and more. She is a cum laude graduate of Yale College and Harvard Law School.
Series Overview
In this series of workshops, attendees will explore the role of trustee, and provide a space for board members to learn from national thought leaders, experienced board chairs, heads of school and association leadership.
Offered throughout the year, each workshop has a theme for board improvement and actionable steps to move your school forward. Previously this workshop was recommended for those new to the role, but feedback was that it was universally valuable. All independent school board members are encouraged to attend.
Making the Most of Building Better Boards
Attendees can register for individual workshops or your board can register for full access for the series. All registrations include access to session recordings. If you have registered individually, the recording is for your own reference and should not be shared. If you register as a board, you are welcome to share the recording with anyone affiliated with your school.
Registration
Registration is now open! This registration is for participating in an individual session. All registrations to individual sessions include access to the session recording and resource materials. Each registrant will receive emails before and after the session with access and resource links for their personal use. Access is non-transferable and
links should not be shared. If you would like full access to sessions and recordings for your school and board, please consider registering for School Wide Registration.
Pricing
Single Workshop Registration (Includes access to workshop, recording, and session materials*.)
Member Schools | $55 per session
Non-Members | $85 per session
* Links to recordings and materials will remain active until August 29, 2025, so they may be used and reviewed throughout the school year and summer.
Cancellation
Substitutions for registrations may be made any time prior to the session at no extra charge. Written cancellations received by 24-hours before the start time of the session are eligible for a refund after a $20 cancellation fee. Any cancellations received after the 24-hour window will be ineligible for refunds.
Still have questions?Please feel free to reach out to any of us for the following: Thank you to our Session Sponsor!
Seneca Group is a premier real estate advisory and development management firm with professionals dedicated to serving K-12 independent schools. We provide strategic guidance in planning and developing academic and athletic facilities, administrative and community spaces, and sustainability initiatives. We help institutions create inspiring, functional, and future-ready environments.
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