Strategic Planning Update...

The Academy's strategic planning initiative, Imagine Deerfield, continues to move forward. Following a survey of faculty, staff, parents and alumni, five task forces were developed by the Strategic Planning Committee, co-chaired by faculty member Tom Heise and trustee Rory Cowan. Each task force is comprised of Deerfield faculty, staff, and trustee liaisons., and is co-chaired by Academy faculty or staff.

Members of the task forces will study, discuss and make both philosophical and practical recommendations to the Strategic Planning Committee. After careful study of those recommendations, the Committee will present a final plan to the Board of Trustees for its review and approval. The task force titles and descriptions are:

1. The Shared Deerfield Experience: Community, Culture and Character: In recent years, in our desire to cultivate the distinctive talents of our students and support the individual pursuit of excellence, we have expanded the range of co-curricular options available to students. Have we created a broader, richer program at the expense of a shared, well-rounded educational experience for students? We will review Deerfield's cocurricular programs ... and consider what experiences all Deerfield students should have in common. We will consider ways in which we could be more intentional and effective in our cultivation of good character, creativity, and wellness in our students ... and will examine both the opportunities and challenges posed by information and communication technology and assess its impact on the shared Deerfield experience. Chairs: Chip Davis, Athletic Director/Mathematics Department; joined faculty in 1993 and Colleen Kyle, History Department; joined the faculty in 2002.

2. Academic Achievement and Accessibility: A fulfilling Deerfield education depends on our provision of appropriate educational challenges and support to all of the students we enroll. Committed to bringing talented students of good character from diverse backgrounds to the Academy, we will also explore various ways in which we can make Deerfield even more enriching and accessible to all of the students we hope to enroll. Chairs: Sheryl Cabral, Chair of the Mathematics Department; joined the faculty in 1989 and Mark Scandling, Chair of the English Department; joined the faculty in 1987.

3. The Cultivation of a Global Perspective and Environmental Stewardship: To further the global awareness of Deerfield students, we will evaluate our existing on-campus and off-campus efforts, seek greater coherence in this aspect of our program, and consider new possibilities. We will also explore ways to strengthen environmental education in the curricular and co-curricular life of the school ... and examine our institutional practices and policies to learn how we can improve our environmental stewardship. Chairs: Steve Taft, Language Department; joined the faculty in 1984 and Andy Harcourt, Science Department; joined the faculty in 1978.

4. Professional Life and Development: This task force will examine our recruitment, hiring and review policies to make certain that Deerfield's faculty and staff remain exemplary for their talent, skill and devotion. We will consider steps we can take to ensure that faculty and staff members are able to do their best work. We will also explore ways in which we can become more systematic, supportive and successful in our promotion of professional growth and development. Chairs: Karinne Heise, English Department; joined the faculty in 1988 and Joe Manory, CFO, came to Deerfield in 2007.

5. Infrastructure and Financial Priorities: Excellent facilities and sound finances are also essential to the achievement of Deerfield's educational mission. This committee will review our physical plant, technology, and finances and stay apprised of the ongoing work of the other task forces. We will study recommendations and initiatives as they are developed during the strategic planning process and assess their implications for the future infrastructure and financial needs of the Academy. Our work in this area will help ensure the successful implementation of Imagine Deerfield and contribute to the long-term financial health of the institution. Chairs: Ben Bakker, Chair of the Science Department; joined the faculty in 1997, Joe Manory, Jeff Galli, Physical Plant Project Manager, came to Deerfield in 2006.

For a complete list of strategic planning committee members, task force members and to follow the strategic planning process, please visit our website at DAnet.deerfield.edu/imagine.