Today's page provides some insight into our faculty processes, illuminated with previously unused photographs that have nothing to do with the subject.

A former Proctor teacher--now at another prep school--told me, "At my new school, faculty meetings are opportunities for the administration to tell us what they've decided." His point was that Proctor enjoys a unique management style.

Thirty-five years ago, faculty meetings at Proctor became highly democratic events. The most recent example was Thursday, the 15th, when we invested four hours in occasionally passionate discussion of topics ranging from student mailboxes to structured study hall.

Mike introduced fundamental concepts that ground his strategic vision for the school, prompting comments and observations that reflect the diversity of the faculty population. How has the student population changed over the years and decades?

Another topic: computer use during study hall.... Should we deprive students of computer access for an hour, so that they work with books, notebooks and pens?

And how about students accessing their mailboxes by infiltrating the Faculty Room (with permission)? On some topics, many are opinionated; on others, only a few.

And Project period.... Should groups be designed to bring diverse populations together, or are thematic projects our preference, with seniority favoring same age clusters?

Does Structured Study Hall really work, or should we separate those few who most obviously need structure? Why are the numbers studying in the library growing so?

As stated earlier, some opinions are offered with real passion. Typically, the moment comes when we agree on a strategy for advancing the issue, we pass bowls of licorice and M&Ms, and we move on.

It should come as no surprise that opininons regarding the entire process differ greatly. Some are certain that the honesty and emotion are testimony to the community's integrity; a few just shake their heads at the amount of time we talk, and talk!

In fact, the benefits of our process are many. Momentum is built and recognized, catharsis (if not consensus) is achieved, and individuals go forth knowing that they have been heard.

Differences are managed in an open and civilized manner!