In the 1971, the faculty at Proctor was suddenly empowered to define the school's structures, policies and even its programs. The sense of ownership was exhilarating, but the process was anything but easy. Year after year, end of year faculty meetings were agonizing marathons at which issues of huge consequence were debated at length. What should the dress code be? How should the block system work? We even invented Notices To the Advisor one June day! No such angst exists today:
Whatever frustrations came with the democratization of this school, the dividends were great. The faculty crafted policies that were organic to the community, consistent with values and visions shared by a large team of professionals. Perhaps the greatest benefit was the morale enjoyed by teachers who exercised real responsibility in the definition of their workplace.
End of year faculty meetings have mellowed over the years. It's as if we've settled on the basic program--the basic formula--that works for us, and now the task is to fine tune things; to brainstorm possible improvements without reinventing major policy. The evolution of technology always poses new challenges. We know that some kids waste time during study hall hours on-line. Should we (and can we) shut down social media from 8:00-10:00 PM on weeknights and Sunday? Input from student leaders is critical. Here, during a recess, Brooks Bicknell has a word with School Leader Dave Murphy:
There's a healthy tension in all high school education: To what extent do we deny freedoms? vs. To what extent do we risk granting responsibility and then hold students accountable? Schools that simply deny more freedoms deal with adolescents through disciplinary responses; school that choose the latter approach work through relationships. When the faculty hammered out Proctor's policies in the '70s and '80s, we tended to favor the latter.
We discussed this issue at some length, and decided to ponder a possible motion overnight. None came. Mike simply announced that truly inappropriate web use will not be tolerated at Proctor.
Chris Bartlett offered an admission report that featured one of several stellar new videos that capture Proctor's human approaches through student voices. He also shared much great news! Proctor is currently within seven enrollments of full capacity--352--for the 2009-10 school year. We have 67 ninth graders--the largest freshman class in history. Extremely low attrition this year was a factor, and the vibe picked up by visitors was compelling.
We have a nice tradition of awarding a congratulatory certificate to faculty as they reach milestone years--such as 10 and 20--in their tenure.
We didn't have much to vote about this year, but we took some straw polls to gauge support for some tweaks--such as a slightly shorter Senior Project.
There is a nice feeling on the faculty today--a sense that we're a part of something that has never been quite this good. But where did the tradition of the Lord Morton House party (a kind of tacky lawn party) originate?
