The Board met on Tuesday 19 April for its monthly meeting. Below are a few highlights from the meeting.

Presentation by ISD Seniors
The Board was pleased to welcome IB seniors Mitiasoa Razafy and Mohamed Camara, who shared with the Board their experience as students in the IB Diploma program at ISD. The seniors discussed their personal experience of the IB program with Board members, shared their college perspectives and provided insight into areas on which ISD could focus to make IB an even greater experience for students.

Five-year Financial Plan – 1st Reading
Director Alan Knobloch presented ISD’s draft five-year Financial Plan to the Board for its first reading. The Financial Plan spans 2017 to 2022. It aims, while maintaining modest tuition increases, to provide for a sound and attractive faculty and staff compensation plan, to allow funding of the school’s strategic plan and capital projects, and to retain conservative reserves.

Adoption of Harassment and Tuition Refund Policies
The Board adopted the following policies on second reading: proposed amendment to ISD Policy # 5306 on Tuition refunds and a new Harassment policy.

New school construction and renovation
The Board approved two new construction and renovation projects recommended by school administration and the Board’s Buildings & Grounds committee. 1/The construction of an enclosed, seated and air-conditioned eating area. This new area will be situated next to Shady Shack and provide additional eating space to all ISD students. 2/The covering of school sports surfaces (basketball courts, gym floor) with SportCourt modular flooring. This is a durable synthetic surface that reduces and absorbs shock and will increase student safety. Both projects should hopefully be completed by the end of August 2016 for the start of next academic year.

Campus Master Plan and Performing Arts Center
Following further review and discussion, the Board voted to approve the first two phases of a new Campus Master Plan for ISD. These first two phases of a potentially four-phase Campus Master Plan provide for the construction of a Performing Arts Center, a new three-story gymnasium and fitness center and a new six-lane swimming pool. Construction is planned to start in December 2016.

Wishing you a great weekend,
Vesna de la Borde, Chair, ISD Board of Trustees