Designing and Implementing a Mission-Anchored Compensation System

Independent schools are in the ultimate people business, with up to 80% of operating budgets devoted to salaries and benefits for faculty and staff. Compensating the employees delivering your mission every day is critically important to the health and stability of your school and must be balanced with a financially sustainable system. The misalignment of your compensation system with your mission and the realities of the school's challenges and priorities may have a devastating effect on your school’s ability to attract and retain employees. It may also hinder meet your school’s ability to meet its strategic and financial goals, and to adapt in an unpredictable world.

In this workshop, NBOA subject-matter experts will review a variety of compensation models in schools and provide an overview of the challenges and rewards associated with specific systems. Case studies from several independent schools that have innovated their compensation model will illuminate possibilities. Participants will be provided with information related to the unique needs of schools and will be given guidance on the considerations each school should make when exploring, developing and implementing a new compensation system.

Recommended Audience: Heads of School, Business Officers, Human Resources Professionals, and Controllers

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will examine common compensation and benefits practices in schools.
• Participants will discover the essential factors that must be considered when developing a compensation system for their schools.
• Participants will learn about specific challenges and benefits associated with different compensation systems.
• Participants will learn best practices for compensation system implementation.
• Participants will begin to identify a process for developing and implementing a new compensation system at their schools.

Pricing

Members: $305.00
Nonmembers: $405.00

Credit Information

Instructors

Elizabeth Dabney

Senior Director, Research and Data Analysis

NBOA

Seattle, WA

As NBOA’s director, research and data analysis, Elizabeth Dabney leads the development, planning and management of industry research using data from the association’s Business Intelligence for Independent Schools (BIIS, pronounced “biz”) platform, in addition to other research activities as identified by the association’s strategic plan. Dabney’s research and analysis supports NBOA’s mission to inform NBOA members and other external stakeholders and encourage data-driven decision making throughout the independent school community. Dabney brings to NBOA more than 20 years of research experience. Previously, she was the director, research and policy analysis at the Data Quality Campaign, a nonprofit education policy and advocacy organization, and the nation’s leading voice on education data policy and use.

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Patrick Schuermann, Ed.D.

Educational Consultant

The Nashville Leadership Group

Nashville, TN

Patrick J. Schuermann is an assistant professor of the practice of educational leadership and public policy at Peabody College of Vanderbilt University. Patrick has authored numerous articles, commissioned reports and books on leadership. Successful School Leadership: Planning, Politics, Performance and Power is the anchor text in the Peabody Instructional Leadership Series. Leading Schools to Success: Constructing and Sustaining High-Performing Learning Cultures is used in schools, districts and graduate programs across the country. Most recently, Data Fluency is a practical text that seeks to help leaders empower their organizations with effective data communication.

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Amber Stockham, SPHR

Senior Director, Human Resources Programs

NBOA

Pittsfield, MA

With 20 years of human resources-related experience, Amber Stockham, SPHR, brings expertise in regulatory compliance, talent acquisition and management, organizational planning, and compensation and benefits design to her role as director, human resources programs at NBOA. Prior to joining NBOA in 2020, her career spanned a variety of industries, including social services, manufacturing and construction. She found a passion for education when she served as the director of human resources at Miss Hall’s School, an independent day/boarding school for girls in grades 9-12 in Massachusetts. In her current role, Stockham develops and delivers highly practical and engaging programs, products and services on topics ranging from difficult conversations and employee supervision to benefits administration. Stockham holds a master of business administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. 

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