Page 9 - Priorities #24 2003-October

Letter from the Board of Trustees Chair
The 2002/2003 School Year was the 10th year of my association with the Priory, beginning when my daughter, Amanda, entered the first Sixth Grade class in the fall of 1993. And what a 10 years it has been! Cindy and I knew when we came that this school was on the move, but the progress has far outpaced our expectations.
From a student body of 250 we are now over 330. In 1993 we had about two applicants for each spot; now we have five. We have seen the faculty and staff grow both in size and ability. And we know that when we have to say good-bye to one of our valued colleagues, we can do so with confidence that we can attract and retain top quality individuals to continue the work.
This past year yielded some significant milestones. The completion of the Maas
Family Commons on-campus housing was an important triumph in fostering our on-campus community. In addition, it illustrated the good relationship that the school has established with the Town of Portola Valley. The Annual Fund and the Auction continued to prosper at the same time that our community was generously supporting the Golden Jubilee Capital Campaign. In the face of continued economic weakness we have been deeply gratified by the rate at which our donors have made pledges and made payments on those pledges. The Board
of Directors’ ratification of the Trustees’ recommendation to go to co-educational boarding is additional evidence of the growing strength and maturity of the school.
The year also marked the end of my two terms as a member of the school’s Board of Trustees. I am honored to have been in the company of Father Pius, Bob Ward, and Donna Wengert-Neff, who were in the same class and“graduated”with me. It has been a humbling experience, as
well as one of great satisfaction, to work with the individuals serving as trustees. They represent a healthy blend of parents, alumni, longtime friends, and outside individuals, all of whom share a deep commitment to the mission, values, and unique character of the Priory. They bring a wide variety of experiences in areas including finance, school administration
from middle school to college level, investment, fund raising, real estate, construction,
law; and this list goes on.
Wayne and Cindy Davison at the Golden Jubilee launch party. Wayne will continue his work as chair of the Golden Jubilee Campaign Leadership Team.
Cindy and I knew when
we came that this school was on the move, but the progress has far outpaced our expectations.
You can read about each of the trustees, and our five newest members, on the school’s Golden Jubilee Campaign Web site—www. woodsidepriory.com/campaign/. Click on“Leaders.”
As I step down as Chair after three years, I am delighted that Ray Rothrock has stepped up to carry the mission forward. Ray has served on the finance, investment and development committees, and is chair of our Golden Jubilee Campaign’s Performing Arts Center committee. His son, Nathaniel, is in Seventh Grade, and this year he is hosting
a foreign student, Lenka Vankova, at his and Meredith’s home. Lenka is spending her senior year at the Priory.
Thanks be to God, and may His peace be with you always.
Wayne Davison
Chair of Board of Trustees
Ray and Meredith Rothrock at the annual Priory Auction.
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