Cal-ISBOA News

November 12, 2025

We thank all attendees for joining us for another successful and enlightening California Legal Symposium on November 5, 2025! We also thank our incredible cohosts and presenters at Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, who always deliver critical legal updates and insightful information in an accessible format geared directly at California Independent Schools.

You can check out the session topics that were offered at the 2025 California Legal Symposium here, and registrants can access session recordings until December 12 here. Some topics are perennial favorites while others were designed to speak directly to the most pressing needs for schools right now.

Setting a new record at 226 registrants, this was our most attended Symposium yet! We are delighted to continue to bring you this valued program, and pleased to report positive and useful feedback from attendees’ evaluations, including:

• “Great job! I enjoy this symposium every year. It could last 3 days with all of the content areas!”
  
  
• “I would love for this to be offered twice a year.”
  
  
• “Wage and hour issues can be an all-day session by itself! Schools have a hard time staying inside of a box. The creativity presents challenges when matched up against the legal requirements.”
  
  
• “I would love two symposiums - one that is like this and then another that is higher level topics.”
  
  
• “There is never enough time for Q&A sessions. Lots of good questions and answers. Left me wanting more.”

We hope you will join us next year for another wonderful Legal Symposium on November 12, 2026!

October 22, 2025

GoFundMe recently created 1.4 million donation pages for nonprofits all across the country on their own volition using publicly available information from the IRS and other sources.

Following backlash from the nonprofit community, GoFundMe last week reversed course and took several actions including removing logos they used without permission. In addition to the apology issued on LinkedIn, the NonProfit Times reported on some important nuances.

Cal-ISBOA recommends schools investigate their GoFundMe status to be sure their fundraising is not negatively impacted and claim their pages to assure any funds donated to the school do, in fact, flow to the school. Taking action may also prevent bad actors from fraudulently claiming a school's donation page. 

After claiming your school’s page, you can decide whether to use it, remove it (scroll down for instructions), or submit a takedown request. 

October 20, 2025

On October 9, the Cal-ISBOA staff gathered for some enriching professional development at the Associations West Capital Summit in Sacramento. Formerly California Society of Association Executives, Associations West is the association for association professionals in California and beyond. We heard from keynote speakers about strategies to navigate change through collaboration and connection, learned more about building high-impact boards and designing cultures that drive success, and picked up some exciting new ideas for event programs and formats. We are proud to continue pursuing our own professional development to better serve our members and the California independent school community!

October 6, 2025

Staff was pleased to be able to visit Presentation High School in San Jose while in town for the 2025 Board Retreat and Fall Meeting a few weeks ago. Human Resources Director Michelle Miller and HR Specialist Monica DePalmo treated our staff to a rich tour of Presentation High School's scenic campus. Serving young women, Presentation (or “Pres” as it is affectionately known) encourages students to follow their interests and try new extracurriculars like robotics. Students build skill and confidence by overcoming challenges in their extracurriculars, which ultimately supports their academic success as well. Their robust staff includes over 70 coaches who provide specialized training in 14 different sports as well as dance, which many students come to Pres specifically to study. Faculty and staff work in classrooms, offices, and large common spaces that are intentionally close together to support continuous collaboration. We were honored to hear directly from alumni about how their time at Pres created an inspired foundation for their forward journeys.

Thank you again to Michelle and Monica for their hospitality!

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September 29, 2025

Staff was pleased to be able to visit Hillbrook School in San Jose a couple weeks ago while in town for the 2025 Board Retreat and Fall Meeting. Chief Financial Officer Margaret Randazzo gave us an incredible tour of Hillbrook’s brand-new Upper Campus in downtown San Jose, as well as their original Lower Campus in Los Gatos, where the Hillbrook magic began almost 100 years ago. From the updated furnishings and original windows in their fully renovated historic buildings downtown, to the cozy Village of Friendly Relations cabins sprinkled across their Los Gatos campus, every detail is intentionally executed to support students wherever they are in their journey. Thanks again to Margaret for a wonderful tour!

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September 18, 2025

Last week, our Board of Directors gathered for the annual Cal-ISBOA Board Retreat and Fall Meeting at the beautiful Hotel Valencia Santana Row in San Jose. President Nicole Pennington and Executive Director Scarlett Vanyi planned a productive and fun retreat agenda, balancing critical conversations and decision-making with enriching teambuilding activities. Not only did our Board undertake the essential work of moving our ambitious 2025-2028 Strategic Plan into the implementation phase, but our talented Board Members all ESCAPED from The Escape Game's interactive rooms by working together. Being together for this retreat allowed our leadership team to develop a strong foundation for their collaboration throughout the year. We are looking forward to a wonderful year together serving the Cal-ISBOA membership!

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September 11, 2025

It is always a treat for Cal-ISBOA staff to visit our member schools in person! While in Los Angeles last month, Executive Director Scarlett Vanyi was graciously hosted by Chief Finance and Operating Officer Manuel Pardo and Chief Human Resources Officer Heather Kruse for an inspiring tour of Viewpoint School in Calabasas. Located in a beautiful canyon on Mulholland Drive, Viewpoint has a 43-acre campus that spans one whole mile from one end to the other. This single campus hosts four state-of-the-art schools serving PK through High School for a variety of academic and extracurricular activities. The warm camaraderie among the school team and the dedication to exceptional facilities was evident at every turn. Thank you again to Manuel and Heather for their hospitality!

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September 5, 2025

I hope this message finds you well and that the return to campus has been a smooth and uplifting transition as you welcome students, families, and colleagues into a new school year.

This time of year, I’m often asked, “Did you enjoy your summer break?” I always smile at the question, knowing that for those of us in Business, Operations, Facilities, and Human Resources, summer looks a little different. While many are wrapping up vacations, we’ve been deep in audits, campus improvements, summer programs, and the ever-important work of hiring and onboarding.

Back-to-school brings a special kind of reward: we finally get to see the “why” behind our efforts. The joy and energy that students bring back to campus is a powerful reminder of our purpose. Watching teachers ignite curiosity and creativity in their classrooms fills me with renewed appreciation. I hope it fills you with the same sense of pride and purpose.

As we all settle into the rhythm of the year, I encourage you to take a moment to walk your campus. Look around at the vibrant programs, bustling classrooms, and meaningful experiences that your work makes possible. While you're taking care of your school, remember to take care of yourself, too. What brings you joy? What would make your day just a bit easier? What goals—personal or professional—are you holding space for this year? If you haven’t had time to reflect, I encourage you to begin.

At Cal-ISBOA, the Board and staff are excited to continue serving our Independent School community this year. Whether it’s through regional meetups, our mentor program, Zoom groups, or informal connections, we hope you’ll find opportunities to engage, grow, and feel supported.

Thank you for the dedication, care, and heart you bring to your school, and thank you for being a valued part of the Cal-ISBOA community.

Wishing you a joyful and meaningful start to the school year,

Nicole Pennington
Cal-ISBOA Board President
Business and Development Officer, Los Encinos School

September 2, 2025

Visiting our unique member schools in person is essential to our continued learning about your needs as Cal-ISBOA members. Executive Director Scarlett Vanyi was graciously hosted by Rich Harper (Business Manager) for a tour of The Country School (TCS) in Los Angeles last month. Offering progressive education from PK to 8th grade, TCS puts holistic learning and an inclusive culture center stage, equipping their students to make a positive, lasting impact. Boldly departing from traditional paradigms, all TCS students practice daily meditation, and TCS has a No Homework Policy for PK through 4th grade, emphasizing the importance of play, exploration, and multisensory learning to early development.

Thanks again to Rich for sharing his school with us!

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August 25, 2025

Right: Scarlett Vanyi (Cal-ISBOA), left, with Ann Grimmett (Saint Mark's School).

When wildfire struck Los Angeles this past January, the impacts on our independent school community were devastating, especially for Saint Mark’s School. Earlier this month, Executive Director Scarlett Vanyi had the opportunity to visit Saint Mark’s School’s temporary campus, where CFO Ann Grimmett showed her around and shared how they have navigated this challenging time. Saint Mark’s School’s staff and faculty quickly sprung into action, and in just eight weeks, they partnered with another local school to erect a temporary campus with spaces to accommodate all of their classrooms, each program, and a play structure.

Saint Mark’s School demonstrated incredible leadership and resilience, ensuring students could return to their classes as soon as possible. We stand with all our schools in celebrating the tenacity of Saint Mark’s and other schools affected by wildfires and other disasters, and in honoring our shared commitment to the students of California!