Announcement of Appointment of President and Headmaster
Dear AIS Parents, Faculty, and Administration,
We recently celebrated the twentieth anniversary of AIS and it allowed us to reflect on the many accomplishments of the school, particularly those accomplishments under the leadership of our Headmaster, David Hawley. We are also focused on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. The most significant challenges are: the second phase of the Capital Campaign, the Strategic Plan, and the continuous improvement of the operations of the school.
To meet these challenges, the Board has approved a new position at AIS, President of the school. David Hawley will become President of AIS effective July 1. The position of Headmaster will be filled by Robert Brindley. This leadership structure is not unique among private schools, although the responsibilities of these two positions vary somewhat from school to school. The board has decided to follow the “university model” similar to the alignment of responsibilities of a President and Provost at a university.
The President at AIS will assume duties that are external to the school; specifically, relations with potential donors to our capital campaign, improving our visibility and relationships with major colleges and universities in this nation and around the world, relations with IBO and IB schools, and with the community at large. I know of no one more able to tell the AIS story than David Hawley. A significant focus for the President will also include long term strategic planning for AIS. There is much work to be done in this area including the potential of adding a Chinese language track in the primary school at some point, adding pre-school programs possibly, specifying the requirements for our science and technology program offering five years from now, as examples.
Robert Brindley will assume the role of Headmaster which is responsible for duties internal to the school. This includes staffing of teachers and administrators, curriculum, student life activities and general day to day operations of the school. Robert has demonstrated his ability to assume this role through his performance in managing both the upper and middle school programs. He has also been a key contributor to the advances that the school has made during his tenure.
To further clarify the roles of these two positions, consider a time line. If an issue relates to our strategic direction - what the school can become five to ten years from now - then it falls within the responsibility of David Hawley as President. If the issue is current or may be effective twelve months from now then it is within Robert Brindley’s area of responsibility. A healthy respect for this division of duties will serve David, Robert and the school well.
A replacement of the Head of Middle School will be selected. Robert Brindley will work over the summer to identify internal candidates who have demonstrated a readiness to assume this role. This represents a significant opportunity for some of our current exceptional faculty members. Outside candidates will be considered if an internal candidate cannot be identified. Robert will continue to oversee activities of the Middle School until a new Head is appointed.
Please join us, the Board of Trustees, in thanking both David and Robert for their significant contributions to date and wishing them well and supporting them with their new responsibilities going forward.
Sincerely,
Gerry Hull
Chair, Board of Trustees, Atlanta International School