the Bell - St. Martin's Episcopal School

This is my last message for The Bell
as Chairman of the Board of Trustees. In
some respects, it doesn’t seem possible
three years has gone by already. In other
respects, I can assure you I am ready to
“pass the baton” to the able hands of Rev.
Fred Devall ‘87, who will become St. Martin’s
25th Chairman on July 1st.
During the past three years, we have—
for really the first time—articulated a clear
educational philosophy for our school, built
Alan Brackett
upon our core values of faith, scholarship,
and service. We have created a sound, ambitious, but achievable
strategic plan, centered on core operating principles that guide
both decision making and the relationship of the school, faculty,
and administration, with its students, families, and alumni. We
have recommitted the school’s resources to the professional advancement
of our already outstanding faculty, and implemented
several new programs to benefit our students and better prepare
them for a balanced life.
We have completed the renovation of the Dan and Frances
White Chapel, which culminated with its consecration by Bishop
Jenkins just prior to his retirement. This spring, the renovation of
the Van Slate House will be completed, and our next Headmaster
will be a resident on campus, returning to a tradition lost over
twenty five years ago.
We have completed a new marketing program for the school,
restored our traditional shield, and adopted a new logo for the
school. We also re-oriented our campus to the center of learning,
on Green Acres Road. Going forward, we will embark on a new
Master Plan for our campus.
2
message from the
Chairman of the
Board of Trustees
Alan Brackett
The credit for this good work doesn’t rest with me. We have
an outstanding administrative team, faculty and Board of Trustees.
I want our community to know these are truly dedicated
professionals. I particularly want to thank the many women and
men with whom I have served on the Board of Trustees. Each has
brought a real passion for this institution to our work, and they all
share in the successes St. Martin’s has achieved. We have created
a great balance on the Board, with over half the Trustees being
current parents, and now three quarters being alumni of the
school. Few members of our community understand the amount
of work they do for the betterment of our school. They truly model
faith and service to St. Martin’s.
I am particularly grateful to Beth DePass ‘79, who has been
both a dear friend and mentor to me at St. Martin’s. We should
never forget her commitment to St. Martin’s. I cannot say enough
about Brian Bossier ‘78, my predecessor, who navigated St.
Martin’s both through the flood waters of Katrina and an unsettled
period of leadership for the school. As important, he has been a
close and trusted friend, on whom I have been able to depend
whenever I needed help.
I leave this office assured that it is in good hands with Fr.
Devall, who has been a moral compass for the Board since he
became the Rector of St. Martin’s Church. He is the embodiment
of the value of a St. Martin’s education, and I know that under his
leadership, St. Martin’s will continue to flourish.
Finally, I have to thank my wife, Linda, and my son, Austin,
for allowing me to serve St. Martin’s and taking so much time
away from them to serve our greater school community. It will
now be my pleasure to be a proud parent in the bleachers at
baseball and football games, cheering the Saints on to victory!