Can't Have It Both Ways

Private, independent schools impale themselves on the horns of a dilemma when they invite parents and alumni to bond with the school and form a lifelong relationship (meaning, become lifelong donors), while at the same time trying to keep them at a distance from engagement over operational issues. We have heard many a head of school bemoan a "stockholder" attitude in the parent community, and the sense of entitlement to have their way this suggests.The dilemma is that the sort of deeper, emotional connection that lifelong affiliation brings usuals comes with a concomitant sense of at least partial ownership that makes people feel entitled to more than just having their say. Schools cannot have it both ways. Once parents and alumni feel connected to the school, heads and boards simply must find a way to engage with them in appropriate and meaningful ways.