The Andrews University Board of Trustees has delegated to the Operating Board of the Ruth Murdoch Elementary School the authority to make decisions and to formulate and recommend policies to the Andrews University Board of Trustees in all areas pertaining to the operation of the school in accordance with the Andrews University Working Policy and the K-8 educational codes of the Michigan and the Lake Union Conferences and the North American Division. All matters presented to the Andrews University Board of Trustees for action, shall require the prior approval of the Operating Board of the Ruth Murdoch Elementary School.
Glynis Bradfield, Director of Adult Degree Completion and Online Student Services, School of Distance Education, Andrews University, serves as a liaison between the Operating Board of the Ruth Murdoch Elementary School and the president of Andrews University in routine matters in her domain, and in matters relating to salaried staff and faculty, budget, and the Operating Board Organization and Working Policy that need action by the Andrews University Board of Trustees.
Relationship of the Operating Board to the Superintendent of Education for the Michigan Conference
The Operating Board looks to Mr. Jeremy Hall, the Superintendent of Education for the Michigan Conference, for advisory educational leadership and for guidance on the denominational governing codes as prescribed by the Michigan and Lake Union Conference K-12 Boards. Mr. Hall serves as a liaison between Ruth Murdoch Elementary School and the Michigan and Lake Union Conferences with respect to appropriate denominational educational matters and procedures for cooperation. He has the same educational advisory responsibilities and duties towards the Ruth Murdoch Elementary School as for other conference schools.
The Role of the Ruth Murdoch Elementary School Principal
Dr. Evelyn P. Savory, Ruth Murdoch Elementary School principal, is responsible to the Operating Board. She performs the administrative functions for the internal operation of the school program. She also serves as a link between the Operating Board and the vice president for academic administration for routine matters in his domain and for items pertaining to staff, faculty and budget. She confers regularly with the Board Chair regarding matters relating to the internal administration of the school.
There are nineteen members on the Operating Board. There are up to nine elected members drawn from the Pioneer Memorial Church membership. There are three appointed members that are appointed or reappointed annually in the spring by the president of Andrews University. Two members are appointed to possibly represent at large the parents of current students, and the other member is appointed to represent the Andrews University School of Education.
The elected and appointed members are members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church selected by the Pioneer Memorial Church board and by the president of Andrews University according to the criteria outlined in the Church Manual for board members.