February 2026 Board Meeting Update

The Principia Board of Trustees received a warm welcome to the School campus for our winter meeting, February 12–14.  

The vibrancy of activity at every level and department was evident, as was the dedication of the administrators and staff from both campuses who gave presentations to the Board. The Trustees heard reports and updates from administrators on accreditation, enrollment and retention, student life, spiritual life, and strategic priorities across the entire institution.

We engaged in deep metaphysical preparation each day, sharing inspiration and insights each morning in support of Principia’s Purpose. Readings focused on the subjects of service, abundance, and witnessing the light of the Christ.

College Updates
We commend College President Dr. Meggan Madden and her staff for their comprehensive preparation for the final stage of the College’s accreditation—the Higher Learning Commission peer site visit taking place this week on February 23–24. The Trustees have been closely supporting this work, and we had a productive discussion with the team preparing for the accreditation visit. We are confident in the College’s clear focus on student success, institutional effectiveness, and alignment of mission, operations, and academic vision.

The College team provided an enrollment update, including data points on prospective students in the pipeline, student recruitment strategies, and spring priorities in the Admissions Office. The extra “Move the Needle” funding proposed by College leadership and approved at the October Board meeting to help strengthen strategic enrollment management and support admissions initiatives is beginning to be utilized and implemented.

School Updates
Head of School Terry Grigsby was pleased to announce the School’s successful ISACS accreditation renewal, including commendations and recommendations that will be integrated into the Strategic Plan. 

The School’s enrollment management team provided updates on the competitive independent school landscape in St. Louis, sharing details on recruitment planning and upcoming initiatives. 

Strategic Plan Updates
The campus heads’ written reports to the Board ahead of this meeting were organized around the Strategic Plan, and we found this format helpful. At our June meeting, the Board ratified the seven overarching goals of  The Journey Reimagined: Principia’s 2025–2028 Strategic Plan. During this meeting, the Board ratified the full plan’s objectives and initiatives supporting those goals. We are grateful to the new campus heads and their teams for the extraordinary work invested in bringing clarity and vision to this plan. 

The Chief Executive and campus heads discussed next steps to operationalize the plan, define accountability structures, track key performance indicators, and ensure ongoing mission alignment. A resounding note of appreciation was given to all who collaborated and helped define this plan. Going forward, Trustees anticipate receiving updates centered around this working document.

Campus Engagement and Activities
Each Board member relished the opportunity to meet with many different constituencies on campus. These included:

  • Joining the Lower School students at lunch tables in the cafeteria, followed by accompanying them to recess. Wall ball and tag were favorites!
  • Enjoying dinner in House Hall with the Executive Team and their spouses
  • Hosting a lunch with School Athletics coaches and staff 
  • Participating in a lively conversation with Eliza Allen Stewart (US’99, C’03), a local member of the Principia Alumni Association Board, to hear alumni perspectives and questions
  • Attending the home boys’ varsity basketball game against Westminster 
  • Attending the boys’ and girls’ Honor Flight basketball games
  • Stretching our legs during a guided tour of the current capital projects sites around the School campus with Head of School Terry Grigsby

Here’s a summary of Board actions during the meetings.

Finance and Facilities Motions:

  • Approved the proposed 2026-2027 (FY27) budget. Board members noted, with great gratitude and appreciation, the intentional budgetary discipline across the entire organization during the budget development process. For FY27, operating expenses increase by 4.61 percent, from $72.9 million to $76.3 million. Funding for major capital projects to cover what is not paid for by donors increases from $5.9 million to $12 million. 
  • Approved authorizing the College administration to proceed with completing engineering design and construction documents for the renovation of Howard Center Dining Room.
  • Approved a resolution to proceed with construction of the Ted Munnecke Nature Center on the School campus. All funds for this project have been committed by donors.

It is heartening to come to campus and witness the community embracing this year’s inspirational theme: “Love inspires, illumines, designates, and leads the way” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 454). This shows up through athletic coaching, in every classroom, Crew activities, in the lunchroom, and through the extraordinary work each of you are each doing to advance Principia’s Purpose. As your Board of Trustees, we are grateful and are working right alongside you.  

Together, we can affirm this benediction from Mary Baker Eddy: “... rest assured you can never lack God’s outstretched arm so long as you are in His service” (Message to The Mother Church for 1901, p. 1).