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An Update on the School History Working Group

As part of its ongoing work to apprise members of the wider Episcopal community of the research undertaken over the course of this past year, the School History Working Group — established in the fall of 2021 by Head of School Charley Stillwell and Chair of the Board of Trustees Lee Ainslie ’82 P’14 ’17 — offered all alumni the opportunity to join several virtual discussion sessions with chair Billy Peebles ’73 in April and early May. These sessions complement the previous group discussions held during March, which included alumni volunteers, trustees and trustees emeriti, faculty/staff, and students. Providing our community with opportunities to learn more about the process and what has been discovered thus far, ask questions, and share perspectives has been a focus for the Working Group. 
 
In late April, the Working Group shared its findings to date with the full Board of Trustees at its spring meeting. The Board is presently reviewing the research and considering thoughtful paths forward to acknowledge the role enslaved individuals played in Episcopal’s history, to continue the research, and to discuss implications of our past in relation to the School today and in the future. 
 
The Board plans to reconvene in June for additional discussions, and updates will continue to be shared with the full Episcopal community as this important work continues.
 
As always, people should not hesitate to reach out to members of the Working Group, listed below, with any thoughts or questions.
  • Billy Peebles ’73, Trustee 2015-2021, Working Group Chair
  • Jonathan Beane ’88 P’24 ’24, Trustee and Chair of the Racism, Understanding, and Belonging Task Force
  • Lenora Gant P’96, Trustee 1996-2002
  • Bailey Patrick ’79 P’11 ’12 ’14, Trustee 2004-10, Board Chair 2011-17
  • Louis Smith P’19, ’22, ’23, Director of the Office of Community and Equity
  • Bobby Watts P’98 ’00, faculty member 1992-2014
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