Board of Trustees
Greenwood Friends School is governed by a Board of Trustees composed of volunteer members. According to our bylaws, a majority of the trustees must be members of the Religious Society of Friends. Parents must be represented.
The Board of Trustees is the guardian of the school’s mission and principal fiduciary of the school; it has primary responsibility for strategic planning and for hiring and nurturing the Director of Academics & Lead Teacher and the Director of Administration & Business; it assumes overall responsibility for the health and vitality of the school while delegating to the Directors responsibility for operations and implementation of policy (Principles of Good Practice, Friends Council on Education; for more information see GFS handbook).
Trustees are nominated by the Committee on Trustees, a Board committee, and appointed by the Board as a whole for three-year terms. The Board meets once a month and conducts its meetings in the manner of Friends — according to the rules and customs governing Quaker Meetings for Business. Officers of the Board are the Clerk, Assistant Clerk, Recording Clerk, and Treasurer. The Directors participate in Board meetings as ex officio members.
Greenwood Friends School Board members include:
Claudia Meyer: A current GFS parent, Claudia brings her expertise as a contract manager in a local healthcare system and as treasurer for Camp Cranium. Claudia joined the board in June 2025.
Jim Toohey: Jim clerks the Facilities Committee and is a member of Pennsdale Monthly Meeting. He’s been a board member since 2023 and part of the Administrative & Operations Team for the 2024-25 school year.
Krunal Thakore: Also a current GFS parent, Krunal is the operations director at the Gate House Transitional Housing and Care Center. He has extensive experience in area non-profit organizations and a strong background in local, municipal, and state government across PA, NJ, and NYC. Krunal became a board member in June 2025.
Larry Smith: As Treasurer, Larry clerks the Finance Committee. Larry joined the board in 2006 or in his own words, “A long time ago.” Larry was part of part of the Administrative & Operations Team for the 2024-25 school year.
Madeline Solenberger: A member of Elklands Preparative Meeting and a retired Registered Nurse, Maddie is parent to a GFS alumna with experience in active committee work at Bellingham and Olympia Friends Meetings. Maddie was approved to join the board in June 2025.
Melissa Rycroft: Melissa is rising clerk of the board, clerks the Committee on Trustees, and part of the Administrative & Operations Team for the 2024-25 school year. She’s a member of Pennsdale Monthly Meeting sojourning with Upper Susquehanna Quarter. Melissa has been on the board since 2021.
Olivia Oden: Parent to a current GFS student, Olivia is the Community Impact Coordinator at the Susquehanna Valley United Way. Olivia joined the board in June 2025. Olivia joined the board in June 2025.
Steve Clarahan: A member of Pennsdale Monthly Meeting, Steve, a Hughesville resident, brings a rich background, including a bachelor’s degree in history and as a musician specializing in Renaissance lute and vihuela. Steve was approved to serve as a board member in June 2025.
Committees of the Board
The work of the Board is facilitated by standing committees and by ad hoc task groups as needed. Each committee is clerked by a member of the Board who is responsible for reporting on the activity of that committee at Board meetings.
Finance & Development Committee
Assists the Treasurer and Directors in areas of financial responsibility such as: budget development, tuition assistance decisions, development activities, operational budget fundraising, marketing, and public relations.
Facilities Committee
Develops an annual maintenance schedule and oversees the maintenance, enhancement, health, and safety of the physical plant. Non-board members can participate in this committee.
Personnel Committee
Reviews personnel policies, proposes policy changes to the Board, and serves as a resource for the Directors to ensure that the highest standards of personal and professional conduct are met by staff, faculty, and students.
Committee on Quaker Life
Provides Quaker resources to the Greenwood Friends School community and support community building through Quaker activities and programs. Non-board members can participate in this committee.
Committee on Trustees
Cultivates interest in board service; nominates and orients new representatives to the board; identifies people willing to serve as clerk, assistant clerk, recording clerk, treasurer, and chairs of standing committees; monitors the health, diversity, and effectiveness of the board