From tackling school policy to sustaining Pinewood’s long term goals, Pinewood’s Board of Directors works behind the scenes to keep the school running. Board members usually keep a low profile, sometimes attending events. Consisting of five members of the Riches family, the board meets six times a year for about two hours. 

   While many school boards elect members to serve for a limited term, Pinewood board members serve until they are replaced by another member of the family. Currently, they are in the midst of replacing board member Lawrence Victor Riches Jr. who passed away last summer. As of now, the board members are Scott Riches, Board Secretary Laura Blotter, and members Kathleen Pickett and Dennis Riches. Here is just a little bit more about each of the current members. 

Scott Riches

   As the Head of School and liaison between the board and Pinewood’s administration, Scott Riches has served on the board for 25 years. After working as Pinewood’s Business and Operations manager, Scott Riches was offered the position by his grandfather, Pinewood co-founder Victor Riches.

   “I think it showed that he had confidence in me and [in] the opinions I would add,” Scott Riches said.

      Over a year ago, Scott Riches renegotiated Pinewood’s Upper Campus lease with Palo Alto Unified District, extending it through 2063. Scott Riches believes that his most difficult experience on  the board was navigating the COVID-19 pandemic.

   “There were so many feelings and opinions about what was safe,” Scott Riches said.

   Despite the difficulty, Scott Riches believes that the experience helped strengthen Pinewood’s community. 

   “I think that we also built a lot of trust within the Pinewood community,” Scott Riches said. “One of the things I keep hearing from our current families…is how well we navigated COVID.” 

   Scott Riches said he hopes to modernize Pinewood’s Upper Campus through various facility improvements and provide experiences that prepare students for life beyond college.

   “I think it’d be very exciting…to enhance…our curriculum and classes that we’re offering with state of the art facilities,” Scott Riches said. 

Laura Blotter

   After replacing her grandfather, Victor Riches, in 2005, Laura Blotter took charge of board-related paperwork, such as the minutes, from each board meeting. 

   Blotter believes that her familial connection to the other board members creates a better sense of investment in Pinewood’s future and a stronger flow of information.

   “Our board remaining the same…[is] beneficial. It helps us be more nimble,” Blotter said. “We are completely invested in the school because of a love and a passion for it.”

   Outside of being the board’s secretary, Blotter works as the K-6 Director of Curriculum and director of the Summer Festival of Learning  at Lower Campus. She also taught at Pinewood for many years.

   “I remember sitting with [Gwen Riches] and typing out the first teacher’s manual,” Blotter said. “It’s been important for me to be continuing that role so that I can bring the same joy and confidence to others.”

    As Blotter looks ahead, she hopes to contribute to a steadfast school built on education and community.

   “I hope that we have created an institution where [students are] given a strong education in the arts and a good community,” Blotter said. “With or without me, I hope those ideals will continue.”

Kathleen Pickett

   Former Curriculum Director and author of Pinewood’s grammar workbooks, Kathleen Pickett has served on the board since its inception. Pickett played a key role in crafting Pinewood’s approach to reading and writing. She has also overseen the production of many Pinewood plays and the development of Pinewood’s Festival of Learning curriculum. 

   Pickett’s role on the board is to write school policy and discuss curriculum changes. One of her policies was the decision to limit AP classes for some students and create teacher and administrator evaluation interviews.

“We need[ed] to raise our standards for the students who go in [to AP classes] and for the teachers who are teaching it,” Pickett said. “We have to have at least 80% of our students passing those AP Classes, or they shouldn’t be AP classes.”  

    Pickett said that her hardest policy decision was deciding what should be taught in Pinewood’s first sex education program.

   “A lot of parents didn’t want anything to do with sex education in high school,” Pickett said. “I was in charge of researching and presenting the program, which the teachers got all approved.”

   Pickett believes that Pinewood’s future should be centered on a strong curriculum and an equally strong community.

   “Financially, it’s essential that community remains solid,” Pickett said. “The curriculum, what students are learning, and the atmosphere in which they’re learning is what’s most important to me.”

Dennis Riches

   Dennis Riches, father of Scott and Kyle Riches, has served on the board for 50 years. As the son of Pinewood’s founders, Dennis Riches was invited by his parents to join the board. His work on the board focuses on setting long term objectives, such as goals and budget approvals, in order to continue the vision of his parents.

   Dennis Riches also provides guidance to Pinewood’s administration, often acting as a sounding board. He prides himself in the development of the Lower and Middle Campus.

  “If I had to pick one [accomplishment], it would be the lower and middle campus renovations and improvements,” Dennis Riches said. “Quite a difference from the original campuses.”

   Dennis Riches said he hopes that his legacy will reflect his hard work in creating the school it is today.  

   “I hope my impact on Pinewood shows my love and dedication to the school,” Dennis Riches said. “I love what Pinewood has become and how it has benefited so many in the community.”