Independent School Board Member

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Are you interested in furthering your knowledge and expertise with regards to independent schools governance? Are you interested in serving your community while learning new skills and gaining insight into board service? This could be the opportunity for you!

We are seeking board members starting May 2023 and ending no later than April 2026. Board Members of the Montessori School of Huntsville fill a critical role as directors and protectors of the organization's mission and vision.

The Montessori School of Huntsville (MSH) educates children to prepare them for a life of purpose, integrity, and academic accomplishment. We develop independent learners, critical thinkers, and tomorrow’s leaders.

As a nonprofit board of directors we represent community tax-payers through fiduciary oversight and the parent body (Montessori Society members) as the owner-representatives of the non-profit organization.

Each term is typically three years, but may be shorter in order to restore the desired term cycle. The board meets roughly monthly, currently Thursday evenings, with the Head of School (ex-officio, non-voting member) to set strategic objectives, review progress toward those objectives, review and approve the yearly budget, research initiatives to improve board operation and school standing in the community, and review financial statements. Every three years, the board renews the Head of School contract.

-Board members are expected to attend all board meetings and the biannual society meetings in-person or via video.
-There are two orientation sessions (~May) and one in-service (~Nov) where board members are exposed to the wonder of Montessori education in action.
-Occasional participation in spirit nights and fundraising events are strongly encouraged.

Board members are welcome to stop by the school for observations throughout the school year when COVID-19 restrictions have lifted, but are never required nor expected to supervise children. Occasionally, the board will meet via teleconference (Google Hangout or Zoom) to work through a project or emergent issue. Additional volunteer time is expected of every board member: reviewing agenda and read-ahead materials, contributing to at least one committee project each year.

The board collaborates through Google Drive and Google applications. Board members must do their best to communicate board work through the provided gmail account to maintain the historical archive. These are free resources. Board members seem to benefit significantly from owning either a laptop, tablet, or other transportable computational device to be able to access documents and analyses during meetings.

Board Members are expected to give a personally meaningful and tax-deductible financial donation to the school’s annual fund each year. The donation demonstrates to grant awarding organizations a dedication to the school’s vision and strategic direction. It also inspires teachers and staff that their leadership is invested in our mission.

This is an incredibly fulfilling role directly ensuring the long term health of an organization that has bestowed a lifelong love of learning to children in the Huntsville community for over 50 years. Thank you for considering this opportunity.