presentation boards2

The Montessori The Montessori BoardBoard

Above All Else, Do No

Harm!

Above All Else, Do No

Harm!

To be faithful to their mission, they should be governed in a way that is consistent with Montessori philosophy.

Montessori schools have a fundamentally different ethos from other schools.

Premise

What Is A Board?

A board is the governing body that is officially responsible for directing the affairs, policies, and economy of a state, country, or organization.

A Board’s members may be appointed, elected by an

organization’s membership, or it can be self-perpetuating.

Although all parties should have input, which of the following is a properly a board responsibility, an administrator responsibility, or a teacher responsibility?

When a board works well, it can

accomplish wonderful things.

When it doesn’t, a Board can create all sorts of mischief and havoc within a school

community.

Most Montessori Schools in the USA

are nonprofit.

Most Montessori Schools are

governed by boards made up of present

parents

On the whole, parent boards are the single greatest

challenge to most Montessori schools today!

Old saying: “A camel is a horse designed by

a committee.”

Perhaps it would help if we went over it one more time!

What makes a school non-profit?

Assets do not belong to the board or to the members. They are held in trust


Approved as tax exempt charitable organization by the state and national governments


Profits, if any, cannot be distributed to the board or members


Donations are typically tax deductible

Ideally, people who serve on the board of a Montessori school are passionately committed to the school and to Montessori

They hold the school as a sacred trust!

Why do people serve on boards?

Certainly not for the pay, because there is none.

Certainly not for the honor of the office, for Boards are often distrusted by many members of a school community.

Perhaps it’s because we are interested in our children’s school.

Sometimes we simply want to be in the know, and assume that the board is the place to be. Sometimes trustees come to a board annoyed with past decisions, anxious to throw the rascals out! Sometimes people sit on a board for years, saying little or nothing because they don’t feel that they can compete with those others on the board who are so sure of themselves.


Perhaps it’s because we are interested in our children’s school.

Sometimes we simply want to be in the know, and assume that the board is the place to be.

Sometimes trustees come to a board annoyed with past decisions, anxious to throw the rascals out! Sometimes people sit on a board for years, saying little or nothing because they don’t feel that they can compete with those others on the board who are so sure of themselves.


Sometimes trustees come to a board annoyed with past decisions, anxious to throw the rascals out!

Sometimes people sit on a board for years, saying little or nothing because they don’t feel that they can compete with those others on the board who are so sure of themselves.


Sometimes people sit on a board for years, saying little or nothing because they don’t feel that they can compete with those others on the board who are so sure of themselves.

Yet for others, they serve because they are interested in their children’s school

They simply want to do as much good in the world as they can

They serve on the board to honor the school’s legacy and to preserve the integrity of its mission


They serve on the board to honor the school’s legacy and to preserve the integrity of its mission


Elihu Root

Schools and colleges, hospitals, libraries, and museums are the guardians of civilization. To have the honor to build oneself into the structure of an undying institution, aiding in the development of one of these priceless instruments of culture through the investment of one’s wisdom, experience, and financial support, is to have lived not in vain, but to have lived in perpetuity.

What does an Effective Board do?

The Board defines the Mission of the school and clarifies its philosophy

It selects a Head to administer the School, and, having appointed him or her, the Board provides support and periodically evaluates his or her performance

The Board approves the annual operating budget


The Board establishes policies which govern the day-to-day operation of the school in all areas of board concern: legal issues, financial matters, definition of authorized programs that the non-profit will offer, and so on.




Working through the Head, the Board ensures that all laws and regulations are being followed and that the day-to-day operation is consistent with Board policy and the institution’s Mission and philosophy

Working with the Head and school community, the Board drives a process of on-going strategic planning and self-study.

The Board formally adopts, from time-to-time, long--range plans and provide a structure for their implementation.

The Board members collectively assume a key role in fund raising for the school.

Whose Responsibility is This?Design of a classroom

Decision on curriculum, i.e. shall we teach Latin?

Dealing with parent complaints about the educational program

Determining policy regarding the admission of special needs children

Maintenance and upkeep of grounds and facilities

Deciding whether or not a teacher will be rehired

Setting individual salaries

Deciding whether an individual child will be asked to leave or not invited to return

Deciding what color to paint the buildings

Approving ads

Approving teacher benefits

Establishing the mission statement

Establishing the Blueprint

Determining the parent education program

Establishing policies, strategies, and goals of fundraising

Asking people to give

A child is injured. Who speaks to the press?


The Board formally adopts, from time-to-time, long--range plans and provide a structure for their implementation.

The Board members collectively assume a key role in fund raising for the school.

The members of the Board serve as ambassadors for the school, promoting its good name and letting the public and constituency groups know about its success stories.

Guarding the legacy and trust

The board’s ultimate

role

Whose Responsibility is This?Developing the budget

Developing a strategic plan

Hiring new staff

Setting tuition

Decisions on student-teacher ratioDecisions on standardized testing

Policy on sexual harassment

Collecting tuition

Design of a classroom









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Whose Responsibility is This?Deciding whether or not a teacher will be rehired


Deciding whether a child will be asked to leave or not invited to return


Approving ads








Where does the Head of School fit in?

The Head of the school, regardless of title, should be the Chief Executive Officer of the school. He or she is generally responsible for creating or sustaining an on-going Montessori education program.


The Board hires the Head.

Everyone else on the staff is hired, supervised, and evaluated by the Head or, in the case of a very large school, by a second level administrator who reports to him or her.


The Head has ultimate authority to manage the school, operating however within certain guidelines explicitly set out by the Board of Trustees as official policy and within the spending guidelines approved in the annual budget.

One can compare the Head of School to the captain of a ship owned by others. While he or she works for the owners, at sea the Captain is legally responsible for the ship’s safe operation and for the well being of the vessel, passengers, and crew.

Things that tend to challenge Montessori boards

Many Montessori boards are made up of present parents

Often they are elected by the parent body. This is unusual among private schools.

Short terms of office - High turnover

Often no long term commitment

Little understanding of Montessori or even private schools

• Limited sense of the school’s identity or even its previous history

In group out groups inner circle of people in the know power influence

Parents on board often trying to watchdog for their kids

• Board leakage of confidential information

• In-groups and out-groups

• Tendency to apply business world mindset to education

• A tendency to periodically redefine the school’s identity

• A tendency to make ill informed decisions

• A reluctance to make difficult decisions

• Frequent conflict between parent board members’ self-interests and friendships, and best interest of school or integrity of the Montessori program

Limited sense of the school’s identity or even its previous history

In-groups out-groups - an inner circle of people in the know who have power and influence

Parents on board often serve as more as a watchdog for their children, rather than as a guardian of the school

Tendency to apply business world mindset to education

• A tendency to periodically redefine the school’s identity

• A tendency to make ill informed decisions

• A reluctance to make difficult decisions

• Frequent conflict between parent board members’ self-interests and friendships, and best interest of school or integrity of the Montessori program


Board leakage of confidential information

A tendency to periodically question the purpose of the school and redefine its identity

Tendency to make ill informed decisions

Reluctance to make difficult decisions

Conflict between parent board members’ self-interests and friendships, and the integrity of the Montessori program


Whose Responsibility is This?Deciding what color to paint the buildings

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Guarding the trust and legacy – the

board’s ultimate role

A Montessori School Should Be Governed

By A Montessori Board!

How most nonprofit boards work

Political - Competing points of view - Struggle for power and control

Money and position count - There are somebodies and nobodies

Large - to bring more monied and influential people into the group

Information is closely held - Secrets

Montessori philosophy as it applies to governance

Kindness, respect, and inclusion for even the youngest child

Circle of equals - No ‘somebodies’ and ‘nobodies’

Non-confidential information is shared

Every voice is heard

Strong sense of community

Search for consensus

Nonviolent communication

Culture in which people feel safe and accepted

Peaceful resolution of disagreements

People are encouraged to explore their interests and think outside of the box

Montessori philosophy as it applies to governance

The Montessori Foundation’s

recommended model for governance

In time every school can drift away from its original vision and core values, just as a sailboat will be eventually be blown off course by wind, current, and tides. Educational leadership can be compared to navigating at sea. It requires a clear sense of where you're trying to go, close attention to where you really are, and periodic course corrections. A blueprint will give your school a tool that will allow you to remain true to your vision.

9 Areas of School OperationBlueprint of

Core Values andBeliefs as a

School

A

Blueprint - Governance


8.1.3.1 The Board will only approve motions that are supported by the core values and beliefs stated in the blueprint.

8.1.4 If the Blueprint does not address the issue, or if the Board concludes that the Blueprint needs to be amended to more completely address the school’s underlying values and beliefs, it will go through the process of amending the Blueprint, with community input, before voting on the motion.

8.1.4.1 Before amending the blueprint, the board will formally request the school community review the proposed amendment and provide feedback.

8.1.5 The minutes of the meetings of the Board will reflect not only the motions passed, but the text of the underlying elements of the Blueprint and will cite the section of the blueprint that supports the action.

8.1.6 The major actions of the board will be communicated to the school community in a timely fashion. These communications will include the motions passed, including the text of the underlying elements of the Blueprint.

8.1.7 Except when confidential matters are being considered, board meetings are open.

8.1.8 Concerned parents or staff members may request the opportunity to address their opinion to the board.

Whose Responsibility is This?Decisions on student-teacher ratios

Decisions on standardized testing

Policy on sexual harassment

Collecting tuition

Design of a classroom









Approving ads









8.1.4.1 Before amending the blueprint, the board will formally request the school community review the proposed amendment and provide feedback.

8.1.5 The minutes of the meetings of the Board will reflect not only the motions passed, but the text of the underlying elements of the Blueprint and will cite the section of the blueprint that supports the action.




Board

CommunityMeeting

Faculty& Staff

Students

Head ofSchool

Blueprint

Whose Responsibility is This?Establishing the Blueprint





As your Board develops, carefully consider a wide-range of issues that will allow it to become increasingly effective.

What is a Board’s optimal size?

Many independent schools have Boards of 17 members, based on the goal of having 2 trustees serve on each of the eight committees traditionally found.

Generally, we recommend Boards made

up of between 5 and 7 trustees, serving for

terms between 3 and 5 years. However,

What constituency groups should be represented

on the Board?

Board members should not represent any

constituency groups.

They need to focus on the whole school.

What will best serve the school for generations to

come?

What decision will be most true to the school’s mission and Blueprint?

What officers should you appoint and what are their roles and

responsibilities?

Officers - We Recommend

President

Vice President

Treasurer

Secretary

Roles (not officers) Facilitator • Scribe • Process Monitor

How often should the Board meet and for how long?

No more than once a month; ideally less often.

What committees should you set up?

What are their roles?

Committees

Executive Committee

Finance Committee

Buildings and Grounds Committee

Committee on Trustees

Whose Responsibility is This?

Asking people to give to the school

A child is injured. Who speaks to the press

The motion has been made and seconded to stick our heads in

the sand!

What is the best way to run effective board meetings?

What is the proper role of Board members in relation to the school’s administration and staff to avoid potential confusion and conflict?

In what ways should the Board interact with the parent body?

How can the Board begin to plan most effectively for the future?

How can we develop our board’s wisdom and train new trustees to their roles?

Select board members not simply on the basis of the experience and skills that they bring to the table, or on their ability to raise money, but on their commitment to school’s mission.

Board members must be crystal clear about the role of the board as a whole and of their roles as fundraisers, advisors, and ambassadors for the school.

The Montessori Way of Meeting

Objectives of Meetings

Ensure that every voice is heard

Avoid hierarchies of power over discussion

Nurture trust, compassion, and respect

Allow for honest, open communication between those in charge and various constituencies

Basic Rules

Whoever is in a position of real power never runs a meeting

Avoid pre-established agendas

Do not discuss confidential matters that concern an individual

Speak to one another with kindness and respect

3 Roles in Meeting Process

Facilitator

Scribe - Secretary

Process monitor

Role of the Facilitator

Help the group to select its next topic

Keep the group focused on the discussion

Maintain order

Ensure that each member can be heard

The facilitator does not

participate in the discussion

Role of the ScribeCreate and maintain the written agenda

Record notes of the ongoing meeting

Transmit final notes to the constituency group(s)

Transmit any formal communications to other groups

Pass ongoing agenda and parking lot list to next facilitator

Role of the Process MonitorRole of the Process Monitor

Listen to tone and observe the ongoing process

Watch for members who seem upset, or are finding it hard to get the floor

Clarify what people are saying if things seem confusing

Serve as a back up to the facilitator

Forming the Agenda

Anyone can add to the agenda at any time

The group decides what topics to cover in a meeting or which to consider next

Any topic not completely addressed is carried over to the next meeting

The Parking Lot

Any issue that we want to remember, but which we are not yet ready to discuss, can be added to a list of future topics called the Parking Lot

Goal of debate

Ask what is most consistent with the group’s mission and fundamental values

What will serve the entire community best in the long run?

Seek consensus if possible

Ensure that minority has been clearly heard

Discussion

Wait until no one is talking, then speak

Say your piece slowly and carefully

Listen to the person who is speaking

Do not interrupt, clap, or express disapproval

The Talking Stick

Used to force conversation to refocus

Can be called by anyone, anytime

Each speaks while holding thes stick

People can silently pass

Stick is passed around the entire group

Five Finger Voting

Five Fingers - Enthusiastic Support

Four Fingers - Strong Support

Three Fingers - Agreement

Two Fingers - Some Questions or Concerns

One Finger - Deep Concerns and Disagreement

No Fingers - Passionate Disagreement

If a vote reveals concerns

If any members vote with 2, 1, or no fingers, the chair invites each to clarify the reason for their concern or disagreement.

The group listens carefully to what each says.

After each has had a say, there may be further discussion in an attempt to reach compromise and consensus

If there is still no consensus

A new vote is taken.

If there is still concern or disagreement, those voting with 2, 1, or no fingers are invited to place their concerns in writing for the official record, either as a collective minority opinion or individual minority opinions. Their names and opinion(s) are reported to the larger community.

This form of meeting is used in...

Board meetings

Faculty meetings

Classroom meetings of parents and teachers

Community meetings

Student meetings

Suggested Structure

THE BOARD

HEAD & ADMIN

CLASSROOMMEETINGS

FACULTY

& STAFF

STUDENT BODY

COMMUNITY MEETING

A group may...

Ask another group to respond to a formal question

Express its opinion about something

Make a formal recommendation about something

The group addressed agrees

To respond within a specific time frame

To respond officially

To base its response on the school’s mission and core values

In a school, the final decision normally rests with the board.

Whose Responsibility is This?







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