Board of Directors

Lee Montessori exists to create a more just, liberated world. Lee Montessori is a diverse, interconnected community that redefines high-quality education by pairing Montessori with Anti-Bias/Anti-Racist practices. We create a joyful learning environment where children and families flourish, and can show up as their authentic selves.

Duties and Responsibilities of the Board of Directors:

1. Develop, understand, and support the mission and vision of Lee Montessori Public Charter School.

2. Periodically review the mission of the school, to monitor the school’s progress in its short and long term strategic planning, setting priorities; both financially and operationally for the school, and as a basis for decision making.

3. Pursue and maintain accreditation through the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI).

4. Establish policies and procedures that maintain compliance with federal, state and local laws as well as supporting the schools mission.

5. Maintain the job description and performance for the Head of School.

6. Recruit, hire, retain, evaluate, (and terminate, if necessary) the Head of School.

7. Strengthen the school’s long and short-term strategic goals by providing fundraising support 

8. Recruit board members based on needed expertise as well as understanding and support of the strategic plan.

9. Selection and oversight, through the Audit and Finance Committee, of the annual audit of the schools financial records.

10. Participate in the development and monitoring of the schools strategic plan in the areas of student outcomes, fiscal compliance and sustainability, and facility acquisition/financing.

11. Communicate with the Family Advisory Council to monitor satisfaction of the program's compliance with mission.

Duties and Responsibilities of Individual Board Members:

1. Attend all board meetings; if unable, notification should be provided to the Chair of the Board.

2. Participate on at least one Board committee.

3. Provide wisdom and guidance through interaction at board meetings, including providing alternative perspectives, and acts in concert and supports the unanimous decisions of the board.

4. Develop and accomplish individual fundraising goals.

5. Attend Board of Director training events and Montessori pedagogy workshops. 

6. Maintain a favorable relationship with parents, students, volunteers, auditors and external stakeholders/regulators.

7. Avoid or disclose any and all conflicts of interest.

8. Effectively communicate with outside organizations to uphold and enhance the reputation of the school.

9. Maintain a high level of ethical standing.

10. Make decisions that are consistent with the mission, philosophy, goals, and objectives of the school.

11. Maintain knowledge of the charter school environment in the District of Columbia and understand the market and climate of issues affecting charter schools.

12. Monitor operational and organizational performance against goals, budgets or key indicators.

13. Ensure that capital and operating budgets are established annually and in a timely fashion.

14. Participate, to the extent requested, in selecting an outside auditing firm to conduct an external audit or review each year.

15. Agree and adhere to Lee Montessori PCS’s Conflict of Interest, Articles of Incorporation, and Bylaws.

Time Commitment

• Estimated 4-6 hours/month

  • 1.5 hour board meeting monthly (10 months/year)

  • 1 hour committee meeting monthly

  • .5 hours - 2 hours preparation work outside of meetings

• Term length: 3 years

• Term limits: 2 term

Residency

A majority of directors of the Lee Montessori PCS board must reside in the District. There are no residency requirements for an individual director.

Conflicts of Interest

All directors must review the Conflict of Interest policy, disclose conflicts, and sign an annual conflicts statement. The purpose of the conflict of interest policy is to protect the interests of Lee Montessori when it is contemplating entering into a transaction or arrangement that might benefit the private interest of a member of the Board of Directors or might result in a possible excess benefit transaction. This policy is intended to supplement but not replace any applicable state and federal laws governing conflict of interest applicable to nonprofit and charitable organizations.

Committee Participation

• Each board member is expected to participate in at least one standing committee, which meet monthly

• Standing committees of the board include:

  • Finance

  • Academics

  • Governance

  • Development

  • Strategic Planning

• Ad Hoc committees

  • Compensation and Evaluation (meets on annual basis to review performance of Executive Director)

Qualifications

1. Steadfast commitment to upholding the educational philosophies of Maria Montessori and the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) and to ensuring that all students are nurtured academically, socially, and emotionally;

2. Personal beliefs and professional skill sets that will ensure effective governance of the school in accordance with its mission and purposes; 

3. Willingness to accept and support the decisions made in accordance with the bylaws; and

4. Commitment to giving time, energy, and resources to support and strengthen the school.

Range of Desired Functional Skills and Expertise

•  Strategic Insight:

  • Management and operations

  • Strategic planning

  • Business, finance, and/or accounting

  • Legal

  • Talent 

  • Government affairs and policy

• Academic and School Leadership Expertise:

  • School leadership

  • Student performance and data analysis

  • Montessori curriculum and academics

• Representation of the Lee Montessori Community

  • Residence in the District of Columbia, with a diversity of wards represented

  • Diversity of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic, gender, and sexual orientation

  • Minimum of 2 parent board members required (1 per campus)

  • Awareness of and experience with parent perspective

• Development and Financial Commitment

  • Willingness to engage with donor cultivation and solicitation

  • Willingness to leverage personal networks

Nondiscrimination Policy

Lee Montessori does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation or gender in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, or any other school administered policies or programs. 

Application Process

Candidates for the Board of Directors are asked to complete an application form and submit to the Governance Committee. The Governance Committee will evaluate the qualifications of candidates against the above criteria and present a selection of the best candidates for vacant positions on the Board of Directors.