Governance & Leadership
LEGAL STATUS
For governance and administrative purposes, Montessori Children's School of Key West operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation.
CORPORATION
Each parent or legal guardian of any child currently enrolled in Montessori Children's School of Key West is a corporation member entitled to all rights and privileges of membership. Community Board members are Corporation Members who are to be admitted upon application to and accepted by the Board of Directors. Corporation members will be admitted without regard to race, creed, gender or political affiliation.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS – PURPOSE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Our volunteer Board of Directors is responsible for the interest and advancement of the corporation. Specific responsibilities include:
● Approval of an annual budget;
● Approving certain expenditures;
● Establishment of committees;
● Making decisions in the best interest of the corporation.
BOARD PROCEDURES
The following procedures have been designed to keep discussion orderly and to provide an opportunity for you to participate in Montessori Children's School of Key West Board of Directors’ meeting(s).
Montessori Children's School of Key West encourages family participation in our school community. For complaints about school-related issues, the board asks families to talk first to the employee closest to the problem - usually a classroom guide or the Executive Director. Should a satisfactory solution still not be achieved, please submit your concern to the Board.
HOW TO GET ON THE AGENDA
If you want the Board to formally discuss or act on an item, your item must be placed on the official meeting agenda.
To do so, follow these steps:
1. Notify the Board Secretary a minimum of five work days before the board meeting when the item is to be considered.
2. Identify yourself and/or all individuals who will speak on the agenda item.
3. Provide summary information so that the Board can be prepared to address the item. Written documentation is preferred because it reduces the chance of error or misinterpretation. The board packet, which will contain the agenda, narratives, recommendations, and supporting documentation is usually prepared three days prior to regular meetings. Packets are sent to Board members at least two days before the meeting.
When you submit items for the agenda, you and other speakers will be invited to sit at the board table and address the Board members. Discussion limit is 10 minutes, unless theBoard agrees to extend the time.
The Board generally deals with an agenda item as a discussion item at one meeting and as an action item at a subsequent meeting. This allows time for reflection and further staff and community input. If agenda items, questions or problems relate to legal issues, state law permits the Board to go into closed session to receive such presentations.
HOW TO COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS
You may also present information, ask questions, or comment on topics already on the agenda. With agenda items, usually the Board hears recommendations and data by the administrative staff and then discusses the topic before taking action. Your time to speak will be after the Board members’ discussion and before their action on that item.
The Board Secretary will invite speakers to the board table. In the interest of time and to avoid duplication, it is suggested that groups wishing to speak should select a representative to speak for all.
