Trustee, Board of Trustees (Directors)

General Duties: Atlanta’s first Montessori school, Springmont is an independent school serving approximately 250 Atlanta-area students, from 18 months of age through 8th grade. The Board of Trustees shall have the responsibility to help Springmont realize its education mission to provide a learning environment based on the principles of Maria Montessori where diversity of thought and global perspective empower students to be inquisitive, knowledgeable, independent, compassionate, and effective. Trustees focus on strategic planning and the annual agendas derived from the resulting planning documents; establish, with the assistance and input of the Head of School the fiscal and strategic policy and direction for the School; and advise and counsel the Head of School as the sole employee of the Board. In turn, the Head of School manages an organization of 50+ teaching and administrative professionals delivering education on a 7-acre campus in Sandy Springs, GA and through its Landschool outdoor education campus in Summerville, GA. Springmont’s annual operating budget is approximately $6.5M.

Terms of Office: Three years commencing on June 1 unless selected to fill an unexpired term. Trustees can serve up to two consecutive three-year terms.

Responsible to: Head of School, Board Colleagues and Springmont’s member families

Duties of Board:

1. Financial Stewards: Ensure the financial affairs of the school are conducted on a responsible basis in accordance with established policies and in recognition of the board’s fiduciary responsibility with respect to tuition, donations and Apogee funds.
2. Champions of Springmont: Work to promote a culture of success, helping to market and support the school, increase enrollment and retention, raise funds, and enhance its image in the community.
3. Cultivators of Board Talent: Support other trustees, respecting their individual efforts and talents. Commit to educating oneself on best practices for independent schools.
4. Stand United: Trustees may disagree, but outside the boardroom they present a united front that demonstrates themselves as advocates of the school, in support of the Head of School.
5. Strategic Thinkers and Planners: Establish the goals, strategies and objectives to enable the school to fulfill its mission. Trustees commit themselves to best school board practices as outlined by NAIS and ISM.
6. Personnel: Participate in the recruitment of Board members and in the evaluation and hiring of the Board’s sole employee, the Head of School.

Duties of Trustees:

1. Attendance and active participation in meetings approximately every 6 weeks between August and May at Springmont School. Regular meetings are from 5:30-7:30pm. August and May meetings are full-day planning sessions, aligned to the start and finish of the school year.

• Plan your schedule to attend regularly, be on time, and stay until business is included. Virtual participation is enabled but in-person is strongly encouraged.
• Be prepared to discuss agenda items and fully review all materials sent in advance.
• Contribute knowledge and expertise by expressing your point of view, while considering the ideas of others.
• Help the Board make decisions that benefit the school.

1. Serve as an active member and attend meetings of at least one standing committee. In your second and third year, serve as a committee chair of one committee or as an officer.
2. Be a financial supporter of the school.
3. Participate in community wide events put on by the school including Montessori Mile in October, the Community Dinner in February, and the Auction in April.
4. Represent the school with pride at community events and at all times.
5. Stay informed about the school and its programs.
6. Champion development efforts including fundraising, the procurement of items for the auction and sponsorships for its events, and making connections for the school in the greater community.
7. Assist in student recruitment and retention.

Application: Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to Aarati Subramaniam at aarati78@gmail.com

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to Aarati Subramaniam at aarati78@gmail.com