The California Montessori Project Board consists of a broad cross-section of professionals with the skills necessary to appropriately oversee the operation of the organization. These members may have, among other valuable traits, experience in education, business, technology, facilities, leadership development and organizational development.
The CMP Board of Directors will be responsible for the operation and fiscal affairs of the School including but not limited to:
- The general policies of the School;
- Approval and monitoring of the School’s annual budget;
- Receipt of funds for the operation of the School in accordance with the charter school laws;
- Solicitation and receipt of grants and donations consistent with the mission of the School;
- Approving the School’s personnel policies and monitoring the implementation of these policies by the Principal and/or duly constituted committees;
- Hiring and evaluating the Superintendent;
- Approval of contracts with outside entities or persons over ten thousand dollars;
- Financial audit oversight; and
- All matters related to Charter approval, amendment, or revocation.
The Charter School Board of Directors may initiate and carry out any program or activity that is not in conflict with or inconsistent with any law and which is not in conflict with the purposes for which charter schools are established.
Communication to the Board
There are multiple ways to communicate with the CMP Board of Directors either through public comment or general communications.
Public Comment
- In person at the CMP Board Meetings
Located at the Carmichael Campus in the Gibbons Room Stakeholders may submit a Speaker Card and address the Board in-person.
- In person at the CMP Board Meetings from any of the CMP Campuses
At the beginning of the 2019-20 school year, CMP began offering remote locations through Zoom at each of our campuses allowing for stakeholders to attend, and provide public comment, from their local campus. Stakeholders may submit a Speaker Card and address the Board live via Zoom.
- Electronic Public Comment Card
An electronic Public Comment Card is also available for anyone attending from an alternate location and would like to make a public comment via Zoom. There is also a section to submit comments to the Board in writing. Written comments via this method will be forwarded to the Board on an on-going basis, two and a half hours prior to a Board Meeting, and following a Board Meeting. Prior to the transition to virtual Board Meetings CMP did not offer an Electronic Public Comment Card.
General Communications
CMP Stakeholders may also reach the Board at any time through the following options:
- General CMP Board Email Address
The public may also communicate with the Board through the general Governing Board email address, cmpgovboard@cacmp.org. Messages sent to this email address are shared with all Board members.
- Board Member Specific Email Addresses
Anyone wishing to submit a comment to any specific member of the Board, may do so via email at the following addresses:
- Open, Business Representative (1)
- Open, Business Representative (2)
- Mickey Slamkowski, Montessori Representative, dslamkowski@cacmp.org
- Tracey Weinstein, Charter Representative, tweinstein@cacmp.org
- Amber Busby, Community Representative, abusby@cacmp.org
- Renée Dall, San Juan Parent Representative, rdall@cacmp.org
- Marwa Helmy, Capitol Parent Representative, mhelmy@cacmp.org
- Ric Reyes, Elk Grove Parent Representative, rreyes@cacmp.org
- Jodi Mottashed, Shingle Springs Parent Representative, jmottashed@cacmp.org
Governing Board Overview
Role and Responsibilities of the CMP Governing Board
The California Montessori Project is a non-profit corporation which operates six charter schools in the Sacramento region. The Board governs the non-profit corporation; it does not directly oversee day-to-day operations of CMP schools. The Governing Board is legally responsible for (1) CMP’s compliance with applicable law, with the terms of CMP’s charters, and with the organization’s own mission; (2) CMP’s annual budget and fiscal solvency; (3) policies which apply to the organization as a whole and; (4) strategic planning for the network as a whole.
The Governing Board is also responsible for hiring the superintendent of CMP, who answers directly to the Board. Individual campuses are run by the principals under the supervision of the superintendent, and with the involvement of the local Campus Advisory Boards. The CMP Governing Board does not generally decide issues specific to individual campuses, and is not involved in hiring staff other than the superintendent. Parents who wish to be involved in matters directly related to their child’s campus are encouraged to join their Campus Advisory Board.
The CMP Governing Board may consist of the following members:
- up to four parent representatives, one from each charter (elected by CMP parents);
- one Community Representative (appointed by the Board);
- two Business Representative (appointed by the Board);
- one Montessori Representative (appointed by the Board);
- one Charter Representative (appointed by the Board);
- up to four District Representatives, one from each of CMP’s authorizing school districts (appointed by their respective districts; districts may choose if they will have a representative on the CMP Board).
Responsibilities of Governing Board Members
Under California law, each member of the Governing Board has a “fiduciary duty” to the California Montessori Project as a whole. This means each member has an obligation to act in the best interests of the non-profit corporation. The Governing Board is legally responsible for CMP’s actions.
Governing Board members are expected to attend the monthly meeting of the Board (usually the second Monday evening of the month), plus an annual day-long retreat. Governing Board members will be expected to serve on committees and fulfill other roles as directed by the Board.
Governing Board members generally serve three-year terms. Board members may run for re-election at the conclusion of their terms. The Bylaws provide for filling vacancies as needed due to resignations or changed status mid-term.
Interested in Joining the Governing Board?
Joining the CMP Governing Board is a wonderful way to support your child’s education and serve your community. As a member of the Governing Board you will be directly involved in providing a high quality, tuition-free Montessori education to a diverse population of children. The Governing Board benefits from the wide variety of skills, experiences, and backgrounds of its members. If you would like more information, please speak to your child’s principal, to the Superintendent Brett Barley, bbarley@cacmp.org, or the Governing Board Secretary Carrie Klagenberg, cklagenberg@cacmp.org or (916) 971-2432.
You may also fill out the Statement of Interest form and submit to the Board Secretary.