I am excited to share with our community about a recent board retreat held with our Board of Trustees. The board members and I, along with a consultant, engaged in a day-long session to focus on several essential aspects of board leadership. Our consultant guided us through important topics, including board best practices, case studies through tabletop exercises, and a review of the Board of Directors’ bylaws. This retreat not only strengthened our collegiality but also created an environment where diverse opinions could be comfortably shared and discussed.
During the retreat, the consultant challenged us to think about the future by drawing on insights from Rod Snelling, the founder of Independent School Management. Snelling reminds us that the board’s primary responsibilities are long-term and they should consider the needs of students who will be with us five years from now. We were encouraged to consider the following critical questions posed by Snelling to help ensure we remain forward-thinking and prepared for what lies ahead:
- What trends should we monitor over the next 5-10 years that could impact the school?
- How will the perspectives of future parents influence their selection of educational options for their children?
- What challenges might arise in the near future that we should prepare for?
- What actions can we take today to secure the school’s success five years from now?
- How are local demographics likely to evolve, and how can we adjust to these changes?
These are the questions that our board and leadership team will begin reflecting on as part of our strategic planning for the school’s future. We remain committed not only to the current success of ASM but also to its future growth, making sure, through thoughtful planning, that we can stay ahead of emerging trends and challenges.
I welcome thoughts and perspectives on future trends or challenges that our parents, faculty, staff, and alumni feel we may face as a school community. Additionally, I would love to hear from anyone who is interested in learning more about the work of the board or would like to explore serving as a board member. We are a community of learners, and we are passionate about the direction of Andover School of Montessori. Commitment, vision, and a desire to see ASM thrive as a leader in Montessori education are important qualities we value in board members.
