Innovation Montessori Board of Directors Overview
WHO WE ARE:
The Board of Directors functions as the governing body with executive oversight of the school, and deals with strategic, financial, and long term planning and communication. Creating policies and procedures that have a far reaching impact on our school’s future is a key focus of the Board of Directors. We seek to uphold our vision, mission and values as defined in our Charter. Our board is comprised completely of volunteer members who donate their time, money, and talents to preserving our Montessori culture and supporting a solid educational experience for all of our students.
The Board of Directors includes Stacey Williams (President), Brett Casey (Vice President), Philip Gallina (Treasurer), Kristin Chase (Secretary), Kevin Stone (Member), AJ Stevenson (Member), and Marissa Caravelis (Member).
APPROACH TO COMMUNICATION & BOARD MEETINGS:
The Board’s approach to communication is that we support our administration and staff in their operational decision making, focus on longer term strategic planning, as well as foster inclusive and respectful communication with and input from our IMO-IMHS school community. Our meetings are all open to the public and follow Florida State Sunshine Law protocols, as well as Robert’s Rules of Order. Periods for public comment are designated. These times will be determined at the Board’s discretion and will be either: 1) at the beginning of the meeting (comments should be focused on agenda items) and/or 2) prior to the designated meeting agenda item(s) where votes are conducted (comments should be focused on items that are up for voting).
Board members are held to strict guidelines in regard to only holding discussions on topics to come before the Board as part of public meetings. Community members with specific concerns and questions should first discuss with their child’s teacher, then with Administration, and then if not resolved, with the President of the Board of Directors. Grace and courtesy should be followed as part of all forms of school related communication, whether verbal or written. You may contact the Board Secretary about meeting agenda items, and the Board President or the Board as a whole at IMO_Board@innovationmontessori.com to share comments about Board meeting agenda topics and/or public comments to be read aloud at Board meetings. A Grievance Policy is available on our website for additional guidance, as well as Public Board Meeting Participation Guidelines.
For the 2023-24 school year, we have established four key goals:
1) Board Succession Planning & Cross Training
2) Add an 8th Board Member
3) Formalize Committees by end of year
4) Work with new Executive Director Heather Clay to establish a 5-year long term plan for our school
WHEN WE MEET:
Our main monthly meetings are typically held on the second Tuesday of the month and are noticed via posting on the online school calendar (on our website and linked within Parent Square – also, you can add it to your Google calendars!) with agendas included at our BoardDocs website https://go.boarddocs.com/fl/imcsfl/Board.nsf/Public. All Board meetings are open to the public with meeting minutes available once approved at the following month’s meeting at https://go.boarddocs.com/fl/imcsfl/Board.nsf/Public. We have a hybrid option for many meetings including in person and online. Committee meetings and working sessions outside of our main monthly meetings are also posted on the school calendar with minutes taken and posted. Our main monthly meetings that include Zoom typically also include a video recording that is posted shortly after the meeting.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
We are interested in finding Board of Directors Members with expertise to support our strategic vision. Skills in Finance, Legal, Fundraising, Strategic Planning, Recruiting, Marketing and Community Relations from both inside and external to our community are particularly helpful. Email sec-bod@innovationmontessori.com for an overview of the Board selection process, as well as committees and other opportunities to get involved!
The BOD’s fundraising efforts support both the short-term needs of our two established campuses and our longer-term investments to grow and sustain our school’s mission.
https://innovationmontessori.com/board-of-directors/
Visit for more information about the Board.
https://innovationmontessori.com/innovation-montessori-calendar/
Our main school calendar that is also linked to Parent Square.
https://go.boarddocs.com/fl/imcsfl/Board.nsf/Public
Visit for meeting agendas, minutes, and recordings.
https://www.facebook.com/Innovationmontessori
Visit and follow our school on Facebook! https://www.parentsquare.com/signin
Main Channel for School Communication
Meet The 2023 Board
Stacey Williams - President
Brett Casey - Vice President
Brett Casey has over 15 years’ experience in the Information Technology industry. He has been a successful leader in both digital media start-up’s as well as corporate IT for Fortune 500 companies. Brett holds a Bachelors of Business Administration degree in Computer Information Systems from Florida Atlantic University. Brett has led the successful development of innovative digital products, as well as large business transformational projects & programs. Brett is currently the Vice President of Digital Products and Transformation at Travel + Leisure Co. where he oversees the modernization of the customer experience through the development of new digital technologies.
Kristin Chase - Secretary
Kristin Chase is the Senior Director of the Organizational Development department for Universal Parks & Resorts. She has contributed to Universal since 2003 through consulting and leading employee feedback surveys, performance and talent management, leadership development, coaching, mentoring, selection assessment tool and competency model development, employee research, facilitation, and team effectiveness. She is a 2003 graduate of the UCF Masters’ program in Industrial/Organizational Psychology.
Philip Gallina - Treasurer
Philip has 15 years of experience in corporate accounting working for several large corporations in their shared service groups. His focus has been navigating the complexities of corporate needs and requirements, while evolving processes to achieve high levels of efficiency and accuracy. These roles have helped him to develop skills in finding solutions to complex situations through understanding the needs and desires of the others involved.
Kevin Stone - Member
A.J. Stevenson - Member
A.J. worked for Hyatt Hotels for 13 years and was in a senior leadership position at one of the largest convention hotels in Orlando. Using the leadership, organizational, and people skills from his tenure with Hyatt, he has transitioned to financial planning as a Financial Advisor with Virtus Financial Partners. His passion for personal finance, working alongside individuals as a guide, and forging long lasting relationships has worked to his advantage as he has started this journey.
Marissa Caravelis - Member
Marissa has over two decades of progressive and diverse experience within both a Fortune 100 corporation and a family-owned business. Her recent work has been focused on talent development, project management, change management and enhancing leadership skills. She has a history of creating and executing strategic solutions that positively impact employees and move the organization’s culture forward to keep up with the demands of our fast-paced and competitive work environment.
Marissa started her career as a financial analyst; therefore, she also has a solid background in data analysis, data consolidation and presentation construction.
Marissa is a 2002 graduate of UCF with a B.S in Business Administration with a major in Finance. She also obtained her Master’s in Business Administration in 2007 from Rollins College.