The Khalsa Montessori School (charter K-8) is a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation that is under contract with the State of Arizona, and run by the KMS administration in partnership with staff and parents. The Board of Directors includes parents, teachers, community representatives and the schools’ administrator. The site council, consisting of the school administrative and teaching staff, meets weekly and may be joined by a parent association representative whenever necessary.
The private preschool of the Khalsa Montessori School (Toddler and Primary) is a non-profit 501-(c)-(3) educational corporation. Historically, KMPS was part of the 3HO (Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization) founded in 1969 by Yogi Bhajan and dedicated to the development of the indvidual through the techniques of yoga, meditation, healthy diet and service. In 2008, Khalsa Montessori Primary School, which always operated independently of its former parent organization, became an independent corporation. The KMS Primary/Toddler Team consists of the School Director, the Primary Director, Front Office Receptionist, and teaching staff.
KMS is a community of families, teachers and administrators working together to create a positive and nurturing environment that supports academic excellence and personal growth. Each of the three bodies of the KMS has areas of responsibility, input and support.
The KMS Parent-Teacher Organization has taken responsibility for school fund-raising. It brings parental input regarding the overall running of the school to the school administration. It brings input regarding school programs to the staff. It supports the educational programs of the staff through its fund-raising dollars and its involvement in classroom projects and events.
The KMS teachers are responsible for the development and operation of the educational programs. Each lead teacher is responsible for all developmental aspects of the children within his/her program. The KMS staff has direct input into the overall running of the school through regular communication with the school administration. The staff has input into the fund-raising projects planned by the Parent-Teacher Organization through the staff participation in the Parent-Teacher Organization meetings. The staff supports the Parent-Teacher Organization’s efforts through their own involvement with them.
The KMS administration is responsible for the policies and operational decisions including staffing, admissions, finances, property, and special program development. The director is responsible for fulfilling all state and federal requirements of the schools’ Charter and reporting monthly to the KMS Board of Directors. The administration has input into teachers’ curriculum development and Parent-Teacher Organization fund-raising activities. The administration supports the teachers and classroom development through its role as facilitator. It supports the Parent-Teacher Organization fund-raising through its participation. The administration includes a director and an assistant administrator and/or receptionist.
KMS Board of Directors meets monthly. Meeting announcements, agendas, and minutes are posted on the bulletin board in the office hallway. The board was designed to approve major decisions such as contractors, budgets, bank accounts, policy decisions, and staff. It is not involved in day-to-day management.
The board may also provide a final review of issues that parents feel are not being resolved by the school administrations. To put an item on the board agenda, discuss your item with a board member at least 72 hours before the next board meeting.
Advisory Boards may be established at any time by the Board or the school administration.
KMS Parent-Teacher Organization Mission Statement
The Parent-Teacher Organization is comprised of parents of enrolled students, and teachers who are committed to making a difference in their children’s educations. As one entity in a three-way partnership with the administration and staff, it exists for the following purposes:
- To act as a sounding board and support group for the administration by over-seeing development of the school and facilitating the achievement of its long and short term goals
- To support the teachers’ delivery of excellence in education through receptiveness to classroom and professional concerns, needs and desires
- To plan and execute fund-raisers; to allocate funds in a manner most beneficial to the enhancement of KMS and its students, such as grounds and building improvements, professional development of staff, classroom materials and equipment, and other such purposes viewed as worthwhile by the Association
- To cultivate participation in the Association through verbal and written contact with parents
- To discuss parental suggestions and concerns, bringing them to the attention of the director when appropriate
Every member is keenly aware of the crucial role of parental involvement in the quality and success of teaching a child. In this era of educational awakening, it is our privilege to serve the individuality of our children who are developing a love of learning, self-direction and respect for the world around them.