School Board Election
Ballots due May 16, 2022 by 5:00 pm
Three Rivers Montessori Board of Directors Election is open now through May 16, 2022. Ballots are due May 16, 2022, by 5:00 pm. Submit votes by dropping them off at the school, mailing them, or sending them to school with your child. Each guardian should complete a ballot per child they have enrolled. For example, a family with three students and two guardians will submit six votes total for the election.
All seats will be elected this year, including teachers members, parent members, and community members. Traditionally a term is three years. However, some seats have shorter durations because we created staggered terms in our first election. Our board can have up to 9 board members; currently, we have seven individuals running.
- Community Member = 1-year term.
- Parent Member = 1-year term
- Parent Member = 2-year term
- Teacher Member = 2-year term
- Parent Member = 3-year term
- Parent Member = 3-year term
- Parent Member = 3-year term
- Community, Parent, or Teacher Seat = 1-year term
- Community, Parent, or Teacher Seat = 2-year term
The definitions of the different types of members are as follows:
- A parent member must have a current student and cannot be employed by the school or perform contract work.
- A teacher member must be a current teacher. They may (or may not) have a current student.
- A community member is a resident of Minnesota who is not otherwise currently associated with the school.
The timeline for applications and elections is as follows:
- May 16th – elections closed
- May 17th – School Board meeting – results of the election announced
- May 17th – School Board meeting – board votes & designates officers
- July Regular School Board meeting – new members were sworn in.
JOin the school board or subcommittee
Join the School Board
The school board is an interim board up until we reach year three of operation in which we will begin to hold board elections. At this time we are looking for board members of different skill levels to help the school facilitate its goals of being financially fiscal and an authentic Montessori school with an environmental focus.
We ask that all board members attend a virtual monthly board meeting as well as any special board meetings.
In addition to attending the board meeting we encourage all board members to serve on a subcommittee. This is where board members can spend an additional two to eight hours a month on subcommittee activities. The commitment levels of the subcommittee varies depending on what projects are up at the time. We currently have the following committees active and inactive. Those that are inactive at this time may be activated as soon as there is a need.
Join a Subcommittee
Subcommittee membership is open to all persons that have an interest in supporting the school mission and vision. Membership in a committee can be limited to a project or ongoing basis. Membership is approved by the Board of Directors.
The Governance Committee shall perform the duties set forth elsewhere in the Bylaws in regard to the election of Directors, election of officers, and filling of vacancies, and such other duties as are deemed appropriate and necessary by the Board of Directors.
The Development Committee shall plan and supervise all fund raising activities of the Corporation. The Development Committee shall be chaired by a Director.
The Academic Excellence Committee shall be responsible for ensuring that overall curricular policy remains faithful to the Corporation’s mission, for reviewing specific curriculum choices on a regular basis and making recommendations to the Board of Directors on adoption of curriculum materials, and such other duties as are deemed appropriate and necessary by the Board of Directors.
The Budget and Finance Committee shall be responsible for presenting an annual budget to the Board of Directors, making recommendations to the Board of Directors on long-range financial and facilities planning, monitoring contracts for bookkeeping services, ensuring compliance with state financial procedures, and such other duties as are deemed appropriate and necessary by the Board of Directors. The Budget and Finance Committee shall be chaired by the Treasurer.
The Accountability Committee shall be responsible for ensuring that the Corporation meets the terms of its contract with the Corporation’s Authorizing institution, for setting annual academic and non-academic goals as required in the charter school accountability framework, charter school accountability reporting to the Authorizing institution and the Minnesota Department of Education, and such other duties as are deemed appropriate and necessary by the Board of Directors.
The School Operations Advisory Committee shall report at all regular meetings of the Board of Directors on all aspects of the operation of the Corporation that fall within the scope of responsibilities of the School Director.
The Facilities Committee shall investigate facilities options for the School, including, without limitation, management and operation of existing facilities as well as searching for new facilities if needed, and, on request by the Board, report to the Board with respect to its findings.
Apply for the School Board or Subcommittees
To apply for the position of Board Member at Large or to join a subcommittee complete an application and email it to the board chair: chris.castagneri@threeriversmontessori.org.
Follow this link to the application: https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/2d6f3dba-b4ae-4e46-87be-83d480aa7eef/downloads/Application%20to%20Serve%20On%20TRM%20Board.pdf?ver=1629925121600
If you have additional questions, email the School Leader: jonna.duke@threeriversmontessori.org
Board Members
Chris Castagneri
Chris Castagneri
Chris Castagneri
Professionally, Chris has been working in the marketing field for about 20 years and has a broad range of experience.
She has also led on the executive teams of new companies. She has a BS Degree in Mass Communications, advertising concentration, & marketing minor. Additionally, she has specialized training in non-profit marketing.
Chris also has a rich history of community service in Elk River, including as a Rotarian (Chair and Member), Arts Alliance Board Member, Friends of the Kelly Farm Board Member, and Chamber of Commerce Board President and Member.
She is also a mom, wife, practicing drummer (need much practice), hiker, director of bed-time stories, artist, and music enthusiast.
Contact Information:
Board Chair
chris.castagneri@threeriversmontessori.org
Hannah Scholten
Chris Castagneri
Chris Castagneri
Hannah is a Montessori teacher.
She has a degree in elementary education from the University of Northwestern St. Paul and a Minnesota tier three teaching licence in elementary education.
This is her second year as an E2 teacher but her first at TRM. Before TRM she worked in Hutchinson, MN as an E2 teacher with a student population of fifty percent special education needs.
Some of her favorite things to do when she is not teaching are going outside for a walk or run with my dog Jack Jack, laying in her hammock and reading a fiction book, rock climbing, or spending time on a project or craft.
She is looking forward to meeting you and welcoming you to TRM.
Together we will create an awesome learning community!
Contact Information:
Teacher, Board Secretary
hannah.scholten@threeriversmontessori.org
Lindsay Tilley
Chris Castagneri
Amanda Johnston
Lindsay joins the TRM board with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from St. Catherine’s University in St. Paul. She has taught in a variety of classrooms before deciding to stay home to raise her children. Lindsay also served in the United States Air Force, where she supported missions all over the world.
Lindsay and her family are new to the area, moving from the East Metro. She now resides in Elk River with her husband, three daughters and two dogs.
Some of her favorite things include family time, running races, being outdoors (hiking, swimming, relaxing in the hammock) or sitting down with a good book. She is also an active volunteer in her church.
Lindsay is so excited to be a part of the TRM community and believes in the TRM mission in empowering students to reach their full potential through authentic Montessori learning.
Parent Member
Amanda Johnston
Amanda Johnston
Amanda Johnston
Amanda is a Minnesota licensed attorney specializing in FDA law and health care fraud and abuse law.
Amanda is a council member on the Minnesota State Bar Association’s Food, Drug, and Device Law section and also teaches Drug and Device Law as an Adjunct Professor at Mitchell Hamline School of Law.
She is also a wife and hockey/soccer mom living in Otsego, MN. Amanda enjoys going "up north" to their cabin in Nisswa, fishing, boating, and trying to keep up with her two active little boys.
Amanda's son, Wyatt, began attending Three Rivers Montessori in fall 2021. She is honored to serve the TRM community.
Parent Member
amanda.johnston@threeriversmontessori.org
Sara Maravelas
Amanda Johnston
Sara Maravelas
Angie Johnson
Amanda Johnston
Sara Maravelas
Special Consultants
Consultant Joe Aliperto
At Dieci School Finance, Joe provides Business Management Services to schools through exceptional understanding of each schools individual financial needs and expectations.
He aims to provide the proper tools and information to succeed financially, allowing clients the freedom to focus on the daily operations and future goals of the school. He is not just a service provider. He forms a partnership with each of his clients to ensure success; he strongly believes in the staff and the goals of the schools he serves.