THE IVY SCHOOL BOARD

Here you will find general board info, bios of our board members, and access to all board minutes  

General Info

The Ivy School Board of Directors serves the school community by overseeing the fiscal, legal, ethical, and executive administrative leadership of the school to ensure the long-term sustainability of the organization. We work collaboratively with the Executive Director to advance the school’s educational and equity missions. The board members are honored to serve in these roles that deliver a K-8 public charter Montessori education to Portland children.

Board members bring a diversity of experiences and backgrounds to the Ivy Board as parents and greater community members, overseeing the school and accomplishing short and long-term projects. Notably in 2019 the board worked with school leadership to initiate a capital campaign that combined funds from donations, a property sale, and loans to purchase the current school campus, achieving a long-time vision of bringing two school campuses together. In 2021-2022 the Ivy Board is raising the level of focus on equity and anti-racism through several initiatives, plus starting to focus on more efforts around fundraising in collaboration with Ivy Administration. Members are encouraged to initiate projects that align with the school mission and advance the mutual goals of the board and administration.

Being a member of the Ivy Board of Directors is a significant way to support and influence the direction of the school while working with a dedicated team of colleagues who value diversity of opinion and collaboration. The Board is honored to serve a free public Montessori school that builds independence, leadership, and a love for learning, coupled with social justice and inclusiveness. We welcome new board members with unique skills, unique perspectives, passion for education, and an excitement to initiate improvements to the organization.

Every Student Belongs Board Resolution

Regular Meeting Agenda

Regular board meetings are every 4th Monday of the month (5pm-6pm), except where noted on the main Ivy calendar.  Each regular meeting of The Ivy School Board of Directors is open to the public and includes reports from The Ivy School Executive Director and board of directors committees, board business as applicable, and an opportunity for public comment.

Public comment is limited to ten minutes. Attendees are reminded to limit comments to allow time for others to speak. Public comment is an opportunity for attendees to model respectful and constructive communication for our students while maintaining confidentiality. Attendees are reminded to refrain from using names and sharing identifying details. The Ivy School has a formal complaint process described in the Student Parent Handbook.

Past Board Minutes can be found on this page.

Join the Board

Being a member of the Ivy Board of Directors is a great way to support and influence the direction of the Ivy School while working with a dedicated team of colleagues who value diversity of opinion and collaboration. We welcome new members with unique skills, unique perspectives, passion for education, and an excitement to initiate improvements to the organization.

We seek both parents and greater community members for the following roles:

  • Treasurer who works with the school CPA and administration to oversee the school’s financial health. Read more about this position.

  • Member-at-large with philanthropic or fundraising experience

  • Member-at-large with a legal background

  • Member-at-large with experience in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

  • Members-at-large to support general board efforts

Ivy Board Member Commitments

Most new members agree to a one or two-year commitment upon initiation and enter as “At-Large” (not officers) members. At minimum, the board meets once per month (on Monday eves) as a group with Ivy Administration. As well, during the year the members may gather for training, strategy, project, or emergency sessions. This varies by year. Monthly time commitments, depending on role, range from 1-3 hours per month, including meetings.

LET US KNOW YOU ARE INTERESTED

Psyched or just curious? Either way, please fill out our Board Interest form online, and we will be in touch. We look forward to hearing from you!

Meet the Board

 

 

Caitlin Galimidi

Board Chair

Caitlin has over 20 years of experience in helping organizations improve their operations and achieve their goals. She has worked with well-known companies like Mozilla and Nike, where she focused on creating better systems and processes, making it easier for teams to work together effectively.

Now based in Portland, Oregon, Caitlin uses her skills as a consultant to support businesses and community organizations in making positive changes. She holds a degree in Anthropology and Studio Art from Smith College and a Certificate in Project Management from the University of California, Berkeley.

Caitlin is passionate about education and is excited to bring her experience to the school board. She looks forward to working with fellow members to enhance the learning environment for all students and contribute to a vibrant school community

 
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Tom Bull

Past Chair

A higher education and non-profit professional with more than 20 years of experience in Institutional Advancement, constituent engagement, and nonprofit work. Tom has been in the nonprofit world since 1993 supporting relevant and impactful programs that support local and national communities including participation with student mentoring, alumni volunteer networks for Northwestern University and Loyola University Chicago, and scholarship programs. Some additional community work includes volunteer work with NAACP, local food insecurities programs and the National Conference. Professional work includes tenures with Portland State University, Bastyr University, Northwestern University, and Loyola University Chicago. Tom earned his bachelor’s degree at Loyola University Chicago and a master’s degree from Northwestern University. He enjoys traveling, running, hiking, and skiing.

 

 

 

 

Dawnnesha Lasuncet

Board Member

Dawnnesha Lasuncet is a former elementary-school-teacher-turned-adult-educator from Los Angeles, California.

She joined Clackamas ESD as Equity and Inclusion Coordinator in 2020, focusing on changing ineffective policy and practices, cultivating trusting relationships with our partner districts, and ensuring that every staff member has what they need to thrive in a healthy work environment.

Her professional career has spanned across pK-12 to higher education. Prior to arriving at the ESD, she worked at the Oregon Department of Education as an Education Equity Specialist, providing professional development and instructional coaching for administrators and educators in the state of Oregon.

Her work with students and families includes participation in and employment with Oregon's non-profit organizations and grassroots communities dedicated solely to the wellness of historically under-served populations, as well as addressing educational inequities in systems and institutions.

 

Jessie Fox

Board Member

Jessie Stone Fox, M.Ed (she/her)

Jessie worked as a high school social studies teacher for four years in 'Ewa Beach, Hawai'i, and spent the summers teaching in the Middle East. These experiences ignited her life-long passion for education as an agent of positive change, one student at a time.

Jessie earned her undergraduate degree in Cultural Anthropology and Leadership Studies at Kansas State University and her Master's in Education at Chaminade University of Honolulu, where she fell in love with the Montessori method. Jessie is now a Director at a local nonprofit supporting youth experiencing foster care (Project 48).

She frolics through life with her husband Dan, daughter Quinn (Morrison classroom), and son Nico, who attends The Montessori House Preschool in St. Johns. Jessie is happy to work alongside fellow board members to support Ivy's vision and joyful and vibrant community.