Governance & Committees
Having a governance council and dedicated committees is essential for ensuring the smooth operation and long-term success of Sugar Maple Nature School. These groups provide crucial leadership, guidance, and hands-on support to manage everything from curriculum to event planning and resource allocation. They help maintain our mission, foster collaboration, and address challenges effectively. But we can’t do it alone—we need your help!
The Governance Council
By law, charter governance councils are held accountable by the authorizer, the state, and the public to ensure that the school is operating in accordance with its original purpose and doing so in a responsible manner. More specifically, the Governance Council focuses on 501(c)(3) Management, Advertising, Fundraising, Policy Governance, Leadership Evaluation, Contract with Authorizer, Grants, Public Relations, Performance Monitoring, Budget Oversight. We act strategically to utilize resources wisely to ensure the school is maintaining the mission and reaching our goals.
Our Committees
The Sugar Maple Nature School is a tuition-free public charter school authorized by the Northern Ozaukee School District (NOSD). By law, charter Governance Councils (GC)are held accountable by the authorizer, the state, and the public to ensure that the school is operating in accordance with its original purpose and doing so in a responsible manner. More specifically, the Governance Council focuses on student achievement, acts strategically, recruits exceptional educators, utilizes resources wisely, and ensures the school is maintaining their mission and reaching their goals.
To support these efforts SMNS Governance Council, per bylaws Section 3.16(a), has established the following advisory committees:
Finance and Fundraising Committee (FAFC)
This committee is pivotal for the school’s finances. They work under the direction of the GC Treasurer and Director of Education to create the budget, monitor its implementation, and recommend changes. They also advise on asset management, pursue grants, and work closely with the PAC to organize fundraising events to support the school’s mission and programs. If you have a financial background, grant writing experience, or a passion for fundraising, this committee may be the perfect fit for you.
Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)
This committee’s primary goal is to enhance communication between SNMS administration and parents. Additionally, the mission includes raising non-grant funds to further support the organization’s mission, empowering parents by providing training and support to actively engage in their child(ren)’s education and the school community, and cultivating collaborative partnerships to ensure an exceptional school experience for our students and their families.
Academic Excellence Committee (AEC)
This committee assumes the primary responsibility for working with the Director of Education to define academic excellence, ensure that all GC members know the charter promises that were made to the community and the authorizer and to devise clear and consistent measures to monitor these goals. If you are great at digesting data and asking good questions and want to contribute to our ensuring fidelity of our vision and charter, we encourage your participation.
Facilities and Safety Committee (FASC)
This committee addresses the maintenance and operation of all land, buildings, facilities, and equipment owned or leased by the School. This participatory Governance Council (GC) committee is responsible for providing guidance, oversight, and, when appropriate, specialized expertise to the institutional administration. If you have experience in facilities management, project management, design or construction or are enthusiastic about creating a safe, inspiring learning environment, your input is invaluable.
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“I joined the Governance Council of the Sugar Maple Nature School because I believe in the mission. I loved the idea of learning outside instead of being stuck in a classroom all day, and I wanted that for my own children. I believe kids thrive when they can explore, move, and experience the world firsthand. This school gives them that opportunity, and I want to help ensure it stays strong for future generations.”
– Jesse Menghe, Governance Council Member
Sugar Maple Nature School