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Dear Hudson Montessori Families,
Thank you to all who were able to join us for the State of the School meeting! We always appreciate the opportunity to speak about the amazing things going on at HMS, and it was really nice to be able to meet in person once again for this yearly event. For those who were unable to attend, we’ve prepared a brief summary of the presentation.
Thriving is possible only if you have nurtured strong bonds with your community.
-Robin Wall Kimmerer (from The Serviceberry)
The Hudson Montessori Community is strong and thriving. From our dedicated teachers to enthusiastic parents and grandparents, many, many people come together to create the nurturing environment where our children are able to flourish each day. Every student is encouraged and supported to help them to be the best that they can be – not only academically, but as contributing members of our community, and someday the world.
As the Hudson Montessori School Board, we are privileged to work on behalf of these students, and the ones who will come after them. By making strategic decisions in areas such as finance, governance, development, and strategic planning, we help ensure that the school has what it needs not only for today, but to also meet the needs of future students.
With that in mind, we have undertaken a multi-year campus master plan initiative. We are guided in this effort by the imperatives of our Strategic Plan: to sustain program excellence, to invest in passionate and effective faculty, to broaden the HMS impact, and ensure financial stability. These were, in turn, inspired by our Mission Statement:
The mission of Hudson Montessori School is to foster a Montessori educational environment conducive to each child’s unique qualities and abilities for the development of social, emotional and reasoning skills that are essential for a lifetime of independent, creative thinking and learning in the world community.
The Master Planning Process began in Spring 2023, when we enlisted Brandstetter Caroll, Inc. and principal architect Rick Parker to lead the master plan design process. Over 2023-2024 school year, a Master Plan Working Committee comprised of faculty staff, parents, and board members was organized, and several visioning sessions were held with members of the HMS community, including faculty and staff, parents, alumni, and current students.
Out of those visioning sessions, several key concepts emerged. Education is obviously an important part of what we do at HMS, as we foster independence, curiosity, and a life-long love of learning in our students. But HMS is also a strong community, creating an environment that feels like home for our families. Some of the physical features of our space, such as the natural light, woods, library, and kitchen, were identified as hallmarks of our school. And, while we love the environment and buildings that we have, we know that the ability to add in features like a better community gathering space, athletic fields, a middle school campus designed to support increased enrollment, and even just more classroom space could help to enhance what we have and provide an even better experience for our students. We thank all who have contributed to the process so far, and we look forward to sharing additional progress and plans in the near future.
The financial well-being of HMS is always a focus for the Board, and we are pleased to report that HMS is financially strong. That is the result of careful stewardship by our Board Finance committee, as well as efforts by the School Administration business team. Our main source of revenue is, of course, tuition, and the Board carefully considers many factors when setting tuition each year. Please look for a separate communication with details on tuition levels and important deadlines for reenrollment from the school sent on Thursday, February 13. However, tuition alone does not cover the cost of an HMS education, and we appreciate the ongoing support of our fundraising efforts. We thank all who have contributed to the Hudson Montessori Fund this year, and we look forward to seeing you at the upcoming HMS World Market and Silent Auction Event on March 15.
As we consider tuition, we also consider other ways to help offset costs for families. One of those is the Ed Choice Expansion Program, which allows all families with children in K-8 to qualify for a scholarship to be used at a participating private school, based upon their family’s Adjusted Gross Income. Participation in this program, whether by schools or by families, is not automatic, and each school must evaluate the requirements of the program to determine if it is a good fit for them on a yearly basis. HMS began participating in the program for the 2024-2025 school year. Recently, the HMS Board approved participation for the 2025-2026 school year, with the stipulation that the requirements of the program, which may be updated by the State at any time, do not adversely affect HMS academically or programmatically. It is important that we prioritize the integrity of our students’ Montessori experience and, as such, participation in the Ed Choice program by HMS, including for 2025-2026, is NOT guaranteed.
Another option which positively impacts HMS is the Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) program. Through this program, taxpayers may redirect a portion of their Ohio taxes (up to $750 for an individual or $1500 for a couple) to provide tuition scholarships and financial aid to participating SGO programs. Any Ohio resident with in-state tax liabilities may participate, including parents, grandparents, friends, and neighbors. HMS received over $100,000 through this program last year, and we hope to double that impact in 2025. By participating in the SGO, HMS can direct funds that would otherwise go to financial assistance to other areas of operation, which benefits the entire school. If you are interested in participating, HMS has created a page with more details on the program.
The HMS Board is also focused on making good investments in the future of our school. As diligently as we manage our financial investments, we also need to invest in our school buildings, to ensure that they are well-maintained to provide an optimal learning environment. Most importantly, though, we recognize that we need to invest in our biggest asset: our amazing faculty and staff. In addition to competitive compensation packages, the Board has placed an emphasis on long-term professional development and continuous improvement opportunities for these critical members of our community.
While the focus of the HMS Board is strategic, we are fortunate to have a strong partner in our Head of
School, Matt Virgil. Matt oversees the operational side of HMS, including all day-to-day operations. As Matt reported at the meeting, he and his team have accomplished many things over the last year. Enrollment numbers remain strong, and there have been ongoing efforts to enhance our already excellent curriculum and existing programs. We greatly appreciate all of the work that goes into making this an amazing place for our children every day.
We are excited about what the future holds for HMS, and grateful for the community that makes it possible. Thank you for your ongoing support.
Sincerely,
The Hudson Montessori School Board of Trustees
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