Stewarding Sterling Montessori with clarity, accountability, and community partnership
Learn More
Sterling Montessori Academy & Charter School is governed by the Laura Holland Uzzell Foundation (LHU)—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1993 to expand access to high-quality Montessori education in the Triangle. Sterling serves children ages 3–14 across two programs: a private preschool and a public K–8 charter school.
The LHU Board of Directors provides strategic oversight for the school, guiding academic excellence, fiscal responsibility, managed growth, and community engagement. Our directors bring expertise in law, finance, education, Montessori practice, technology, business, and human resources.
Public Meetings
Schedule: Third Wednesday of each month (except July and December) at 6:30 p.m.
- Open to the public: Meetings include a community comment period.
- Records: Calendar and minutes are posted for community review.
To reach all directors at once, email president@lhuf.org.
Board Membership & How to Join
Composition: Up to 15 directors. We actively recruit new members.
Priority skills: Fundraising, communications, technology, marketing, policy/grant writing, law, business development, human resources—especially candidates who reflect the breadth of our community, including parents of current students.
Path to nomination: Attend at least two meetings, then submit a resume and letter of interest to president@lhuf.org.
Roles & Responsibilities
What the Board does
- Defines the school’s mission and vision
- Develops and monitors long-term strategic plans
- Hires and oversees the Executive Director
- Approves policies and actions that advance the Strategic Plan
Checks & Balances
- The Board safeguards Sterling’s financial health and ensures legal and ethical governance.
- The Executive Director leads day-to-day operations, staffing, compliance, and student well-being.
Faculty participation
- Faculty and staff are welcome at Board meetings and may provide input.
- Per bylaws, employees do not serve as directors (conflict-of-interest). The Executive Director represents faculty perspectives to the Board.
Board Calendar
Board Committees
Board committees handle detailed work so the full Board can focus on strategy, policy, and long-range finance. Meetings are open to the public and non-Board members are encouraged to attend. Committee recommendations go to the full Board for approval.
Finance Committee
Partners with the Executive Director on budgeting, financial policies, and annual audits.
Contact: finance@lhuf.org
Governance Committee
Leads board nominations, orientation, and training; maintains Board policies and practices.
Contact: governance@lhuf.org
Strategic Planning & Communications Committee
Develops and updates the Strategic Plan, aligning initiatives with Montessori values.
Contact: stratplan@lhuf.org
Development Committee
Leads fundraising and the case for support, in partnership with the Board, Finance Committee, and Development Director.
Contact: development@lhuf.org
Policy Committee
Creates, reviews, and updates Sterling policies annually.
Contact: policy@lhuf.org
Grievance Committee
Reviews formal grievances that cannot be resolved at the administrative level.
Contact: president@lhuf.org
Ad hoc Committees
Formed for time-bound needs (e.g., Executive Director search) and disbanded upon completion.