Amid the challenge, Montessori shifts leaders

Mar. 26—Leadership at the Pullman Community Montessori is shifting in response to state regulators initiating steps to close the school's doors.

Beverley Wolff, the Montessori's former board chairperson, said the school has a lot of big tasks ahead, and changes are already being made. She added the Montessori and school community are committed to doing what it takes to keep the school open.

Wolff has been replaced by Montessori parent Robin McDonald, though Wolff said she plans to stay active on the board as secretary. Head of School Laylah Bewick handed in her resignation, which will take effect at the end of the academic year. The Montessori has also begun taking a closer look into its finances and school policies.

"We've been hard at work addressing concerns that the commission staff have brought to our attention," Wolff said. "We're working to move forward with the best of intentions to save our school for our community."

The Montessori model is an alternative form of education than traditional schooling. Coined by Italian physician Maria Montessori in the early 20th century, it focuses on children's natural interests and hands-on learning opportunities rather than formal teaching methods.

The Pullman version was certified in 2020 and opened at the Gladish Community and Cultural Center in 2021. It began with about 70 students, which has grown to around 90, and now offers kindergarten through seventh grade. The charter school is an independently operated public school that receives federal and state funding.

The Pullman Community of Montessori is not to be mistaken with the Montessori School of Pullman, which has provided day care, preschool and kindergarten for over 50 years and is also located at the Gladish.

The version for older children has experienced a rough couple of months. Turbulent times for the town's first and only public charter school began this year when about 30 Montessori families called for new leadership and more transparency following multiple allegations made against the school.

Attention from the Washington State Charter School Commission was drawn when it received 43 complaints about the Montessori in January. It began an investigation later that month, and through a lengthy process several violations were found.

Key findings from the investigation included insufficient funds for the school to operate, threats of retaliation from the head of school, unsafe behavior in the educational environment like severe student bullying and other forms of noncompliance with state law.

The commission voted in a special meeting at Olympia, Wash., on March 15 to begin revoking the Montessori's contract. The meeting was a popular one. Around 100 local residents attended and about 30 commented in favor of keeping the school open.

An official notice to revoke the Montessori's charter was issued by the commission Friday, according to Executive Director Jessica de Barros. She said the school has a month to respond. Afterward, the commission will review materials and provide a draft resolution to revoke or not revoke its contract. The Montessori then has 20 days to appeal the draft resolution.

De Barros said an appeal would go through a hearing, in which the commission would take final action.

Wolff said she and others were disappointed by the commission's decision. She said she wasn't expecting it because of the overwhelming amount of testimony in support of the school.

The Montessori expects due process, Wolff said, to have the opportunity of going through the full process to make a case why the community needs the school.

She said the Montessori has started the process to appeal, and is following procedures the commission is requesting.

Along with administrative changes, Wolff said the board appointed two new board members. The school was out of compliance for not having enough members on its board. Before the special meeting it had only four, while a minimum of five is required.

Alan MacPhee, a retired certified public accountant and a Montessori grandparent, has joined alongside Christopher Albany, an engineer at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories and a Montessori parent.

Wolff said the school is aware of the budget situation and is working hard to find a solution. She added the budget is very tight, and as of now the Montessori plans to end the school year with 31 days of cash in hand.

This has improved since the special meeting, in which the Montessori reported only 21 days of cash being on hand, while a school in its third year of operation should have at least 60 days.

Due to the dropping enrollment, she said the school had to let some staff go, which has freed up some room in the budget. The Montessori also expects Gov. Jay Inslee to sign a Levy Equalization Act that would provide the charter, as well as schools across the state, with more funding.

Wolff said the school is confident it will have enough funds to finish out the school year.

"The biggest area of funding is staff," Wolff said. "After that it's rent. We have a finance committee keeping tight reins on our budget, but even though it's watched carefully there's only so many cuts we can make without impacting the quality of the education."

The Montessori has also hired a third-party independent investigator, as requested by the commission, to look into some concerns, she said. It will be working with other organizations to identify other parts to perform a full review.

Administration has also been working on updating the school's safety plan to ensure a safe learning environment, Wolff added.

Lastly, Montessori parents have started a video program for students, families and the community to explain why the school is important. She said it will be a great way for the school community to tell their stories.

Wolff said if Pullman loses the charter, there's a risk it could never get another one. She added the number of charter schools that can open in the state has historically been limited.

"We're hoping that we will be able to remain and have this public free option for parents to choose where their children receive an education," Wolff said. "Without a free alternative, there won't be a choice that works for every family and every budget."

Pearce can be reached at epearce@dnews.com