


Board of Directors 2023-2024
The Sussex Board of Directors are elected by Sussex Parents and provide leadership in school governance, strategic planning, and long-term school advancement in partnership with the Head of School. The board collectively performs each of these key responsibilities:
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Support of the school's mission, values, and goals.
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Provides counsel, oversight, evaluation, and support to the Head of School.
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Annual self-assessment of the Sussex Board to measure performance and effectiveness.
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Service on board committees or task forces, and active contribution towards the completion of tasks and projects.
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Direct support of annual school fundraising and advancement.
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Approval of Sussex School’s annual budget, tuition, and material business decisions.
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Maintaining governance requirements for accreditation.
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Engaging in long-term strategic planning of the school, and in actions required to see strategic plans to fruition.
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Serve as an ambassador of Sussex School, building awareness and excitement within our own community, and within the larger community about our school.
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Ensuring Sussex School’s commitment to a high-impact board and staff, and a joyful and creative progressive learning community.
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Much of the work of the Sussex Board is done in committees that are open to our community members to join, including: Advancement; Facilities; Technology; and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Please reach out to learn more about the Sussex Board of Directors or how to get involved!

D’Et Heffington, Vice President
Katie James, Treasurer
Uma Healy, Secretary
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Members-at Large
Taylor Brugh
Brent Hildebrand
Kiki Hubbard
Stephanie Lathrop
Melissa Neidigh
Charity O’Connor
Sabrina Smith
Bente Winston, Founder
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Teacher Representatives
Kris Laroche
Joe Johnson
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Student Representatives
Elections in Sept 23
Board Committees
Learn about each committee below.
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AdvancementAdvancement: works in close collaboration with the school’s Advancement Manager in the marketing, fundraising, and development efforts of Sussex School. Please reach out to the Staff Chair, advancement@sussexschool.org, with any questions! All welcome.
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Diversity, Equity & InclusionDEI: Works with the board, Head of School, and Assistant Head of School to establish foundations for the school’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. All welcome.
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ExecutiveExecutive: internally elected each Spring, the Board President, Vice-President, Treasurer, & Secretary meet monthly with the Head of School. Closed meetings.
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FacilitiesFacilities: reviews and updates the facility plans while maintaining our mission and values, and collaborates on short and long-range planning for campus. All welcome.
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FinanceFinance: purpose is to ensure the financial sustainability of Sussex School and provide guidance to the Board for all policy decisions pertaining to financial planning and oversight. It is responsible for recommending financial policies, goals, and budgets that support the mission, vision, and strategic goals of the school. The committee also reviews the school’s financial performance against its goals and proposes major transactions and programs to the Board. Closed meetings.
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Nominating & GovernanceThe purpose of the Nominating and Governance Committee is to ensure that Sussex School is governed wisely and in accordance with the School’s mission, articles of incorporation and bylaws by qualified individuals who are able to provide effective and efficient leadership. The committee proposes a slate of new/renewing board directors and officers to the Board annually, using selection criteria reflecting both the immediate and long-term needs of the School. Closed meeting.
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TechnologyTechnology: Serves as the primary point of contact between the Board and school personnel responsible for addressing the school’s technology needs (as well as planning to address those needs in the future). All welcome.
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Task Force: CovidThis group consists of medical professionals, Sussex administration, and community representatives that serve as a Covid-19 advisory group for the Sussex community. Main objectives include open communication, actions based on science, make responsive decisions, and balance Covid-19 realities with whole-child development and progressive learning tenets. Closed meeting.
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Task Force: Strategic PlanDescription goes here
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Winter Warmer Sub-committeeA subcommittee of the Advancement Committee that focuses on the planning, organizing, and recruiting donations for Sussex School’s annual major donor event held each late Winter. First meeting is 8:45am, Nov 8. Please join us if you are able, we rely heavily on this working committee to plan and host this super fun event. Open to all.