Inside the Boardroom at MIS

By Luna G., Emilio G.R., Jonatan L., Chiara R., Grade 9

Out of all the things MIS is known for, the School Board is probably the least recognised even though it plays a significant part in the school’s management and well-being. A considerable amount of their work goes into ensuring that the school keeps improving and that its future stays bright. This article introduces the work of the 12 parent volunteers who oversee strategy and governance – what the Board does (and doesn’t), how it reaches high‑stakes decisions, and why those choices shape our student life. Drawing on interviews with six Board members, we explain the March election process and why it matters to students and invite interested parents to consider standing for the Board or supporting candidates. 

What the Board Actually Does  

So, what does that look like in practice? 

“We do our best to invest in facilities, learning environments, academic programmes, and long-term strategies that all ultimately affect students”, noted Alessandro Centrone, Chair of the Transition Committee. 

A common misconception is that the Board manages the day-to-day operations of our school. In reality, the Board’s main job is to ensure long-term stability, to make sure that the school can continue to exist and thrive. This contrasts with the day-to day operations, which are led by the Head of School and Senior Leadership Team. 

 
“The Board focuses on long-term directions. Day-to-day decisions are led by the Head of School and leadership team,” Board Chair Alejandro Bethlen explained. 

For example, the Board approved our new mission and vision, but it does not decide class length, individual teacher assignments, or which sports are offered in the SLP programme.  

Who are the Board members?  

Who are the people making those long-term calls? They are a group of 12 volunteer parents who bring a variety of professional skills and expertise, such as tech, finance, human resources, or law. Almost all members have children enrolled at the school, which gives them a personal connection to our community. 

When asked to describe the Board in three words, nearly every member chose the word ‘passion’. This highlights how they see themselves: not just a distant group of leaders in the shadows, but a committed team of parent volunteers. Although they are parents, members must remain objective. 

“When I sit on the Board, I take my parent’s hat off and I put my Board hat on. In that role, my job is to think about the school as a whole,” said Board Secretary and Chair of the Education & Strategy Committee Sophie Adelman. 

The Board represents all stakeholders of the school, not just the parents. For example, to include the whole community, the Board facilitated a large-scale engagement event, the Vision Day, for the new school’s Dream Bold Dreams vision. This process involved collecting thousands of ideas from students and staff to create the school’s new mission, Sophie Adelman explained. 

Impact on Student Life 

Here’s where those decisions show up in our day-to-day: Even if Board decisions aren’t posed in the hallways, their work is undeniably visible. Every time you step into the Nexus or the FAB, you’re seeing the results of Board-approved projects.  

 “What the Board does has a very direct impact on the campus and how all the students are using the campus and are benefiting from all the facilities,” Board Treasurer Harald Klug said. 

New facilities are often driven by direct student feedback, such as a recent proposal for a new outdoor centre that began with a student-led video, Alejandro Bethlen said. Beyond campus buildings, the Board makes high-level strategic choices such as whether to remain an IB Continuum school, a decision that affects the entire curriculum from Junior School through graduation, Sophie Adelman said. To stay connected to student experience, the Board also reviews student surveys to track trends and priorities, Tim Trampedach explained. Harald Klug added that the Board has begun planning the next Campus Master Plan, which would replace aging facilities – like the “red containers” and the EC wing – with modern spaces for the next generation of learners. 

How Decisions Are Made 

 But how does the Board actually arrive at these choices? With 12 diverse Board members who meet every six weeks, big decisions start with research in specialised committees. Subgroups try to understand and learn about topics like finance or campus facilities before presenting their findings to the full Board. The Board relies on data, research, and community surveys (including MAP testing results the student surveys you all filled out) to make informed choices.  

While members often bring different perspectives, they view healthy disagreement as a vital tool to avoid group conflicts and to incite better ideas. 

“Different perspectives are important because they lead to better decisions. Once the Board reaches a decision, we align behind it and move forward together,” Alejandro Bethlen said. 

By following the respectful code of conduct similar to our “CRIT” values, Board members solve differences through professional arguments. Ultimately, the Board moves toward a majority or near-unanimous vote; once that choice is made, the entire Board stands behind it as a union so the school can move forward with a single, clear plan. 
 

Call to Action: How the Community Can Get Involved 

 If you or your family want a voice in this work, here’s how to take part. 

“We are not getting paid on the Board. So, we’re using our time and our skills and knowledge to help guide the schools and make sure that it stays and continues to be an excellent place for learning,” Tim Trampedach said. 

That’s why the School Board is looking for YOU! If you are a parent of an MIS student, are passionate about the future of MIS, have leadership experience, and can comfortably communicate in English, you are perfect for this role and you should apply for one of the Board member roles. The application deadline is March 10, with interviews scheduled for early April. Please send an email directly to the Chair of the Nominations Committee, Eva Leconte: evaleconte@mis-munich.de.  

“Joining the Board is also a tremendous opportunity to develop professional competencies by working within a highly professional governance body, while learning about the organisation, pedagogical, and operational model of an international school. It is a unique way to grow professionally while contributing meaningfully to a valuable community”, said Alessandro Centrone. 

The MIS community is very diverse, with many of the students, teachers and parents coming from different nationalities backgrounds and skills. That diversity of experience is exactly what the Board hopes to reflect, as Eva Leconte explains: 

“You don’t want everybody to think the same or have the same job or be the same. You really want the Board to reflect the immense diversity of the MIS community.”