Board of Directors

Tree of Life Charter School was founded by and is a primary activity of The Beginning Project, a California non-profit organization. The purpose of The Beginning Project is to provide educational services and programs to children as well as their parents/guardians. The Board of Directors currently has four members who meet at least quarterly in public meetings noticed and conducted according to California's Ralph M. Brown Act. They have fiduciary responsibility for the school's operation and repose confidence in the Charter Board Cabinet and school staff for the day-to-day operations of the school. All donations to The Beginning Project or Tree of Life Charter School are tax deductible, and the federal tax identification number is 68-0455188.

Board of Directors 2024-25

President: David Smith-Ferri

Vice-President: Ben Milder

Secretary: Tai Milder

Treasurer: Tom Milder

Board Cabinet

The Charter Board Cabinet is the school's local governing board, which meets monthly to oversee the activities of the school staff, to oversee day-to-day operations, and to support the educational mission of the school. It has eight members who represent the various parts of the school community: a Student Representative elected by the students, two Parent Representatives elected by the parents, the Principal and another staff member elected by staff, two appointed Community-at-Large Representatives, a representative appointed by the Board of the school's founding entity (The Beginning Project), and an ex-officio member that may be appointed by the authorizing school district, Ukiah Unified.

Board Cabinet First Semester 2025-26

Student Representative: TBD

Parent Representatives: Esther Rodriguez and TBD

Staff Representatives: Stacy Strauss and Angela Reglin

Community-at-Large Representatives: Caitlin Etoh and TBD

The Beginning Project Representative: David Smith Ferri

Staff Council

Tree of Life Charter School Staff Council meets weekly on Wednesday afternoons, and for that reason the school is dismissed early on Wednesdays. Staff Council makes recommendations on school policies and procedures, and it directs the school's day-to-day operations, including curriculum, scheduling, staff operations, and financial operations. The staff is represented by the Principal and one staff member elected by staff on the school's Charter Board Cabinet.

Student Council

At the beginning of each semester, each class elects two representatives to Student Council, and the student body elects one representative to the Charter Board Cabinet. Student Council meetings are held on Wednesdays, alternating with All School Meetings. Participation on Student Council provides opportunities for leadership development, and each member has a position with particular responsibilities. Student Council plans and makes decisions about student events, such as spirit days and fundraising events, and they make recommendations for school policies and procedures. The Student Representative on the Charter Board Cabinet represents the students' opinions on Board matters and is the liaison between the student body and the Board Cabinet. All School Meetings are held every other week with all students present to celebrate school successes, discuss and solve any schoolwide problems, and to share short music and drama performances.