Montessori warns of dire finances and major debts
The country's largest Montessori organisation, which oversees a curriculum delivered to dozens of schools as well as public education programs, is in dire financial trouble and has been for nearly a year.
Montessori Australia, which administers the alternative "human development" teaching method first developed by the Italian educator Maria Montessori, has told school administrators that "financial restraint" was required to deal with "legacy complexities and financial practices that lead to significant debt for the organisation over a number of years".
The confidential letter also reveals "significant concerns about financial processes and debts" had meant the organisation had to be placed in a special structure last July to prevent the board of its subsidiaries — the Montessori Australia Foundation — from being personally liable for the loans.
While those issues were resolved, Montessori Australia in January found "further legacy debt" in another part of the organisation — the Australian Centre for Montessori Studies — and placed that company in a similar structure to allow it to continue operating.
Montessori Australia does not run the country's 38 Montessori schools, but does provide resources, support for parents, curriculum assistance and student record keeping services.
Montessori Australia could not be reached for comment.
The letter, signed by Montessori Australia acting chairman Tony Grasso, was sent on Monday.
The organisation's chairman Anthony Vandermolen, the principal of the Canberra Montessori School, is on leave from the board to directly assist the charity.
"This is important as we are receiving feedback regarding payment concerns and are hoping to resolve all matters amicably and clearly as we develop our new budgets," Mr Grasso wrote.
"Some of our specific commitments in this regard centre around payment of all liabilities through a mutually agreed repayment plan, including all employee entitlements, super and tax.
"We sought external financial advice and are in conformance with these conditions and fully intend to meet these liabilities.
"Everything underway is being done to recover and rebuild from this position and to transform our organisation into a contemporary and value-adding organisation that makes a real difference for you as valued members, and enable steady growth for quality Montessori nationally."
The Montessori method, which the organisation claims is used in over 22,000 schools around the world including in kindergartens and preschools in Australia, encourages more free activity in classrooms compared to mainstream education.