Membership of the Board
Join the IST Board of Trustees
The International School of Tucson is governed by a Board of Trustees that shapes the school’s direction, safeguards its mission, and ensures it remains financially and academically strong for the long run. We’re looking for people who bring real expertise and genuine care for the school’s future, wherever they’re based.
Who serves on the board?
The board is made up of up to 13 voting trustees, drawn from a mix of backgrounds: finance, law, education, nonprofit management, marketing, facilities, and more. What matters most is the perspective you bring and your commitment to IST’s mission, not any single background or role. Some trustees are closely connected to daily life at the school. Others bring an outside view shaped by their professional expertise. Both are valuable, and we look for a board that holds a healthy mix of both.
IST is an independent nonprofit school. We’re not part of a larger parent organization, which means our board carries real weight: enrollment health, tuition assistance, community support, and fundraising all depend on strong governance. Trustees are not required to live in Arizona. If you have the expertise and the commitment, distance isn’t a barrier.
Why serve on the board?
The strongest independent schools are built through the partnership of dedicated educators, engaged families, and committed volunteer leaders. As a trustee, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute your experience, broaden your own perspective, and help make thoughtful decisions that benefit the entire IST community. We’re looking for trustees who are thoughtful, collaborative, and willing to ask good questions, think strategically, and contribute their expertise in service of the school’s long-term success.
Board service offers a meaningful way to invest your time and expertise in an organization with lasting impact, while working alongside others who care deeply about the school’s future.
Board terms
Trustees serve four-year terms and may serve up to two consecutive terms, for a maximum of eight consecutive years. After two consecutive terms, a trustee steps off the board for at least one year before being eligible to return.
Note: for the 2026 selection cycle, the board may elect to offer 2-, 3-, or 4-year terms to stagger membership, as allowed by the bylaws.
Board meetings
The board meets at least six times per fiscal year on a schedule set annually by the board, generally every other month. The executive committee may call special sessions as needed, and standing committees meet on their own schedules to carry out focused work between board meetings. Board meetings are virtual unless otherwise indicated below.
Board meetings for this academic year after selection:
The board also engages in one in-person retreat each year. For this academic year, it will be on January 9, 2027, from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Applying to the board
We run a structured recruitment cycle each year to identify and welcome new trustees. Applications are reviewed by the Board Recruitment Committee, candidates who move forward are interviewed, and a final slate is presented to the full board for a vote.
Interested in joining one of our upcoming virtual info sessions?
Register for August 25th at 9:00 AM
Register for August 25th at 5:30 PM
You can also join us in person and meet current members of the board at both Back to School nights this year on August 13th and 20th!
This year’s timeline:
Want to learn more before you apply? Email boardchair@istucson.org.