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School governance at St. Michael’s School centers on the School’s Board of Trustees. The Board serves as dedicated stewards of the School’s mission, working in partnership with the Head of School to nurture a strong, vibrant, and caring community. Trustees provide guidance on vision and strategy, ensuring that St. Michael’s continues to thrive for generations to come, while the Head of School and faculty lead the daily life of teaching and learning.
Overview of Operations
Operating within the framework of the Episcopal Church, St. Michael’s School is a ministry of the Parish of St. Michael and All Angels. The Rector, Wardens, and Vestry of the Church have delegated the management of the affairs and policies of the school, in turn, to the Board of Trustees.
The Board of Trustees includes the Rector, Vestry representatives, parishioners, the Head of St. Michael’s School, parents, and other members of the community. The Rector and Head of School are ex-officio (i.e., non-voting) members of the Board. At all times, at least 33% of the voting membership of the Board must consist of members in good standing of the Church of St. Michael and All Angels. New members are nominated by a Committee of Trustees and then approved by the Vestry.
The Board of Trustees does not intervene in the School’s daily affairs, such as curriculum development and hiring, evaluating faculty, or on issues related to daily routines. Instead, the primary responsibilities of the Board, which meets on a monthly basis during the academic year, include three functions critical to the success of the School: it selects, evaluates, and supports the Head of School, to whom it delegates authority to manage the School; it develops broad institutional policies that guide the Head in running the school; and it is accountable for the financial sustainability and strategic goals of the school.
Head of School
Brendan Sullivan
Head of School
Brendan Sullivan is in his eighth year as Head of School at St. Michael’s. Prior to his move to Tucson in 2018, he served for sixteen years as founding principal and president at Nativity Prep Academy in San Diego. Brendan’s professional experience in his thirty-plus years as a teacher, administrator, and coach has been primarily with faith-based and independent K-8 schools. His career in education is grounded in his love for learning, creativity, and care for others, all of which were integral themes for him throughout his student years. A native of Boston, Massachusetts, Brendan is a graduate of Boston College High School. He earned his undergraduate degree in philosophy and English at Boston College; his master’s degree in education at Loyola University Maryland; and his master’s degree in English at the Bread Loaf School of English at Middlebury College.
He and his wife have three children, two of whom are proud St. Michael’s graduates, and the third who is a member of the St. Michael’s Class of 2026.
Board of Trustees
Ian Milliken
Chair
The Rev. Peter Cheney
Vice Chair
Melissa Dolezal
Secretary
Brendan Sullivan
Head of School
The Rev. David Hedges, BSG
Rector
Becoming a Trustee at St. Michael’s
At St. Michael’s School, our Board of Trustees plays a vital role in sustaining the mission and spirit of our Episcopal school—helping to ensure that we remain a community where children are educated in mind, body, and spirit for lives of meaning and purpose.
Trustees are dedicated volunteers who bring diverse talents, experiences, and perspectives to their leadership. The Committee on Trustees (Governance Committee) leads an ongoing process to identify and invite individuals whose gifts align with the needs of the School and who share a deep commitment to its values and future.
Through thoughtful conversations and discernment, prospective trustees learn about the School’s mission and the responsibilities of Board service. New trustees are then nominated by the Committee and elected by the full Board. Above all, we seek individuals who lead with integrity, care deeply about the St. Michael’s community, and are eager to help guide the School forward with faith and
purpose.
For more information on trustee service at St. Michael’s School, please contact the Governance Committee Chair.