A Message from the Head of School & Board

September 15, 2025

On behalf of the Spruce Pine Montessori Head of School and Board of Directors, we are writing to share an update about a recent incident of concern, in which an SPMS staff member made a public social media comment that did not align with our school’s values of peace and non-violence. We have taken ongoing action since that time to address the situation, which has included personnel changes, consultation with outside experts including law enforcement and legal representation, and conversations with families and staff. 

The staff member who made the social media comment is no longer employed by Spruce Pine Montessori School. As a Montessori community, the values of peace and non-violence are fundamental to our educational philosophy, and it is essential that staff uphold and model these values in their communications. 

We want to assure families and community members that no threats have been made against the school. We have been working closely with the Spruce Pine Police Department, which has provided additional patrol presence as a precautionary measure.

We appreciate the patience and understanding of our school families and the broader community during this time. Our focus remains on providing a safe, nurturing environment where children can thrive. We continue to ask that all community members please join with us to work toward deescalation as we prioritize the safety of our community. 

Please direct any questions or concerns to headofschool@sprucepinemontessori.org or boardchair@sprucepinemontessori.org; teachers will be unable to respond as they have been directed to prioritize their day-to-day responsibilities.