What are the responsibilities of the board of Trustees?

The primary work of the Board involves five major areas: planning, policymaking, monitoring, (quality Assurance) communicating, and advocating.

1. Planning – the Board should:
Work with the Operator and the School Principal by advising on the strategic direction and a strategic plan for the school. As well as advise on the annual budget plan that is aligned with the school’s priority goals and student learning objectives, as described in the strategic plan. The Board of trustees should also advise on the professional development plans for staff which is linked to the accomplishment of priority goals and student learning objectives.

2. Policymaking – the Board should:
Establish and regularly review policies that define the Board’s own structure, rules of procedures, communication and decision-making processes, code of conduct and other policies that pertain to the governance function; The Board of Trustees should offer advice to the Operator on the policies of the school.

3. Monitoring (Quality Assurance) – the Board should:
Work in collaboration with the Operator to establish objective criteria for assessing the performance of the operator in managing school operations and the conduct of regular performance reviews. It should advise the Operator on objective criteria for the monitoring process towards school priority goals; Advise on fiscal oversight by routinely reviewing reports on income and expenditures, audits and financial planning documents; Monitor its own performance through the establishment of performance goals and regular self-assessment including improvement strategies such as Board professional development.

4. Communicating – the Board should:
Establish and honor procedures for public and staff input into Board advice and develop a professional relationship with the School Operator, the Principal, and the public. Advise on the school’s complaints procedure; if any stakeholder is not satisfied with the way in which their complaint has been handled by the Principal and the Operator, the Board of Trustees will consider the complaint, by adhering to the school’s complaints procedures. Advise the operator and Principal on how to establish and monitor procedures for regular reporting of student achievement data and progress on school goals to parents and the public.

5. Advocating – the Board should:
Serve as a public advocate for the school, the children and youth who live in the school district. Maintain communications with other policymakers in regard to public policies that impact education and children. Be advocates for Board service and encourage qualified citizens to run for election for the school Board.