governing Boards

Governing Board Issues

Can a parent be a Community Representative on the Governing Board?

If a Governing Board member has missed 4 consecutive meetings without valid reason, can the Governing Board ask him/her to resign?

What is the time commitment if I become a representative?

The Governing Board feel they need to change the composition of the Governing Board. Can they do this unilaterally?

How much of the fund-raising done by students or staff must be approved by Governing Boards?

Can a parent be a Community Representative on the Governing Board?

Yes, unless he/she is also a member of the school staff. Community Reps and Staff Reps can be parents. On the other hand, Parent Reps and Reps cannot be employed by the school.

If a Governing Board member has missed 4 consecutive meetings without valid reason, can the Governing Board ask him/her to resign?

Section 67 of the Education Act states that the Governing Board must establish rules for its internal management. However, because governing board members are elected, they cannot be removed on the basis of contravention to internal rules. It would be helpful to state in the internal rules, for example, "members will undertake not to miss more than 3 consecutive meetings". Consequently, the Governing Board can ask for the member's resignation. However, if the member refuses to resign, the GB cannot remove him/her for that sole reason.

The best way to deal with that member is to include an attendance report in the annual activity report.

What is the time commitment if I become a representative?

Beyond the regular meetings of your Governing Board, there are monthly meetings of the Parents' Committee, usually 8 in a school year. Should you decide to represent parents' committee at a standing committee of the school board, that adds another meeting a month. As well there is the time it takes to create, write and give reports to your Governing Board and to Parents' Committee.

The Governing Board feel they need to change the composition of the Governing Board. Can they do this unilaterally?

No, the School Board determines the number of representatives in each group, under Section 43 of the Education Act. The composition is then confirmed by Board resolution. If the Governing Board needs to change the composition, it should pass a resolution requesting that the Board do so. The School Board will then normally pass a resolution changing the composition of the Governing Board. This should be done by the Governing Board during the month of June, so that the School Board can pass a resolution in August and, therefore, the Governing Board could implement the new composition in September.

How much of the fund-raising done by students or staff must be approved by Governing Boards?

Any fundraising activity in the school or outside but in the name of the school or the GB has to be authorized by the GB. For example, fundraising activities done by Home & School, on their letterhead, done outside the school, is managed by H&S. PPO (or H&S) activities carried out in the school require GB approval.

Furthermore, the GB, being in charge of the budget, should manage the funds, until these funds are transferred to the School Board to a specific budget code exclusive to their use, pursuant to section 94 of the Act (the Ministry sent a pamphlet on that subject last year to all GB chairs).

Governing Board Chairpersons & Parent Delegates for the current year