Parents' Committee

The Role of Parents' Committee

The committee's major role consists of representing parents' interests within the school board.

The main responsibilities of the committee are:

• to encourage the participation of parents in School Board activities and committees,
• advise the School Board on any matter the latter is required to submit to it,
• advise the board on any matter conducive to the most efficient operation possible of the school board and,
• to inform the school board as to the needs identified by the parents' representatives.

Relationship to the School Board

Two Parent Commissioners, one each for Elementary and Secondary levels, are elected from this committee to sit on the Council of Commissioners. They are officially sworn in. One of them must also sit on the Executive, Finance, and Building Committees.

Other parent representatives selected from among the remaining delegates, sit on other standing committees of the School Board: Policy and Communication, Education, Transportation, Corporate, Technology, and Adult Education Committees.

Representation at the standing committee level is very important. It is at this level that many issues are raised, policies worked out and decisions taken for recommendation to the Council of Commissioners.

Consultation (from section 193 of the Education Act)

The parents' committee is to be consulted on the following matters:

• the division, annexation or amalgamation of the territory of the school board the three-year plan of allocation and destination of the immovables of the school board, the list of schools, and the deeds of establishment
• the policy in respect on the continued operation or closing of schools
• the distribution of educational services among the schools
• the criteria referred to in section 239 for the enrollment of students in schools
• the dedication of a school to a special project pursuant to sections 240 and the criteria for the enrollment of students in that school
• the school calendar
• the rules governing promotion from elementary school to secondary school or from the first cycle to the second cycle of the secondary level
• the objectives and principles governing the allocation of subsidies, school tax proceeds and other revenues among educational institutions as well as the criteria pertaining thereto, and the objectives, principles and criteria used to determine the amount to be withheld by the school board for its need and those of its committees
• the learning activities established by the school board and intended for parents.

Relationship to Governing Board

The parent representative from each school to the Parents' Committee represent the parents of their school. This representative is the legal bond between the parents of the school and the school board. The parent representative acts as an agent for the needs of the school up to the school board level.

While the parent representative sits on the Governing Board of the school and is a liaison to and from Parents' Committee, they reflect a parental view at Parents' Committee. This view can sometimes be in conflict as their opinion may differ from that of their Governing Board.

FAQ

What is the Parents' Committee?

The Parents' Committee represent your interests to the school board. It is consulted on certain matters by law. It functions as a tool for dissemintation of information, provides liaison with the Governing Boards, and provides input when consulted on policy matters.

How do I get an issue of concern to me as a parent on the agenda of Parents' Committee?

Your contact point is the parent representative to Parents' Committee who sits on the Governing Board of your school. She can ask the chair of Parents' Committee that your item be placed on the agenda.

Can I go to the meetings?

Meetings are open to the public. If you wish to speak at/to Parents' Committee you would have to be put on the agenda in the Public Question Period. Inform the chair of Parents' Committee before the meeting.

How do I become a parent representative to Parents' Committee?

The first step is to be elected as a parent member of your school's Governing Board. These parent members are elected at a general assembly called before the end of September each fall by the principal of the school. Once elected, you can be elected or appointed by the same general assembly as the Parent Representative to Parents' Committee.

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.

How long are the meetings?

Meetings are usually 7 to 9 p.m. with a possible extension to 9:30 p.m. by majority vote.

What kind of issues are discussed at Parents' Committee?

A sample from past agenda items shows quite a variety of topics:

• Air Quality in Schools
• Student behavior
• School User Fees
• Operation of Daycares within the school
• Coordination among the schools of meet the teacher nights
• School Playground Safety
• Distribution of MEQ funds
• Grade Six Enrichment Program