Warrington School/Board Of Trustees/Board Roles and Responsibilities Policy

Board Roles & Responsibilities Policy

The board of trustees key areas of contribution are:

• Representation
• Leadership
• Accountability
• Employer Role

1. Sets the strategic direction and long-term plans and monitors the board’s progress against them

• 1.1 The board leads the Charter review process
• 1.2 The board sets the strategic aims and approves the annual plan and targets in line with MoE expectations
• 1.3 Regular board meetings include a report on progress towards achieving strategic aims
• 1.4 The Charter is the basis for all board decision making

2. Monitors financial management of the school and approves the budget

• 2.1 Satisfactory performance of school against budget
• 2.2 Budget approved by the first meeting each year

3. Monitors and evaluates student progress and achievement

• 3.1 Reports at each regular board meeting from principal on progress against annual plan highlight risk/success
• 3.2 Meet targets in annual plan, implement curriculum policy and satisfactory performance of curriculum education priorities
• 3.3 Board review schedule covering curriculum and student progress and achievement reports are followed

4. Effectively manages risk

• 4.1 Attend board meetings having read board papers and reports and ready to discuss them
• 4.2 Board meetings have a quorum
• 4.3 Remain briefed on internal/external risk environments and take action where necessary
• 4.4 Identify 'trouble spots' in statements of audit and take action if necessary
• 4.5 Ensure that the principal reports on all potential and real risks when appropriate and take appropriate action

5. Ensures compliance with legal requirements

• 5.1 New members have read and understood: board induction pack; & requirements of board members
• 5.2 New and continuing members have kept aware of any changes in legal and reporting requirements for the school. Board has sought appropriate advice when necessary
• 5.3 Accurate minutes of all board meetings, approved by board and signed by chair
• 5.4 Individual staff/student matters are always discussed in public excluded session

6. Attends board meetings and takes an active role as a trustee

• 6.1 Attendance at 80% of meetings (min.)
• 6.2 No unexplained absences at board meetings (3 consecutive absences without prior leave result in immediate step down) Refer Education Act 1989, s104 (1) (c)
• 6.3 Board papers read prior to attending board meetings

7. Approves major policies and programme initiatives

• 7.1 Approved and minuted.

8. Fulfils the intent of the Treaty of Waitangi by valuing and reflecting New Zealand’s dual cultural heritage

• 8.1 The Treaty of Waitangi is obviously considered in board decisions
• 8.2 The board is culturally responsive and inclusive

9. Approves and monitors personnel policy and procedures and acts as a good employer

• 9.1 Become and remain familiar with employment conditions of school, staff employment agreements and award arrangements

10. Appoints, assesses the performance of and supports the principal

• 10.1 Principal’s performance management system in place & implemented

11. Deals with disputes and conflicts referred to the board as per the school’s concerns and complaints procedures

• 11.1 Successful resolution of any disputes and conflicts referred

12. Represents the school in a positive, professional manner

• 12.1 Code of behaviour adhered to

13. Oversees, conserves and enhances the resource base

• 13.1 Property/resources meet the needs of the student achievement aims

14. Effectively hands over governance to new board/trustees at election time

• 14.1 New trustees provided with governance manual
• 14.2 New trustees fully briefed and able to participate following attendance at an orientation programme

Review schedule: 3 years