School Board of Trustee Elections are held every 3 years and 2016 is election year. These elections will be held in May/June this year.  Read on for more information

Over the coming  months we will run a series of articles to help explain more about School Boards of trustees, their roles and obligations and how to become involved.  Further information can be found in the links at the bottom of this article or by contacting our Board of Trustees directly via BOT@Oaklands.school.nz.

Below are some common questions and answers about School Boards of Trustees. 

What is a school board of trustees?

Every state and state-integrated school in New Zealand has a board of trustees. School board membership includes elected parent representatives, an elected staff representative and the principal. If the school has students above year 9, the board also includes a student representative.

What do trustees do?

First and foremost a board is accountable for student progress and achievement to its parents and community. The board has the overall responsibility for the school, in a role of Governance as opposed to the day to day management of the school.  This includes legal obligations covering curriculum, property, personnel, finance and health and safety. Here are some specific things the board does:

• Sets the strategic direction and long-term plans for the school and monitors progress against them.
  
• Monitors and evaluates student progress and achievement.
  
• Are the employers of staff, and oversea matters related to property, finances, curriculum and administration.
  
• Ensures that the educational needs and aspirations of Maori learners, Pasifika learners and learners with special education needs are identified, planned for and met.
  
• Fulfills the intent of the Treaty of Waitangi by valuing and reflecting New Zealand’s dual cultural heritage.
  
• Appoints and supports the principal and assesses their performance.
  

What skills do trustees need?

Trustees are active leaders in their schools and need to work well in a team, ask challenging questions and have good communications skills. Boards need a balance of skills and experiences to ensure effective processes for planning, monitoring, reporting and reviewing the school’s performance are in place. Check out www.nzsta.org.nz/trustee-elections/what-isa-trustee-/ for more information regarding trusteeship.

Who can become a trustee?

Parents, caregivers and people from the wider community can be nominated for election to a school board. Your school will be happy to help you find out more about standing for election or nominating someone else. 

How is a board elected? 

The school staff and parents elect boards of trustees every three years. All parents of students who are enrolled full-time in a state or state-integrated school can and should vote in the elections for parent representatives. Staff members vote for in the elections for the staff representatives, unless they have a child at the same school and must therefore decide whether to vote as a member of staff or a parent,

What help do school trustees get?

New Zealand School Trustees Association, through a Ministry of Education contract, provides free advice and support. They also fund a variety of professional development opportunities for trustees. Your local Ministry of Education office also support and resource professional learning opportunities and guidance to boards

When are elections?

• Nominations will be sought by CES from our community from Friday 6th May.  
  
• Nominations close at noon on the Friday 20th May 2016.  
  
• If more than 5 candidates are nominated, voting papers will be sent to all parents/caregivers on the school roll soon after this date.  
• Voting will close at Noon on Friday 3rd June.   
• Results counted by CES by  Thurs 9th June.
• The new board takes office on Friday 10th June.
  

Further information:

Resources:  NZ School Trustees Association,   2016 Trustee elections website.

You are most welcome to contact  BOT@oaklands.school.nz for further information or attend a Board meeting (dates of these are published in the newsletter and community calendar).