The countdown has begun for our school's 2019 Board of Trustee Elections.
Soon our current Board of Trustee’s term will end and some of the current board will not be standing for re-election; therefore we need some new board members. The Board of Trustees represents the school’s wider community and is accountable for the performance of the school. The BOT provides strategic leadership, sets the vision for the school, and ensures that it complies with legal and policy requirements. (Policies are at a governance level and outline clear delegations to the principal). In practice, this involves attending BOT meetings twice a term to review the school’s performance, discuss resource and staffing concerns, ensure that the school’s budget and finances are being managed responsibly, discuss some property issues (not covered by the Ministry of Education) and ensure that the school is compliant with Health and Safety Legislation. Some BOT members are also on committees that meet prior to the main BOT meetings and they present to the board e.g. finance, property. The BOT only influences the curriculum in the broadest sense and BOT members represent the wider school community and not just their own child/family. A BOT provides governance whereas the Principal and her management team manage the school. Being a BOT member is both stimulating and interesting. We hope that some of you consider being nominated.
The School Trustees Elections site has useful information on the role of a trustee at this link:
https://www.trustee-election.co.nz/becoming-a-trustee/
Canterbury Education Services (CES) are providing BOT election services for our school. CES has provided this service to many schools throughout New Zealand. In May nominations will be called to become members of the Board of Trustees.
Key dates are as follows:
By Friday 10th May - Nomination forms will be posted to all persons on the school’s caregiver roll.
Friday 24th May - NOMINATIONS CLOSE – 24th May at noon.
An election will then be held if the number of nominations exceeds vacancies. For our school the number of parent vacancies is 5
Wednesday 29th May - Voting papers will be sent by post to all on the school caregiver roll.
Friday 7th June - Voting closes at 12 noon.
Thursday 13th - June Votes are counted, and our school will be advised of the results.
Friday 14th - June New Board takes office