Standards and Procedures
The standards and procedures associated with the roles and responsibilities of the Board are:
- Set the strategic direction and long-term plans and monitors the Board’s progress against them;
- The Board leads the annual Charter review process
- The Board reviews and sets the strategic aims by December each year.
- The Board approves the Annual Plan and targets and ensures the Charter is submitted to the Ministry of Education (MoE) by 1 March each year
- Regular Board meetings include a report on progress towards achieving strategic aims
- The Charter is the basis for all Board decision making.
- Monitor and evaluate student progress and achievement;
- The Board approves an annual review schedule covering curriculum and student progress and achievement reports
- Reports at each regular Board meeting, from Principal, on progress against Annual Plan, highlight risk/success
- Targets in the Annual Plan are met, the curriculum policy is implemented and there is satisfactory performance of curriculum priorities.
- Protect the special character of the school (Special Character Schools);
- Special character is obviously considered in all Board decisions
- Special character report is included at every Board meeting as part of the Principal’s report.
- Appoint, assess the performance of and support the Principal;
- Principal’s performance management system in place and implemented.
- Approve the budget and monitor financial management of the school;
- Budget approved by in March each year
- Satisfactory performance of school against budget.
- Effectively manage risk;
- The Board has an effective governance model in place
- The Board remains briefed on internal/external risk environments and takes action where necessary
- The Board identifies ‘trouble spots’ in statements of audit and takes action if necessary
- The Board ensures the Principal reports on all potential and real risks when appropriate and takes appropriate action.
- Ensure compliance with legal requirements;
- New members have read and understood the governance framework including policies, the school Charter, Board induction pack and requirements and expectations of Board members
- 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
- Accurate minutes of all Board meetings, approved by Board and signed by Chair
- Individual staff/student matters are always discussed in public excluded session
- Board meetings have a quorum of one more than half the number of trustees of which one must be either Chair or Principal.
- Ensure Trustees attend Board meetings and take an active role;
- Board meetings are effectively run
- Trustees attend Board meetings having read Board papers and reports and are ready to discuss them
- Attendance at 80% of meetings (min.)
- No unexplained absences at Board meetings (3 consecutive absences without prior leave result in immediate step down) Refer Education Act 1989, s104 (1) (c).
- Approve major policies and programme initiatives;
- Approve programme initiatives as per policies
- The Board monitors implementation of programme initiatives.
- Fulfil the intent of the Treaty of Waitangi by valuing and reflecting New Zealand’s dual cultural heritage;
- The Treaty of Waitangi is obviously considered in Board decisions
- The Board, Principal and staff are culturally responsive and inclusive.
- The unique relationship of Ngati Whatua Orakei with the school is considered.
- Approve and monitor human resource policy/procedures which ensure effective practice and contribute to its responsibilities as a good employer;
- Becomes and remains familiar with the broad employment conditions which cover employees (i.e. staff employment agreements and arrangements)
- Ensures there are personnel policies in place and that they are adhered to e.g. Board of Trustees Code of Conduct
- Ensures there is ongoing monitoring and review of all personnel policies.
- Deal with disputes and conflicts referred to the Board as per the school’s concerns and complaints procedures;
- Successful resolution of any disputes and conflicts referred.
- Represent the school in a positive, professional manner;
- Code of behaviour adhered to.
- Oversee, conserve and enhance the resource base;
- Property/resources meet the needs of the student achievement aims.
- Effectively hand over governance to new Board/Trustees at election time;
- New Trustees provided with governance manual and induction
- New Trustees fully briefed and able to participate following attendance at an orientation programme
- Appropriate delegations are in place as per s66 Education Act
- Board and Trustees participate in appropriate professional development.