Board responsibilities

A board has a wide range of responsibilities and how well they undertake these responsibilities may determine how successful they are as a board in governing their school. Section A of The Trustee Handbook says that the board of trustees’ key areas of contribution are to:

·         set and, as needed, modify the vision, mission, and values of the school

·         protect the special character/values of the school

·         ensure a sensible and feasible strategic plan

·         approve and monitor the annual plan

·         develop and review the general policy direction

·         monitor and evaluate student learning outcomes

·         appoint, assess the performance of, and support the principal

·         act as a good employer

·         provide financial stewardship

·         oversee, conserve, and enhance the resource base

·         approve major policies and programme initiatives

·         manage risk

·         commit to a programme of professional development that includes new trustee induction

·         build a broad base of community support

·         exercise governance in a way that fulfils the intent of the Treaty of Waitangi by valuing and reflecting New Zealand’s dual cultural heritage

The website content found under this section of the website provides a board of trustees with useful information and advice on how they can exercise these responsibilities, particularly in some of the more generic roles that trustees take on within the board.