Policies Table of Contents

 

Board Policy 3: ROLE of the CHARTER BOARD DIRECTOR

Preamble

The role of each Charter Board Director (“The Director”) is to contribute to the Board as it carries out the mandate to achieve the vision, mission, and goals of the Valhalla Community School Charter. A Director makes impartial decisions based on his/her assessment of the best interests of all VCS students.

The Board is a Corporation (Solo is a “no no”)

The Board of Directors is a corporation. Only the decisions of the Board in a properly constituted meeting are those of the corporation. A Director acting individually has only the authority and status of any other parent of a student, or member of the community. However, whenever a Director is given corporate authority by Board motion to act on behalf of the Board, the Director becomes an authorised agent of the Board, and the Board is responsible for the Director’s actions in relation to the exercise of that corporate authority.

Orientation to Role of the Charter Board Director

The Board may experience changes in membership. For continuity and to facilitate the transition from one Board to the next, Directors must be adequately briefed concerning existing Board policy and practice, statutory requirements, initiatives and long‐range plans. Thus the Board believes an orientation program is necessary for new Directors.

  1. The Board shall offer an orientation program for all newly elected Directors which will  include:
  • 1 Governance role of the Charter Board,
  • 2 Roles and responsibilities of Charter Board Directors,
  • 3 Roles and responsibilities of the Superintendent,
  • 4 Board Policy Handbook, agendas and minutes,
  • 5 Existing initiatives, education plans & annual reports, financial information,
  • 5 School programs and services,
  • 6 Board’s role as an appeal body; and
  • 7 Statutory and regulatory requirements, including conflict of interest.
  1. The Chair is responsible for ensuring the development and implementation of the orientation program for newly elected Directors, while Incumbents are encouraged to assist new Directors in becoming informed about VCS history, functions, policies, procedures and issues.
  2. The Superintendent will provide each Director with access to the Board Policy Handbook and the Administrative Procedures Manual at the Organizational meeting or following the Board’s appointment of a Director to fill a vacancy.

Specific Responsibilities of Individual Directors

  1. Become familiar with VCS policies and procedures, meeting agendas, and administrative monitoring reports from the Superintendent, in order to participate in Board business.
  2. Contribute to the decisions of the Board and ensure due diligence.
  3. Support the decisions of the Board and refrain from making any statements that may be perceived as critical, contrary, or pre-emptive of a Board decision.
  4. Refer queries, or issues and problems not covered by Board policy to the Board for corporate discussion and decision.
  5. Refer complainants to the appropriate administrator and inform the Superintendent of this action. 
  6. Refer administrative matters to the Superintendent.
  7. Keep the Board and Superintendent informed in a timely manner of all matters coming to his/her attention that might affect VCS.
  8. Assist the Superintendent with counsel and advice, providing the benefit of the Director’s judgement, experience and familiarity with the community.
  9. Attend Board meetings and contribute to the decisions of the Board.
  10. Exercise delegated authority within the defined limits in a responsible and effective manner.
  11. Participate in Board and Director development sessions so that the quality of leadership and service can be enhanced.
  12. Stay current with respect to provincial, national and international educational issues and trends.
  13. Cultivate a positive and respectful learning and working culture both within the Board and the VCS community.
  14. Attend school community functions whenever possible.

 

 

Approved:              April 2023

Revised:               February 2024

References:          Education Act s. 33.52,53,64,67,85 – 93,96

Commissioner of Oaths Act s. 6