Policies Table of Contents

 

POLICY 5:  ROLE of the CHARTER BOARD CHAIR

Preamble

The Board shall select one of its members at the Organization meeting, and thereafter at any time as determined by the Board, to serve as Chair and hold office during the pleasure of the Board. The Board entrusts the Chair to provide leadership and guidance that will assist the Directors in governing effectively as a group to achieve the vision and mission of VCS.

Dual Role

The Chair serves as both the Chair of the Charter Board of VCS and as President of the Valhalla School Foundation (VSF)

The Powers and Duties the Charter Board of Directors Delegates to the Chair

  1. Calls and presides over all Charter Board meetings and ensures that such meetings are conducted in accordance with the Education Act, the Foundation Bylaws and Board policies.
  2. Confers with the Vice Chair and Superintendent, (the “Executive Committee”) on items to include in the Charter Board meeting agendas and becomes thoroughly familiar with those items.
  3. Acts as the official spokesperson of the Charter Board.
  4. Serves an ex-officio non voting member on all Charter Board committees.
  5. Performs the following duties during Board meetings:

5.1 Maintains order and proper decorum so motions may be formally debated;

5.2  Provides clarity on all issues before the Board;

5.3  Displays firmness, courtesy, tact, impartiality, and willingness to give Directors and the Superintendent opportunity to speak or advise on the subject under consideration;

5.4  Ensures that debate is relevant to the question;

5.5  Decides questions of order and procedure, subject to a Director’s appeal to the rest of the Board; 

5.6 Submits motions or other proposals to the final decision of the Board by a show of hands;

5.7 Ensures that each Director in attendance votes on all issues before the Board unless a Director has declared a conflict of interest.

  1. Assists with the Board’s orientation program for new Directors.
  2. Stays informed of significant developments within VCS.
  3. Works collaboratively with the Superintendent to ensure the School is administered in accordance with the policies of the Board, applicable Foundation bylaws and relevant legislation.
  4. Confers with the Superintendent to develop a working knowledge of current issues from a governance perspective.
  5. Provides advice to the Superintendent on governance matters whenever necessary or as requested.
  6. Conveys directly to the Superintendent such concerns as are relayed to him/her by Directors, parents, or students that may affect the administration of VCS.
  7. Brings to the Board all matters requiring a corporate decision of the Board.
  8. Ensures that the Board regularly assesses its own effectiveness.
  9. Acts as the primary signing authority for VCS and the Valhalla School Foundation as required by the Government of Alberta, financial institutions, or other agencies.
  10. Addresses inappropriate behavior on the part of a Director.
  11. Represents the Board, or delegates a representative to attend official meetings or other public functions.
  12. Acts on behalf of the Superintendent if he/she is not able to act due to a conflict of interest.
  13. Reviews and approves the Superintendent’s vacation entitlement and expenditure claims.
  14. Receives notice of Director resignations.
  15. Signs the Minutes of all public Board meetings when approved.
  16. Signs the Minutes of the AGM and Special meetings of the Foundation when approved.

 

 

 

 

Approved:  April 2023

Revised:  February 2024

Revised:  January 2025

References:  Education Act s. 27,53; Societies Act s. 9, 27