Policy 2

ROLE OF THE BOARD

As the corporate body elected by the electors that support Elk Island Public Schools, the Board of Trustees shall provide overall direction and leadership to the Division and is accountable for the provision of appropriate educational services and programs to resident students within the Division, in keeping with the requirements of government legislation and the values of the electorate.

Specific areas of responsibility

1. Accountability to provincial government
   1. Act in accordance with all statutory requirements to implement provincial and educational standards and policies.
   2. Perform Board functions required by governing legislation and existing Board policy.
2. Accountability to community
   1. Make informed decisions that consider community values and represent the interests of the entire Division
   2. Establish processes and provide opportunity for focused community input.
   3. Report Division outcomes to the community at least annually.
   4. Develop appeal procedures and hold hearings as required by statute and/or Board policy.
   5. Model a culture of respect and integrity.
3. Four-year Education Plan
   1. Provide overall direction for the Division by establishing mission and values.
   2. Annually approve the process and timelines for the Four-Year Education Plan.
   3. Identify Board priorities and goals at the outset of the annual Four-Year Education Planning process.
   4. Annually approve the Four-Year Education Plan, including strategic priorities and key results, for submission to Alberta Education.
   5. Monitor the achievement of outcomes.
   6. Annually evaluate the effectiveness of the Division in achieving established priorities and desired results.
   7. Approve the Annual Education Results Report for distribution to the public.
4. Policy
   1. Develop, approve, and monitor the implementation of policies to guide the Division.
   2. Provide direction in those areas over which the Board wishes to retain authority.
5. Superintendent/Board relations
   1. Select the Superintendent.
   2. Provide the Superintendent with clear corporate direction.
   3. Delegate, in writing, administrative authority and identify responsibility subject to provisions and restrictions in the Education Act.
   4. Respect the authority of the Superintendent to carry out executive action and support the Superintendent’s action, which are exercised within the delegated discretionary powers of the position.
   5. Annually evaluate the Superintendent.
   6. Annually review compensation of the Superintendent.
6.  Advocacy
   1. Identify issues for advocacy on an ongoing basis.
   2. Plan for advocacy including focus, key messages, relationships and mechanisms.
   3. Act as an advocate for public education and the Division.
7. Board development
   1. Develop a plan for Board/trustee development.
   2. Develop an annual work plan with timelines.
   3. Annually evaluate Board effectiveness.
8. Fiscal accountability
   1. Approve budget assumptions and establish priorities at the outset of the budget process.
   2. Approve annual budget and allocation of resources to achieve desired results.
   3. Approve substantive budget adjustments when necessary.
   4. Monitor the fiscal management of the Division through receipt of quarterly variance analyses and semi-annual year-end projections.
   5. Receive the audit report and ensure the terms of engagement are met.
   6. Approve annually the Three-Year Capital Plan for submission to Alberta Education.
   7. Set the parameters for negotiations after soliciting advice from the Superintendent and others.
   8. Approve conditions of employment for employees/groups.
   9. At its discretion, ratify Memoranda of Agreement with bargaining units.
   10. Approve transfer of funds to reserves.
   11. Approve student transportation fees, school facility rental rates, Alberta non-resident and international student tuitions, and specialized student services fees charged to other school jurisdictions.
   12. Approve the Borrowing Resolution.
   13. Approve the Investment Policy Statement.

Selected responsibilities

1. The Board shall
   1. Acquire and dispose of land and buildings.
   2. Approve the Signing Authority Matrix.
   3. Approve Client Service Centre establishment and termination.
   4. Approve school attendance areas.
   5. Name schools and other Division-owned facilities.
   6. Approve the Division school-year calendar.
   7. Provide for Division recognition of students, staff and community.
   8. Make a recommendation to the Minister for the dissolution of a school council.
   9. Approve contracts and agreements as follows:
      1. Consulting contracts with purchase orders in excess of $350,000 (dual signing authority with the Secretary-Treasurer);
      2. Personal services contracts in excess of $200,000 (dual signing authority with the Associate Superintendent, Human Resources);
      3. The Superintendent's contract; and
      4. Non-compliant transactions over $2,500,000 (dual signing authority with the Secretary-Treasurer).
   10. Encourage the formation of a Committee of School Councils (COSC).
       1. If a COSC is formed, its primary purpose shall be to enhance communications among the School Councils (SCs), the Board, the Superintendent and the community.
       2. Parents with concerns are encouraged to present their concerns directly to the teacher/Principal. School personnel or individual student concerns shall not be discussed at COSC meetings.
       3. Further terms of reference and operating procedures shall be as determined by COSC.

References

Sections 33, 51, 52, 53, 54, 60, 67, 139, 222 Education Act