Policy 3

ROLE OF THE TRUSTEE

The role of the Trustee is to contribute to the Board as it carries out its mandate in order to achieve its mission. The oath of office taken or affirmation made by each Trustee when s/he assumes office binds that person to work diligently and faithfully in the cause of public education.

The Board of Trustees is a corporation. The decisions of the Board in a properly constituted meeting are those of the corporation. Individual trustees exercise an effective decision-making role in the context of corporate action. A Trustee who is given authority by Board motion to act on behalf of the Board may carry out duties individually but only as an agent of the Board. In such cases, the actions of the Trustee are those of the Board, which is then responsible for them. A Trustee acting individually has only the authority and status of any other citizen of the Division. Individual trustees do not have the authority to direct the Division’s administration and staff.

Specific responsibilities of individual trustees

1. Become familiar with Division policies and procedures, meeting agendas, and reports in order to participate in Board business.
2. Promote positive community engagement.
3. Refer queries, or issues and problems not covered by Board policy, to the Board for corporate discussion and decision.
4. Refer administrative matters to the Superintendent.
5. The Trustee, upon receiving a complaint or an inquiry from a parent or community member about operations, shall refer the parent or community member back to the school or department and shall inform the Superintendent of this action.
6. Keep the Superintendent and the Board informed in a timely manner of all matters coming to his/her attention that might affect the Division.
7. Attend Board meetings prepared to participate in, and contribute to, the decisions of the Board in order to provide the best possible outcomes for education within the Division.
8. Attend meetings and other business of the Board, for example, but not limited to, committee meetings, results reviews, budgeting/planning sessions, and municipal/community partner meetings.
9. Respectfully bring forward and advocate for local issues.
10. Recognize his/her fiduciary responsibility to the Division and act in the best interests of the Division understanding that Division needs are paramount.
11. When delegated responsibility, shall exercise such authority within the defined limits in a responsible and effective way.
12. Participate in Board/Trustee development sessions so the quality of leadership and service in the Division can be enhanced.
13. Stay current with respect to provincial, national, and international educational issues and trends.
14. Share the materials and ideas gained with fellow trustees at an Education Committee meeting, in written format, following a trustee professional development activity.
15. Strive to develop a positive and respectful learning and working culture both within the Board and the Division.
16. Attend school council meetings as assigned.
17. Attend, when possible, Division or school community functions.
18. Participate, when possible, in community initiatives/activities.
19. Attend, when possible, functions of provincial associations of which the Board is a member.
20. Become familiar with, and adhere to, the Trustee Code of Conduct.
21. Report any violation of the Trustee Code of Conduct to the Board Chair.

Orientation

As a result of elections, the Board may experience changes in membership. To ensure continuity and facilitate smooth transition from one Board to the next following an election, trustees must be adequately briefed concerning existing Board policy and practice, statutory requirements, initiatives, and long-range plans.

The Board believes an orientation program is necessary for effective trusteeship. All trustees are expected to attend all aspects of the orientation program.

The Board Chair, Superintendent and Secretary-Treasurer are responsible for ensuring the development and implementation of the Division’s orientation program for trustees.

1. The Division shall provide support within the Board governance budget for trustees attending provincial association sponsored orientation seminars.
2. Incumbent trustees are encouraged to help newly elected trustees become informed about history, functions, policies, procedures, and issues.

References

Sections 33, 34, 51, 52, 53, 64, 67, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96 Education Act