Roles and Responsibilities of School
Council
Quick Link Index
Members' Roles and
Responsibilities
Chair
Principal
Parent/Guardian
Representatives
Community
Representatives
Teacher
Representatives
Student
Representatives
Role of
the School Board and School District
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Members' Roles
and Responsibilities
For school councils to be truly effective, school council members
and the school community they serve must recognize individual
responsibilities. Section 26 of the
Schools Acts, 1997
outlines the general role and functions of school councils.
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Chair
The chair is elected by members of the school council and, with
the exception of the principal, any member of the school council
can be elected as chair. The chair, in collaboration with the
principal, sets the school council meeting agenda (i.e. determine
items suitable of council discussion). The school council chair
must be very clear on the functions and responsibilities of the
school council and must constantly ensure that school council
discussions focus on improving the teaching and learning
environment for all students rather than focusing on the specific
or isolated issues of any one individual.
The responsibility of the chair is most evident when non-council
members are in attendance and have requested to speak on an
issue. In such instances, the chair must be prepared to tactfully
focus discussion on issues rather than on individuals. The chair
may choose to allot a specific period of time for discussion on
an issue.
As a member of a school council, the chair:
- chairs the council meeting;
- in collaboration with the principal, schedules school council
meetings and sets agenda items (see sample agenda in Appendix
B).
- facilitates collaborative decision-making, seeks consensus,
and resolves conflict;
- ensures council minutes are prepared and make available to
the school community (e.g., posted on the school website);
and
- prepares the annual activity report of the school council for
inclusion in the annual school report.
School council chairpersons may also be responsible for
compilling correspondence and communicating with others on behalf
of the school council. Such communication should follow
procedures as outlined in the school protocol agreement and the
bylaws of the board.
All correspondence and media contact should represent the
consensual view of the council.
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Principal
The school principal is responsible for the establishment and
operation of the school council. The principal may not be chair;
however, he or she may chair the first two meetings until a chair
has been elected. The responsibilities for the day-to-day running
of the school remains with the principal under the direction of
the school district.
Effective leadership is a critically important element in schools
where students are successful at learning and achieving. Current
literature and research support the key role of principals in
determining the educational success of their school and
students.
The principal is the main link between the school community
and the school. The manner in which the principal fulfills
his/her leadership responsibilities largely determines the
attitudes which students and parents have towards the school. As
educational leader, the principal is a key player in promoting
and facilitating a collaborative culture and climate within the
school and the school council.
As a member of the school council, the principal:
- chairs the initial meeting of the school council or, at the
request of those present, a second meeting to facilitate the
election of a chairperson for the school council;
- encourages active participation of school council members in
enhancing the teaching and learning environment of the school, to
increase student achievement;
- communicates to the school council information pertaining to
school policies and practices;
- provides school councils with access to school information
relevant to the functioning of the council;
- coordinates the implementation of the school development plan
and gives periodic updates on the school development process;
and,
- creates a positive climate within the school and the larger
community to support the activities and decisions of the school
council.
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Parent/Guardian
Representatives
Any parent/guardian is eligible to serve as a parent
representative on the school council provided they have a child
attending that school at the time of election and is not employed
as a teacher at that school.
As a member of the school council, the parent representative: ~
expresses the viewpoint of the parents they represent;
- communicates the activities of the council to the other
parents;
- works collectively towards the common goal of improving
teaching, learning and student achievement;
- participates in the school development process with other
stakeholders; and,
- participates in and is prepared for council meetings and
discussions.
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Community
Representatives
A community representative must be a member of the community and
can be a parent of a child in the school. Community
representatives are appointed by school council members. A
community representative brings an additional perspective to
council decision.
As a member of the school council, the community
representative:
- expresses the viewpoint of the community they represent;
- communicates the activities of the council to
stakeholders;
- works collectively towards the common goal of improving
teaching, learning and student achievement;
- participates in the school development process with other
stakeholders; and,
- participates in and is prepared for council meetings and
discussions.
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Teacher
Representatives
Teachers may serve as parent representatives on the school
council on any school their children attend, provided they are
not employed as a teacher at that school.As a member of the
school council, the teacher representative:
- expresses the viewpoint of the teacher community they
represent;
- communicates the activities of the council to the other
teachers;
- works collectively towards the common goal of improving
teaching, learning and student achievement;
- participates in the school development process with other
stakeholders; and,
- participates in and is prepared for council meetings and
discussions.
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Student
Representatives
In a school where high school courses are offered, at least one
high school student must be elected to the school council. For
continuity purposes, it is recommended that at least two high
school students become members of council, one of whom is a Level
II or I student.
As a member of the school council, the student
representative:
- expresses the viewpoint of the students they represent;
- communicates the activities of the council to their
stakeholders;
- works collectively towards the common goal of improving
teaching, learning and student achievement;
- participates in the school development process with other
stakeholders; and,
- participates in and is prepared for council meetings and
discussions.
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Role of the
School Board and School District
It is important that school council members recognize the roles
their school board and the school district officials play as
members of their school community.
School boards are the governing bodies of our education system.
They consider the big picture in terms of what needs to be done
to improve the teaching and learning environment of the schools.
School boards are comprised of a chair and elected trustees.
There are currently five school boards in existence in the
province of Newfoundland and Labrador (see Appendix F).
School districts, under the direction of their director/CEO, are
the operating bodies for school boards, and are responsible for
implementing governance and operational policies developed by
school boards. School districts communicate board policies and
guidelines to their principals. School councils must operate
under the by-laws of their boards and adhere to the school
protocol agreement in place between the school council and the
board.
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