In May this year we will be holding a Board of Trustees election as part of the triennial cycle. Like all schools around the country we will be looking to select a number of parents to govern our school.
All of New Zealand’s state and state-integrated schools have a Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees is the Crown entity responsible for the governance and the control of the management of the school. The board is the employer of all staff in the school, is responsible for setting the school’s strategic direction in consultation with the parents, staff and students, and ensuring that its school provides a safe environment and quality education for all its students. Boards are also responsible for overseeing the management of personnel, curriculum, property, finance and administration.
Many schools in NZ have adopted a staggered election profile, whereby instead of all the Board being elected every 3 years, half the Board is elected every 18 months.
Epsom Normal Primary School proposes to move to a staggered cycle at this election.
Trustees are elected for the full 3 year term (except for the first election where half will stand for 18 months, half for 3 years). This is designed to provide more continuity and avoid the risk of the Board changing completely every three years.
We require interested parents and/or community members to put their names forward as candidates for the Board. In this election only candidates will nominate whether to put themselves forward for 18 months or three years. The intention is for new Board members to serve for a three year term, providing continuity and support for the staff and the students of the school.
By standing for election you are demonstrating your commitment to students in your community. It shows how much you care about and value their education. You do not need to have any specific qualifications. What you do need is a desire to contribute to your community and to be prepared to give up a little of your time.
Please give consideration to standing, it is an important and rewarding job.
You should have already received nomination forms in the mail. Nominations close at noon on 23 April 2010.