Boards should adopt a formal Board Charter that outlines their functions and responsibilities.  In establishing a Charter, it is important for the Board to set out the key values, principles and ethos of the School, as policies and strategy development are based on these values.  The Board Charter should also disclose the division of responsibilities and delegation of powers so that no individual has unfettered powers and so that accountability is clear.

12. Charter for the school board

The Charter should include the following information:

• Board structure – including number, term, appointment and vocation of Board Member positions
• The role of the Chair and Board Members
• The role of the Principal
• Conduct of Board meetings – frequency, place, attendance, quorum and cycle
• Format of agendas for Board meetings, Board papers and minutes
• The number of committees and their structure
• Strategy and goal setting processes, including budgets
• Monitoring of performance and establishment of key performance indicators
• Performance management for the Board and Principal
• Delegations of authority to the Chair, Board Members, Principal or senior management team
• The relationship with the broader community and key stakeholders
• Compliance
• Risk Management covering all areas of operation, including Occupational Health and Safety, privacy, physical risk, security and insurance

These matters are indicative only.  Each School should develop a Charter to specifically meet its own needs.
A sample Board Charter can be downloaded here.

Governance Guidelines

Across the Board

Purpose

Governance

Applying principles of good governance to schools

Legal status of schools

Primary legislation governing schools

Ancillary legislation

Funding and operating agreement

Structure of the school and delegation of powers

The key roles of the school board and its members

Legal obligations and potential liability of board members

Conflicts of interest

Charter for the school board

Constitution of the board and selection of board members

Orientation and ongoing education for board members

Retention of board members

Succession planning

The key roles of the chair

Legal obligations of the chair

The key roles of the principal

Relationship management

Performance management

Compliance and risk management

Board meetings

Establishing committees on the board

Whistle blowers

Additional resources

Appendix 1 – selection process

Appendix 2 – board skills matrix

Appendix 3 – performance management