Training available for school Boards of Trustees

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 280, 28 March 1989, Page 12

Training available for school Boards of Trustees

In April 13,500 parents from all over New Zealand will be elected to approximatelv 2700 Boards of Trustees.

The new skills acquired by the parents will have a useful spinoff into other parts of their lives and the communities in which they live. Board of Trustee elections will be held between mid April and April 29. Following the first- meeting of Boards in late May, a training programme will begin to ensure that all

Trustees feel comfortable in their new role. Each Board of Trustees will be given a manual setting out their key responsibilities. The training programme will be based on the manual, covering areas such as the role of boards of trustees, the development of the school charter, employer/employee rela-

tionships, finance and property matters and equity issues. The Department of Education is working with the interim school trustees association to co-ordinate regional and local training through the appointment of a training officer with special responsibility for Board of Trustees training. Over the five months until October 1 when Boards of Trustees will assume their full powers, the training programme will continue as required and it will be flexible enough to cater for any special requirements. For example, on some Boards a

financial sub-committee may be established to focus particularly on the Board's bulk grant. In other cases the whole Board may decide it needs specific help in the area of employer/employee relationships or communication with lts community. The Government has made funding available for Board of Trustee training and it is planned that after January 1990 - when Trustees will assume full financial responsibilities for schools - there will be opportunities for further training and support as required.