Board of trustees training
What does the funding for this initiative cover?
This initiative provides $4 million over 4 years for training to strengthen the professional development delivered to school boards across three main areas. These include support for boards’ accountabilities, support for at-risk boards and further support for boards in their role as employers.
Support for boards’ accountabilities
- Includes improved support for boards to act on their obligations towards student progress and achievement, particularly for Māori, Pasifika and students with special needs.
- Improved support for boards of kura, wharekura and schools offering Māori-medium education as they phase in Ngā Whanaketanga Rumaki Māori (Māori medium national standards).
- Improved support for boards to effectively support National Standards and refocus their strategic planning at a level above that supported by the existing appropriation.
Support for at-risk boards of trustees
Funding will also support a new in-depth mentoring service for at-risk boards, through governance mentors to provide in-depth and sustained training and support. This will help boards meet their accountabilities within communities that have difficulty in doing so. Governance mentors will work with boards to help them carry out many of their routine governance tasks and understand their ability to influence student achievement.
Further support for boards as employers
Funding will also support an expansion in the delivery of industrial and advisory services currently provided to boards.
Why do boards need this support?
Boards of trustees provide strategic leadership and direction to schools, creating a policy framework which guides all activities within schools. An effective board sets standards of excellence and accountability for its own performance based on the effect that it gives to the National Education Guidelines and the school’s charter. A board must endeavour to deliver these functions through making the best use of its membership and the time it devotes to fulfilling its functions. This initiative will provide support for boards in performing their role effectively, as well as providing additional support for boards by helping them introduce new initiatives.