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THE FUNCTION OF THE
SCHOOL BOARD
The primary role of the Board is to work in partnership with the school to raise the standard of education provided to pupils attending the Dounby Community School.

Convener

•Mr Kenneth Spence

• The Dounby Community School Board is an elected body of parents, teacher and co-opted members of the community.
• The Board consists of 4 parents, nominated and elected by other parents at the school, 1 staff member, nominated and elected by other staff members at the school and 2 co-opted members of the community who do not have children at the school.
• Generally, a member’s term on the Board is held for four years, from 1 December in the election year to 30 November four years later.
• The Head teacher, local Councillors and a liaison officer from the Department of Education and any invited specialist speaker are in attendance. They are not members of the Board but do have the right to be present and speak at board meetings – acting in advisory capacity.
  

• The School Board normally meets once a term to liase with the Head teacher on school operational issues.
• The Board discusses the School Development Plan and is consulted with regard to proposed budget spending.
• Members of the Board take part in the selection of school staff (training is provided).
• Most importantly the School Board has a responsibility to represent the views of parents, teachers and members of the community with regard to the running of the school.

• The clerk prepares and distributes the agenda approximately one week prior to a meeting, having received items for consideration from the Chairperson and Head teacher.
• Any parent or member of the public may attend a Board Meeting; by invitation of the chairperson they may raise their viewpoint on the issue they have an interest in.
• The clerk minutes Board meetings and circulate copies to all school parents with a copy also posted on the community notice board.
• Parents or members of the community can contact School Board members, to raise or discuss issues relating to the running of the school.
• Should a parent broach an issue to a Board Member, it in turn must be generalised at the Board Meeting as individuals or individual incidents cannot be discussed. The member would also invite the person to speak to the Head Teacher directly.
• The Board can make representation to authoritative bodies on behalf of the school, parents and teachers.

“Everyone should get involved in their child’s education”

“I wanted to be part of the running of the school, to have a better understanding of how things are dealt with. And hopefully be able to add some input from a parent’s point of view, which with certain issues can be very different from that of teaching staff. Being on the Board helps you see why changes are made and the advantages to all concerned”