BOARD OF MANAGEMENT

HISTORY OF BOMS From 1831 – establishment of National School System – the local clergy had the management function in Primary Schools, along with Principal New Curriculum introduced in 1971 espoused a “child centered” educational system The 1970s also heralded a change in attitude to school management

HISTORY OF BOMS Schools were to be managed by a board in place of the local parish priest This signified an effort to give a voice to the “partners in education” – clergy, parents, teachers However training in management issues pertaining to primary schools was lacking

HISTORY OF BOMS The development of curriculum and pedagogy are obvious necessities in any primary school However the following factors have changed the context of schooling immeasureably: Societal changes Management of what are now complex organisations Involvement of all educational partners Impact of legislation

HISTORY OF BOMS The administrative and managerial functions of the Principal have expanded to the point where they are now equivalent to the management functions of any medium-sized organisation The Rules for National Schools still have a large impact on the administration of schools today, eventhough many of these rules are in need of review

WHAT IS THE BOM? Schools are managed by the BOM The board is nominated by the Patron of the school, must be recognised by the Minister for Education & Science and must operate under the Education Act 1998 and the Rules for National Schools (DES 1965)

LEGAL STATUS OF BOM Membership of a BOM does not, in most instances, expose members to the threat of individual legal action Section 14(2) Education Act

COMPOSITION OF BOM The term “nominee” is important Direct nominees of the Patron = 2 Parents = 2 Principal = 1 Teacher = 1 Extra commmunity nominees = 2 Term of office = 4 yrs

CONFIDENTIALITY Essential to the proper functioning of the board Board should agree on the report to be made to staff/Parents Association at the end of each meeting The conduct of the business of the Board, other than this report, must remain confidential

COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY Following election/nomination the board is expected to function as a collective unit While members may express strong views that may be representative of the grouping/agency which nominated them, the final conclusion of the board on any matter must be supported by all members Voting should always be seen as a last resort at meetings – consensus should always be sought

CHAIRPERSON Responsible for efficient and effective management of meetings Acts as correspondent on behalf of BOM with various agencies Agrees agenda of meetings in advance with Principal Regular consulataion meetings with Principal

RECORDING SECRETARY Communicate with Board members in advance of meetings Keep accurate minutes of meetings Ensure that these are kept safe for the proper functioning of the school and inspection by DES or Patron (usually in the school) Decisions only are usually minuted

TREASURER Usually someone with accounting experience Cheque signatory Provision of statement of accounts at each meeting Involvement in budget planning Annual independent audit of school accounts

MEETINGS Frequency – at least one per term, minimum of 5 per year Once monthly is usual A meeting can be called at any time by Chair or Principal – requested meetings may be called by a quarter of the members plus one

MEETINGS Notification - ordinary meetings = 7 days Agenda and minutes of previous meeting to be included Quorum = 5 members Voting = simple majority, chairperson has casting vote

MEETINGS Agenda Agenda Approval of minutes of previous meeting Matters arising Apologies Financial report Correspondence Principal’s Report Health & Safety Special items e.g., Building Update, School Completion Programme Report etc The agenda will not include an “AOB” section. The reason for this is that Board members will always receive agenda items for discussion a week in advance of the meeting to allow them time to consider their opinion. Issues brought up without prior notice will not be discussed at a Board meeting. .

ROLE OF BOM IN POLICY Legislation & best practise place requirements on the BOM regarding the development of policy in certain areas Depending on the area involved, other school partners may/may not be involved in policy development Board must approve each policy and ensure that an appropriate Plean Scoile is in place

ROLE OF BOM IN SCHOOL PLANNING Section 21 of the Education Act requires boards to make arrangements for the preparation of the school plan and the regular review and updating of that plan Consultation with parents, Board members and/or pupils will take place as required The Principal & Staff will carry out most of this work as a matter of course and submit to the board for approval

CLASS ALLOCATION The allocation of teaching duties within the school is a matter for the Principal Class allocation may be reported to the board as a matter of information

GENERAL POINTS Board members are not there to bring forth the views of member(s) of their constituency, but to bring a voice to Board discussions Any school related issue that a parent may have is dealt with through the usual communication structures of the school and the parent nominee must direct such queries, should they arise, to the Principal

GENERAL POINTS The Principal is responsible for the day to day running of the school and the Principal will report on such activities to the Board Board members must never bring an issue to a Board meeting that has not been previously discussed with the Chairperson/Principal

STRATEGIC PLANNING One of the first tasks that the Board will address will be to develop a strategic plan for the term 2015-19. This plan will be reviewed at end of each school year to ascertain progress and to review as appropriate.