Governance
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE GOVERNING BODY AND THE HEAD
A school’s Act of Incorporation, or Constitution, sets out the responsibilities for the Governing Body of a school. Typically these include the management and oversight of the affairs concerning the property of the school, and members of the Governing Body are required to act in ways that promote the purposes for which the school was established. The whole responsibility for the conduct of the school rests with them.
There is no more important relationship in an AHISA school than the relationship between the Head and the Chair of the Governing Body. Indeed the relationship between the Head and all the members of the Governing Body calls for wisdom and discretion.
The Governing Body has the responsibility for the management of the school’s financial and property resources. It delegates to the Head its responsibility for curriculum, selection and management of staff, management of the operating budget, enrolment and discipline of students, and for school activities generally. Typically a Governing Body gives the Head its confidence and allows the Head wide freedom in the exercise of entrusted powers. At the same time, it has the right and obligation to be consulted on any matter of policy that affects the welfare of the school. There is a need for constant consultation between the Head and the Chair of the Governing Body. If there is a difference of opinion between the Governing Body and the Head on such matters, and if efforts to resolve it fail, in the end it is the Governing Body’s view that must prevail. Naturally it is hoped that differences between a Head and the Governing Body of the school will seldom occur. When they do occur they should be easily settled, provided each party maintains the right attitude towards the other. The relationship between the Head and the Governing Body should be one of complete trust. This should show itself in freedom of discussion on all issues, but the Head does need to understand that the ultimate responsibility rests with the Governing Body.
At the same time, the Governing Body should recognise that the Head of the school should not be under the constraint of constant observation and criticism in issues relating to the day-to-day management of the school. The Governing Body should be confident that everything that it needs to know about the state of the school will be brought to its attention so that it can discharge its duties properly.