Do We Need to Sharpen the Capability of School Boards?

At the recent Associations Forum CEO and Chair Symposium, Lorraine Kerr, President of the New Zealand School Trustees Association highlighted the importance of robust public sector School Boards.

She recounted the New Zealand experience: New Zealand has a system of Boards of public Schools which have both authority and accountability.

According to The New Zealand Trustees Association website:

“The board is entrusted to work on behalf of all stakeholders and is accountable for the school’s performance. It emphasises strategic leadership, sets the vision for the school, and ensures that it complies with legal and policy requirements. Policies are at a governance level and outline clear delegations to the principal."

Because of the importance of public school boards in Nez Zealand, a Trustees (Board) Association (NZSTA) has been established with the following purpose:

"NZSTA is a membership-based national organisation representing the interests of its member boards. Membership of NZSTA is open to boards of trustees of any New Zealand State, State Integrated or Partnership School |Kura Hourua.

School boards of trustees are the largest single group of crown entities in the country, accountable directly to the government and the local community for the quality of education in their school. There are approximately 18,000 people currently serving on 2,425 state and state integrated school boards. Approximately 2,232 school boards of trustees are NZSTA member boards of (92 percent of the total number). 

NZSTA has a contract with the Ministry of Education to deliver a fully integrated range of services free to all boards of trustees to support and enhance boards’ capability in governance and employment. NZSTA is also an active party in relevant education related decisions and national policy formulation, and works alongside the Ministry of Education in negotiating Collective Agreements with unions."

The Association provides governance advisory services along with professional development services for Board Members working within the New Zealand School public context.

I thought that many countries, including Australia, with independent public school boards could benefit from having Associations just like NZSTA - to enhance the capability of their Boards?

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.