Understanding the role of a school board trustee, December 2015

Understanding the role of a school board trustee, December 2015
Posted on 12/30/2015

This is the fourth in a series of articles about school board trustees. A different article will be featured each month.

DID YOU KNOW . . .
that a key responsibility of a school board is to develop and adopt policies that reflect the board's purpose and goals, and provide the framework for implementing the strategic plan?

At Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board, trustees regularly review policies to ensure they are up to date and relevant. All HPEDSB policies can be accessed online at www.HPEschools.ca.

School boards recognize that the public trust placed in them as a collective body is honoured through determining and enforcing norms of acceptable behavior. Having a code of conduct for school board members is an effective and essential governance practice which promotes public confidence and enhances the effectiveness of the board.

The HPEDSB Code of Conduct was developed collaboratively by all board members. It provides a common understanding about how to facilitate the work of Board members with appropriate authority and integrity and, thereby promote public confidence.

Trustees for 2014 - 2018
Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board is proud to have the following trustees:

  • Dwayne Inch, South Prince Edward County & Chair of the Board
  • Lucille Kyle, North Hastings & Vice-Chair of the Board
  • Tom Biniaris, Trenton & CFB Trenton
  • Mike Brant, Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte
  • Justin Bray, Southeast Hastings
  • Jennifer Cobb, North Prince Edward County
  • Bonnie Danes, Centre Hastings
  • Mary Hall, Belleville & Thurlow
  • Dave Patterson, Belleville & Thurlow
  • Jim Williams, Frankford & Sidney

As a member of the Board, an individual trustee is expected to act within the Board's by-laws, be loyal to the Board's decisions and abide by the Code of Conduct. As elected persons, trustees are also expected to advocate for the interests of their constituencies.

Student trustees for the 2015-2016 school year
Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board also has two student trustees who represent the interests of the student body at Board meetings. They are not members of the Board and are not entitled to exercise a binding vote although they have the same opportunities for participation at Board meetings.

The 2015-2016 student trustees are:

  • Lauren Barry, Centre Hastings Secondary School
  • Morgan Hillier, Moira Secondary School

Source: Good Governance: A Guide for Trustees, School Boards, Directors of Education and Communities, 2014.

For more information, please contact:
Kerry Donnell, Communications Officer, 613-966-1170 or 1 800 267-4350, extension 2354, [email protected]